Areas of specialization (required elective)
In addition to the core area, students are required to choose one of four areas of specialization. The areas of specialization are organized both interdisciplinarily and cross-thematically, which means that students can choose relevant courses in one area of specialization that originally belong to different disciplines. In addition to the core area, the area of specialization forms the thematic focus of the degree program. It allows students to differentiate and individually focus their course of studies.
While the core area must be completed by all students (mandatory), students are allowed to choose their own area of specialization (required elective). The areas of specialization consist of a total of two modules that must be completed: one 6 CP course with a required examination and one OS course with an examination for 9 CP.
The four areas of specialization
Area of specialization I: Narratives, Images, Texts
This area of specialization explores the textual and visual worlds that constitute Europe as a cultural entity. In concrete terms, it deals with the key role of myths and collective fantasies in Europe’s cultural memory. Courses focus on traditions, models of identity, and patterns of conflict that are founded on ‘great’ narratives, images and ideas, and which are organized both imaginatively and affectively. From a historical perspective, the area of specialization’s focus ranges from antiquity to the Latin Middle Ages, and from the differentiation of national-language spaces to the effects of modern mass media on the global dissolution of boundaries.
Area of specialization II: Social Dynamics
This area of specialization emphasizes the social dynamics that have been and continue to be decisive for the cultural development of Europe and its position in the world. It critically examines central problem complexes in Europe such as the role of religion, colonialism, migration, and globalization, as well as hegemonic concepts such as that of the “Christian West”, which characterizes both internal and external perceptions of Europe to this day.
Area of specialization III: Political Constructs
This area of specialization focuses on two interrelated fields of inquiry. On the one hand, it deals with the history of political models as they were invented, appropriated and developed in Europe: ancient republics, empires, the Holy Roman empire, nation states, totalitarian regimes and modern democracies. Closely related to this are questions regarding Europe itself as a political construct, the institutional forms of European integration, procedures that have been developed to resolve internal and external conflicts, and the definition of Europe’s political boundaries.
Area of specialization IV: Science, Technology, Economies
This area of specialization looks at Europe as a historical knowledge space. It deals with the technical, economic, legal, and scientific developments that have shaped modern Europe and established its claim to central pre-eminence in the world. The focus is on critically examining the history of cultural and technological transfer and exchange which has lead to the dissemination of uniform standards, but which has also led to the emergence of new cultural disparities.