SSI1 188 | The Tudors

The relatively short Tudor period (1485-1603) is among the most studied and romanticized of any in English history. This era saw radical revisions in government, religion, society, and the arts, as English men and women lived through the birth of Protestantism and capitalism, embraced print culture, experienced new forms of state control and nationalistic fervor, and learned to see themselves in global terms as they founded colonies and trading posts halfway around the world. At the center of these changes were the five Tudor monarchs themselves, all of whom have been the subject of much debate among historians. This course introduces students to the raw materials of Tudor history and culture, giving them practice evaluating different types of primary sources with an eye toward issues of authorship, bias, and audience. The course also invites students to identify and critically assess conflicting claims made in secondary sources, including both modern works of scholarship and popular interpretations, and gives them analytical tools needed to enter into these ongoing conversations. Affiliate department: History.