This course surveys environmental, economic development, intellectual, social and political changes in Europe since the 15th century, including secularization, urbanization, industrialization, the development of social welfare states and the separation of powers, etc., in order to show what Europeans of the last several centuries faced in common and what their descendants today inherit. Utilizing a rather socio-economic approach, the course begins with the investigation of the environmental changes and material progress in this period, before discussing non-material changes such as social inequalities, religions, politics, etc. in detail. Emphasis will also fall on the changing role of Europe in the global context, where Europe and other continents were integrated into one single entity in the modern era.