While I am pursuing a degree in sciences, I've always wanted to study history and dive deeper than reddit threads, youtube videos, and highschool courses. Right now, I am looking at the history electives offered at my university. I am choosing between.
Europe in early Middle Ages (pre-1000s). Discusses Charlemagne, Islam, and Danelaw? I don’t know much about the Dark Ages.
Europe in the late Middle Ages (post-1000s)
Europe during the Renaissance
Europe during the Reformation
History of Modern France
20th Century Germany
I understand this is not a typical Ask Historian question. But I felt like it's more appropriate to ask history experts than users from my university thread. Which period would you say is both interesting and impactful on the geopolitical situation today? What got you interested in the historical period you specialize in and why? Of the topics above which one would you choose? How are university history courses like? Besides lectures are there debates, discussions, or papers? Any insight appreciated.
It really depends what interests you. I'll say there's a lot of really awful history about the early Middle Ages, a lot of which comes from scientists trying to write history. Just as an aside, the term "Dark Ages" is outmoded and professional historians often try to avoid it. It comes from a period of a strong anti-Catholic bias in scholarship.
20th century Germany would help you understand today's European political situation, so if that interests you, great. The Renaissance and Reformation are often considered landmarks in the development of what we consider "Western culture," or to use a more fraught term, modernity.
I'm a historian of 19th/20th century American medicine. I got into this field because, originally, I was a pre-med, but it turned out I didn't get along with organic chemistry (nor it with me). I applied to grad school for history of early modern science and did get in to a top program, but I found that my potential advisor wasn't the best match for my interests and professional development. Also, the early modern job market is miserable.
Virtually every course requires you to write at least one paper.
My personal favorite is Europe in the Renaissance. The politics of the HRE vs France and others is fascinating. And the rapid development of warfare technology is unparalleled until the 1900s.
If the class is about art then avoid it. I think it is a flaw in our education system to focus on the artistic advancement as the primary history of the age, because they were not truly relevant for some time. When Machiavelli wrote his "Art of War" it was immediarly published and distributed around Europe. While new art techniques didn't reach the average consumer for decades or centuries.
My favorite book that inspired my thesis was "The Renniassance at War" by Thomas Arnold. It chronicles the developments of warfare and how they shaped the political landscape of Europe.
As for comparing other course options with the Renaissance course, I would bet that it will contain info and references that are harder to come by outside a college course. While some of the more popular or studied fields have great material for non historians to jump into.