Henry VIII

Programme details

The course is broken down into 10 units over 10 weeks, each requiring approximately 10 hours of study time. The following topics are covered:

1. Introduction to the Reign of Henry VIII

2. The Young King

3. Cardinal Wolsey and the first two decades of Henry VIII’s reign

4. The Divorce of Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon

5. The Henrician Reformation

6. Henry’s Administration and Government

7. Politics and Faction, 1529-1540

8. Henrician Foreign Policy

9. Culture and Politics

10. The End of the Reign

We strongly recommend that you try to find a little time each week to engage in the online conversations (at times that are convenient to you) as the forums are an integral and very rewarding part of the course and the online learning experience.

Level and demands

This course is open to all, and no prior knowledge is required.

This course is offered at FHEQ level 4 (first year undergraduate level), and you will be expected to engage in independent study in preparation for your assignments. Our 10-week Short Online Courses come with an expected total commitment of 100 study hours.

English Language Requirements

We do not insist that applicants hold an English language certification, but we warn that they may be at a disadvantage if their language skills are not of a comparable level to those qualifications listed on our website. If you are confident in your proficiency, please feel free to enrol. For more information regarding English language requirements, please see here.

Course aims

This course aims to:

• Provide a comprehensive study of the life and reign of Henry VIII.

This course will enable participants to:

• Assess the key changes and developments in institutions and society in the period.
• Evaluate the personality of this controversial king and its impact on politics, religion and society.
• Develop historical skills through the analysis of primary sources and historiography.

IT requirements

This course is delivered online; to participate, you must be familiar with using a computer for purposes such as sending email and searching the Internet. You will also need regular access to the Internet and a computer meeting our recommended minimum computer specification.

Programme details

The course is broken down into 10 units over 10 weeks, each requiring approximately 10 hours of study time. The following topics are covered:

1. Introduction to the Reign of Henry VIII

2. The Young King

3. Cardinal Wolsey and the first two decades of Henry VIII’s reign

4. The Divorce of Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon

5. The Henrician Reformation

6. Henry’s Administration and Government

7. Politics and Faction, 1529-1540

8. Henrician Foreign Policy

9. Culture and Politics

10. The End of the Reign

We strongly recommend that you try to find a little time each week to engage in the online conversations (at times that are convenient to you) as the forums are an integral and very rewarding part of the course and the online learning experience.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be expected to:

• Understand the key historical developments of the reign of Henry VIII.
• Judge the character of the king and the bearing this had in the context of a personal monarchy.
• Use selected texts and documents to develop and support historical arguments.

By the end of this course, students will be expected to have gained the following skills:

• The ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the key issues explored.
• The ability to write analytical and critical evaluations of the political, religious and cultural shifts during the reign of Henry VIII.
• The ability to assess the role of personality in history, amid the many conflicting views of Henry’s character and its impact.
• The ability to effectively analyse documentary evidence, and to organise and deploy information in written work and in discussions.

Assessment methods

You will be set two pieces of work for the course. The first 500-word assignment is due halfway through your course. This does not count towards your final outcome, but preparing for it and the feedback you are given will help you prepare for your assessed piece of work of 1,500 words due at the end of the course. The assessed work is marked pass or fail.

Dr Stephen Bates

Assessment methods

You will be set two pieces of work for the course. The first 500-word assignment is due halfway through your course. This does not count towards your final outcome, but preparing for it and the feedback you are given will help you prepare for your assessed piece of work of 1,500 words due at the end of the course. The assessed work is marked pass or fail.

Level and demands

This course is open to all, and no prior knowledge is required.

This course is offered at FHEQ level 4 (first year undergraduate level), and you will be expected to engage in independent study in preparation for your assignments. Our 10-week Short Online Courses come with an expected total commitment of 100 study hours.

English Language Requirements

We do not insist that applicants hold an English language certification, but we warn that they may be at a disadvantage if their language skills are not of a comparable level to those qualifications listed on our website. If you are confident in your proficiency, please feel free to enrol. For more information regarding English language requirements, please see here.

Fees

Please use the ‘Book now’ button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form.

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