History (M.Ed.)

Course description

In the Master's degree programme on the subject of history, methodological knowledge is applied to concrete research situations. Furthermore, the students focus on acquiring knowledge about the specific features of each historical epoch or the research area. Over and above the purely subject-oriented specialised training, special emphasis is placed on imparting knowledge about prerequisites and experiences to engage students to independently teach and enjoy the subject of history.

The course of study is divided into:

• a specialised curriculum:
  Epochs of the modern and the pre-modern (pre-1500) eras are covered in two modules respectively, (Modern Times and Time and Space) in two elective forms of study (4 weekly lecture hours or 2 weekly lecture hours) per subject area (Western Europe, Eastern Europe, outside Europe, economic and social history).
• a didactic curriculum consisting of two modules:
  1. Analysis, planning, implementation and reflection of teaching history in the classroom,
  2. Reflection and research of historical learning processes

Research foci

The research foci include the field of early medieval history, the history of Christian hagiography, the roles of women and gender in history and the issues relating to communication and media. As far as the High and Late Middle Ages are concerned, main interest is directed at the social history of European societies from a comparative perspective and the study of intercultural transfer processes and historical relationship systems. In the area of Modern Times, research deals with environmental, social and legal history, the history of administration, the sciences, crime, and religion, and historical anthropology. The research priorities, as far as the 20th century and contemporary history are concerned, are the fields of political culture of the interwar years and the origin and development of totalitarian systems. The history of the sciences after National Socialism, history of the generations and gender studies are similarly represented.

Language requirements during studies

Knowledge of Latin as well as of one more modern foreign language must be proven by the time of registration for the Master's thesis. It is possible to acquire the necessary knowledge during the course of study: Learning Latin

Language recommendation

Good knowledge of English is strongly recommended.