Master 1 subject

History, Master 1 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
Master of Arts
Start
Winter- and summer semester
Duration
4 semesters
Classroom language
German
What's it all about?
This degree programme is unique, because ...
at RUB, students have the opportunity to grasp, understand and assess historical contexts in elective modules as part of their Master’s degree.
It provides the opportunity to specialise in the following fields ...
  • the early modern period, through specialisation in early modern sub-eras
  • antiquity and the middle ages, according to personal preferences
  • individual regions (e.g. Eastern Europe, North America, Turkey)
  • systematic research (e.g. economic history, gender history, history of the Ruhr/social movements (ISB)
  • interdisciplinary and international research (IDG, MMZ, CERES, Gender Studies etc.)
  • a German-French degree course with double degree (Bochum-Tours)
  • Women's and Gender History (Master MATILDA)
Course schedule
Module handbook
Who is suited?
Those who wish to enrol in this degree programme,

Have:

  • the awareness that history can only be understood as a whole, not in terms of a period of time
  • an understanding that it takes more than knowledge of dates to make a fair assessment of a historical fact
  • a broad historical and methodological understanding
  • highly developed ability to present technical contents
  • advanced language skills
  • an interest in current research discourses

Enjoy:

  • developing their own ideas and research theses
  • discussions of historical topics
  • intensive, in-depth examination of various historical issues that are still relevant today

Struggle through:

  • advanced sources and specialist literature, including those in foreign languages
  • challenging research contexts
  • writing numerous papers and preparing oral presentations
This degree programme is suited for graduates in the following subjects
  • History (B.A.)
Graduates from this degree programme frequently work
  • in professions where history is traditionally taught (e.g. museums, memorials, archives)
  • at universities in history departments
  • 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: 4 weeks

Studying abroad ... is recommended. It is done from the 2nd 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

Bachelor 2 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.