European Urban and Cultural History

Overview courses

• Amsterdam: a Historical introduction

  This course introduces urban history and urban studies concepts and theories by applying them to Amsterdam and by drawing comparisons with other cities, focusing on the period 1000-2000. 

  Here we deal with questions like: How did towns develop? What plans existed for city development and who decided about choices? What were and still are characteristic buildings? What can urban public space be, how do we use and experience it, how is it designed and constructed, and how is it transformed? Who migrated to towns and who lived where?

  We have lectures and readings and explore Amsterdam on city tours on foot and by bike weekly. The written exam is in October, the written resit is in early January.

• European Cultural History

  The long-distance covered by humanity has resulted in the world we are in today. Throughout the past, people and movements have worked towards offering the world a different face. Without the close study of that past, much of the present world cannot be understood. This course presents a concise overview of the major episodes in European cultural history, from Classical Antiquity and the Middle Ages to early modern, modern and contemporary history, thereby highlighting the links with art and culture.

• Amsterdam: Jewish Culture

  There has been a Jewish presence in Amsterdam since the late 16th century, and Jews have been one of the city’s most visible ‘minority’ groups. In this seminar, students will learn about this rich history, not just by reading and attending lectures, but also by excursions throughout the city. The class will visit well-known and less well-known sites of Jewish cultural heritage such as cemeteries, synagogues, and neighbourhoods. The diversity within the Jewish population of Amsterdam will be highlighted, historically and in the contemporary period.

• Dutch Literature and Culture of the Golden Age

  In this course, you will acquire an in-depth knowledge of the literature and culture of the Dutch Golden age – the age of Rembrandt and Vondel – and study original texts and artworks.

• History of emotions

  The history of emotions is a booming field of interest amongst historians. During this course you explore how emotional cultures were shaped by the increasingly complex societies of urbanizing Europe in the early modern period.