Bachelor 2 subject

History, Bachelor 2 subject

  • How do we know anything about historical events?
  • How are historical events evaluated today?
  • To what extent can this reception reveal something about contemporary societies?
  • What is history in the first place? Who writes and relates history, and did the things we learn from sources and history books truly happen like that?
  • What is memory culture, what is collective memory? Do we need monuments and memorials?
  • Why is the First Crusade still relevant in the 21st century?In what way can it be problematic to name streets or places after historical figures?
André Heckmann

Working independently is what I enjoy most in my degree programme. Being able to delve into a subject you're interested in is great!

– André Heckmann, Bachelor's degree
Full interview

Profile
Degree
Bachelor of Arts
Start
Winter- and summer semester
Duration
6 semesters
Classroom language
German

2-Subject Bachelor Programme
This degree programme requires a second subject for which advanced knowledge of German language is mandatory.
Table of combinations
Information on enrollment/application for German applicants

Information on enrollment/application for German applicants

Get information now
Application information for international applicants

Application information for international applicants

Get information now
What's it all about?
This degree programme is unique, because ...
at RUB, students have the opportunity to grasp, understand and assess historical contexts, firstly through the cross-epochal IPS and later in elective fields that provide numerous specialisation options.
It provides the opportunity to specialise in the following fields ...
  • antiquity, the middle ages, and the early modern period
  • individual regions (e.g. Eastern Europe, North America, Turkey)
  • systematic research (e.g. economic history, gender history)
  • practical professional training
  • history of the Ruhr/social movements(ISB)
  • interdisciplinary and international research
Course schedule
Module handbook
Who is suited?
Those who wish to enrol in this degree programme,
has:

  • an interest in historical contexts
  • above-average knowledge of the German language in spoken and written form
  • enjoyment of critical thinking, discussions and of developing content with others
  • enjoyment of reading, including historical sources and specialist texts
  • language skills

enjoys:

  • critical analysis of historical facts and their reception in the present
  • learning about historical worlds, societies and cultures
  • developing their own ideas and argumentation strategies
  • working out and presenting historical topics without supervision
  • writing (specialist) texts
  • creating presentations alone and/or in groups

struggles through:

  • the Integrated Proseminar (IPS), learning the basics of history in the first two semesters as well as research skills that are valuable outside the history degree
  • a lot of (exiting) specialist literature
  • various sources, including foreign-language ones
  • the tools of the historian necessary to analyse, present and classify historical events

Graduates from this degree programme frequently work
  • as teachers (through optional modules relevant for the M.Ed. degree) at schools (grammar school, comprehensive school, upper secondary level II, i.e. schools of the Gymnasium and Gesamtschule type)
  • in professions where history is taught (e.g. museums, memorials, archives)
  • in the media sector (print, radio, television)
  • in libraries
  • in the further education sector and in public relations
And else?
An internship ...

is recommended. It is done during the degree course.
Duration: min. 4 weeks

Studying abroad ... is recommended. It is done from the 3rd or 4th semester.
Duration: 1 semester
Where do I find help?
Academic advisory office

Studienberatung Geschichte
Website academic advisory office

Contact students

Fachschaft Geschichte
Building, Room: GA 5/37
Phone: +49 (0)234 / 32-27896
Email:
Website Fachschaft

Internet

Degree programmes' website

Other degree programs in the subject

Master 1 subject
Master 2 subject
Master of Education
André Heckmann
André Heckmann is a first-year student of History. He is pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree, 2-subject programme. André's other discipline is Romance Studies Spanish.

What made you choose this degree programme?

I developed a keen interest in history during my final school years and I knew instantly that this subject would suit me well.

In which respect have or haven’t your expectations been fulfilled?

My expectations, which are shared by many, namely that a lot of reading will be required, were confirmed within the first two weeks. But it is still quite manageable. What I found surprising was the excellent way in which the initial integration of new students was solved by proving Integrated Proseminars (IPS), where many activities take place in a classroom context. This approach resembles a schoolroom situation, whilst, at the same time, easing your way into university structures.

Which aspect of your degree programme do you enjoy most?

Being able to work in an independent manner, no doubt about that! Being able to delve into a subject you're interested in is great.

What has been your biggest challenge to date?

Researching non-German language literature. Students who speak several languages do have a clear advantage in that regard.

What would you like to become after completing your degree?

Postdoc researcher at a university, researching and passing on the topics I'm interested in.

Which advice would you like to give to students who consider enrolling in this degree programme?

You've got to be aware that there is a lot of reading to do; if you're not, this degree programme will be torture. Moreover, you will be doing yourself a favour by routinely preparing for and revising lectures.