Studying History in Münster

Information leaflet
for ERASMUS students

Deutsche Version

1. The Departments of History in Münster
2. Introduction to the Department
   
   1. School of Ancient History
   2. History Department
   3. Institute of Didactics
3. The Departmental Libraries
   1. School of Ancient History
   2. History Department
   3. Institute of Didactics
4. Studying History in Münster
   1. ECTS
   2. Types of course taught
   3. Types of course work
   4. Further important information
   5. Important and helpful documents
5. The Student Union
6. Location of important buildings
7. Contact / Disclaimer

1. The Departments of History in Münster

The Department of History and Ancient History of Universität Münster would like to welcome you to Münster. We congradulate you on your choice to study in an internationally renouned faculty at one of the largest and most significant German universities.
The Study of History in Universität Münster has a long and eminant tradition. We have in the past, and continue to offer today, a variety of specialist Schools and Institutes, Departments and research opportunites unique in Germany.
A list of well known historians have taught and continue to teach at the university. The sturdy of History in Münster holds a leading national and international postion in many research fields.
Through the use of electronic media, the Schools of History in Universität Münster has taken on national pioneering work.
The Department of History in Universität Münster combines a series of schools. These are the School of Ancient History, the School of the Byzantine Empire, the Historical Research Department, the School of the Middle Ages, the School of middle latin Philology, School of Modern History and the School of Eastern European History. The close connection between intensive spezialist research and the sheer breadth of the teaching courses offered is characteristically a part of each Department.
The Department of Histroy and Ancient History also have a large network of partner universities. This comprises of 34 universities in 16 European countries and thus assures an active academic exchange.

Further Information
geschichte.uni-muenster.de/

2. Introduction to the Department

2.1 School of Ancient History

Research and teaching in the School of Ancient History / Institut for Epigraphy chronologically span the period from the Mycenean period to Late Antiquity and geographically span from the Far Orient to the North west province of the Roman Empire. Of particular benefit to students is the high profile of the study of Antiquity in Universität Münster, the likes of which cannot be found across Germany. Numerous interdisciplinary courses are offered.

Further Information
geschichte.uni-muenster.de/AG/

Prof. Dr. Peter Funke

Research Focus: History of the Greek State in Hellenic and Classic Times; Confederation and Federations in Classical and Hellenic Times; Historical Geography.

Teaching Focus: Greek History from the Mycenean to the Hellenic period; Ancient Consititutional History of Northwest Greece.

Prof. Dr. Johannes Hahn M.A.

Research Focus: Social, cultural and religious History of Greece and Rome; ancient Sciences and Philosophy. Current Research: Late Antiquity (3^rd to 6^th century A.D.)

Teaching Focus: Greek and Roman history, especially social, cultural and religious themes; Roman epigraphy with special reference to Imperial Rome and Late Antiquity.

Prof. Dr. Elmar Schwertheim

Research Focus: Interdiciplinary research on Epigraphy and Archaology; archaological digs in Alexandria Troas in in Turkey.

Teaching Focus: Ancient History with specific reference to the Hellenic History, the History of Asia Minor and History of Religion.

Prof. Dr. Norbert Ehrhardt

Research Focus: Political History (the Greek States; the Roman Republics); ancient authors and teaching of tradition; greek epigraphy (epigraphical participant in the german archaological dig in Milet).

Teaching Focus: Greek History; History of the Roman Republic; Greek and Latin epigraphy.

2.2 The History Department

2.2.1 Medieval History

Research into the Middle Ages at Universität Münster - covering the period from the 5^th to the 15^th century - holds a leading national and international position. To date, many groundbreaking innovations have been published.

Further Information
geschichte.uni-muenster.de/MA/

Professorship I:

Prof. Dr. Gerd Althoff

Research and Teaching Focus: Functionality of the State in the Middle Ages, Conflict behaviours and reconciliation in the Middle Ages, forms and framework of public communication, social bonds.

Professorship II:

Prof. Dr. Martin Kintzinger

Research Focus: History of Knowledge, History of Knowledge, Social History of Knowledge, Social History of Academics and Cultural History of Knowledge society in the Middle Ages, History of international relations, History of the late medieval period, the History of France in the late medieval period, the History of perception of the mediaval period in modern period.

Teaching Focus: Medieval History in all sub-eras, by means of examples of research themes and also current public fields of interest in the History of Political Power and Church History, Cultural and Economic history and Social History.

2.2.2 Early Modern and Modern History

The subject matter of the Early Modern and Modern Histroy is the period in Modern Times from the 16 century to the present. The teaching and research possibilities at Universität Münster are proportionally wide-ranging.

Further Information
geschichte.uni-muenster.de/NZ/

Professorship I:

The Early Modern Period is an ambivalent period: much appears unfamiliar even strange to us. On the other hand, it is here that the beginnings of what we consider modern originate. In our professorship this ambivalence is researched and taught. We are particularly intestested in symbols and rituals and pursue the question of how the social reality of the time shaped the period.

Prof. Dr. Barbara Stollberg-Rilinger

Research and Teaching Focus: Social and cultural history of corporate society, Constitution and political culture of the Holy Roman Empire. German national, socio-political rituals and ceremonies in early modern times, the history of concepts and ideas of early modern times, this history of the Enlightenment in Europe.

Professorship II:

The professorship is concerned with the modern German and European History from the French revolution to the 1960´s, a main focus being the National Socialist period.

Prof. Dr. Hans-Ulrich Thamer

Research Focus: National Socialism and European fascism; The History of Ideas and the Social History of France in the 18th and 19th centrury; Cultural history of collections, exhibitions and Museums.

Teaching Focus: Modern German and European social, cultural and political History; Contempory History.

2.2.3 Social and Economic History

We see Social and Economic History as an empirical discipline, to which quantitative methods can be applied and with whose theories the economic scientists, Sociologists and Socioanthropologists can work. We communicate this concept in our tutorials and also in our graduate level courses.

Further Information
geschichte.uni-muenster.de/SW/

Prof. Dr. Ulrich Pfister

Research and Teaching Focus: German and International Economic History of the late 19^th and 20^th centuries, rural Social History of the 18^th and 19^th centuries with focus on the field of the family, agrarian history and rural textiles.
 

2.2.4 Westphalian Regional History

Rural History carries across many of the concepts of historical research to the region of Westphalia. It also offers "general History" the possibility of new interpretations of particular topics in the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Period. By comparing to regional history our view of general history is influenced and therefore has an important place in the self-image of the department

Further Information
geschichte.uni-muenster.de/LG/

Prof. Dr. Werner Freitag

Research Focus: Religious Conversions, the History of the Town, Regional History of Westphalia and Saxony-Anhalt, the Theory of Regional History.

Teaching Focus: Westphalian History in the medieval period, early modern times and Modern times.

2.2.5 Eastern European History

In Münster the study of "Eastern European History" deals with the geographical region which now comprises of the states of Pland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lituania, Belarus, Ukraine and Russia. The eastern Central European region with Poland and the Balkans along with Russia, Belarus and the Ukraine are given particular attention in the Middle Ages.

Further Information
geschichte.uni-muenster.de/OE/

Prof. Dr. Eduard Mühle

Research Focus: Early and high medieval formation of the aristocracy, the development of settlement and towns in East and West slavonic regions, the historiographical history of germano-central eastern Europe in the late 19th to 20th century, in addition the contempory History of Eastern central Europa and this History of Baltic forced migration.

Teaching Focus: Eastern European History from the early middle Ages to contempory Times, focusing on the Middle Ages and the 20th century; the use of structural, cultural and comparative historical examination of the connection between problems.

2.2.6 The History of International Relations

The History of International Relations deals with the historical development of international relations in the 19th and 20th centuries with reference to the variety of fields of study: foreign policy, foreign economic policy, cultural and military history, in addition to the historical development of international organisations, institutions and regimes.

Further Information
geschichte.uni-muenster.de/IN/

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Rolf Ahmann

Research and Teaching Focus: international politics in Europe and Asia in 19th and 20^th centuries; German, British and Russian/Soviet foreign policy and foreign trade policy, in addition to other states in the 19^th and 20^th centuries; historical Peace and Conflict research; History of security policy, modern international regimes and international organisations; the development of the oriental question, central asian question and European integration

2.2.7 Non-European History

The spread of globalisation has made the knowledge of the world and of global structures more important. This is true also of History. The area of „non-European History" deals mainly with the historical development of America. In doing so, it focuses on a continent which - through early colonisation by European powers - became part of an atlantic ststem that links Europe, America and Africa.

Further Information
geschichte.uni-muenster.de/AE/

Prof. Dr. Silke Hensel

Focus of Research: Migration in Latin America and USA in the 19th and 20th centuries, Racism, Dependence and the formation of Nation States in Latin America.

Focus of Teaching: Social, Political and cultural History of Latin America, History of USA in the 19th and 20th centuries, international and transnational history of Latin America and USA, Imperialism and Decolonisation

2.3 Institute of Didactics

The Institute of Historical Didactics mirrors how a modern history department sees itself and examines - in the framework of historical culture - public interaction with History in the past and present and examines this in the field of Teaching and Learning research of theoretical concepts, social historical terms and the process of learning and teaching in a historical and socio-erpirical perspective.

Further Information
geschichte.uni-muenster.de/DI/

Prof. Dr. Saskia Handro

Focus of Research and Teaching: Historical Teaching and Learning Research applies itself on the one hand to the research of the History of History teaching and on the other hand to the theoretical and empirical analysis of Teaching and Learning processes in the teaching of History.

Prof. Dr. Bernd Schönemann:

Focus of Research and Teaching: Historical culture as a social system is an institutional, professional, median and targeted structure with historical and current perspectives on the subject of Research and Teaching and is examined in its relationship to the scholastic teaching of history.

Further information
http://geschichte.uni-muenster.de/institute/

3. The Departmental Libraries

The Libraries for the departments of History and Ancient History and of other department sections (Westphalian Regional History, Eastern European History, Social and Economic History, Near present History of Great Britian and the Commonwealth) are to be found in the Fürstenberghaus. Other libraries (Workplace Greece, interdisciplinary Cypress studies, comparative state history) can be found in other locations in the city centre. The Instututes library contains more than 100,000 volumes and counts as one of the largest of its kind in Germany.

3.1 Department of Ancient History

The combined Library of the Institute of Classical Philology, the department of Ancient History and the Institute of Epigraphy - located in Fürstenburghaus - has over 69,000 volumes and thereby offers the user a broad spectrum literature on the study of scholastic Antiquity. 132 current journal titles are available. Alongside German titles, the library offers many monographs and journals in the english, italian and french languages in its current catalogue.
Spezialist collections on regions and themes can be found next to comprehensive collections on the history of Greece and Rome. Specialist areas include the Roman privinces, Late Antuiuity and Byzantine Period, Oriental Languages, Literature and History, Social History in Antuiuity.
Special sections form a papyriological collection with comprehensive sourse editions and Epigraphy, alongside the body of Greek, Latin and persion inscriptions.

Further Information
geschichte.uni-muenster.de/AG/bibliothek/

3.2 History Department

The library of the History Department contains 106,000 volumes relating to the history of the Middle Ages, the Early Modern Times, the Near Present, Church History of the middle Ages and Modern Times, Historical of Ancilliary Sciences , Military History, Social and economic history, University history , Legal and constitutional history, colonial history, European and non-European history.

Further Information
geschichte.uni-muenster.de/HS/Bibliothek/

3.3 Institute of Didactics Library

The library of the Institute of Didactives is a specialist library concerning the science of history, the focus of whose current collection is first and foremost the literature of history didactics in the german speaking world.

The library distinguishes itself through its collection of textbooks and curricula, as well as a stock of of historical films and catalogues of historical exhibitions. Numerous specialist history and history didactic journals are available.

The original library - a general history library - developed out of the collection of the Pedagogical University of Westfalen-Lippe (Münster department). This collection continues to form a significant part of the total stock of the library. Current acquisitions take into account the most important specialist historical compendia and referece works.

Further Information
geschichte.uni-muenster.de/DI/bibliothek.shtml

University and Regional Library (ULB) http://www.uni-muenster.de/ulb

4. Studying History in Münster

4.1 The ECTS - Point System

The Department of History and Ancient History allocate ECTS for each type of course and course work undertaken. For ERASMUS students the following rules apply:

¹ Compulsory Attendence: Students are required to attend all teaching events.

² For students from german speaking countries half of the ECTS points apply. The total of 30 ECTS points represents the anticipated course work for one semester.

3.2 Types of Courses taught

Vorlesung (Lecture)

The lecturer delivers the contents by means of a presentation. Students can prepare in advance via the reading list.

Proseminar (Introductory or core courses)

This is a course for new students. A consise subject or theme is given detailed treatment. The course is given via lectures, via presentations from students and through discussions between students and lecturers. Methodical knowledge is taught. Students can prepare in advance via the reading list.

Hauptseminar (Advanced course)

This is a course for advanced students in their main studies. Varies aspects of a specialized theme are worked through. There is a significant use of original source material. The work is very intensive and requires significant preparation. The course is delivered via lectures, via presentations from students and through discussions between students and lecturers. Students can prepare in advance via the reading list.

Kurs (Course)

Central problems and questions concerning a particular period are examined in a Kurs (course). The course is delivered via lectures, presentations from students and through discussions between students and lecturers. Students can prepare in advance vai the reading list.

Übung (Tutorial)

Tutorials deal with specialist themes and conveys techniques, with which the History student must be familiar. The course is delivered via lectures, presentations from students and through discussions between students and lecturers.

3.3 Types of course work

Referat (Presentation)

A presentation is an oral lecture concerning a specific theme, typically lasting 15-30 minutes. A hand-out must be prepared for the audience. The presentaiton is followed by a Question & Answer section, answers are fielded by the student, with help from the lecturer. The theme of the presentation is agreed in advance with the lecturer.

Hausarbeit (Dissertation)

A dissertation is a written essay about a specific topic associated with the course. The body of previously published literature on the subject should be taken into account and should be used as source material. The theme of the dissertation is agreed in advance with the lecturer. The lecturer assists with any questions.

Klausur (Written Examination)

A written examination is held at the end of the semester. The answers are expected in a coherent text. The examination lasts from one to two hours.

Mündliche Prüfung (Oral Examination)

The oral exam can take the place of the written exam for ERASMUS students who are not proficient in the written language. This can be done only with the express permission of the lecturer. The examination takes place at the end of the semester and lasts 15-30 minutes.

3.4 Further important information

Index of Lectures - with comments

geschichte.uni-muenster.de/lehre/

Appointed Time

Each series of lectures takes place at an appointed time during the week. The Proseminars (core / introductory courses) are normally for four hours a week, all other courses are two hours weekly.

Compulsory Attendence

You are permitted to be absent from a maximum of two sessions. Students are expected to excuse themselves in advance directly with the lecturer.

Teaching Language

Courses are normally held in German

Important Recommendations for ERASMUS Students

The Co-ordination team are available to discuss aspects of the Learning Agreement. Erasmus students are therefore advised to make contact with the co-ordinator prior to their arrival in Münster.

3.5 Important and Helpful documents

The following websites contain documents which are important for your ERASMUS studies in Universität Münster. These include the Application for Admittance, the application for student accomodation (in the case that you require accomodation) and also the Transcript of Records and Learning Agreement. Over and above this, you will find a registration form for the tutorial programme and for the intensive language course:
http://www.uni-muenster.de/ERASMUS/downloads_in.html

The International Office of Universität Münster has published a brochure which contains more useful information about the University, studying and living in Münster:
http://www.uni-muenster.de/ERASMUS/studieren_in_ms.html

5. Student Representation

The Departmental Student Union consists of students from various semesters who have volunteered to help other students with advice. At the start of the study year we offer an orientation week (this takes place the week before lectures begin). Various introductory sessions, opportunities for advice and social get-togethers are arranged, whereby you can get to know your fellow students. We also offer advice to students in advanced semesters. Of specific interest is our archive of dissertations and past examination papers.

Aside from offering services of the above nature to students, we are also politically active. We are part of the overall Student Union of the University, and as such are one of 40 departmental student unions groups who are members of the University student union. As part of the Union we are active in university politics both wihin the university and beyond. Furthermore, we work on various committees and bodies representing your interests.

Further Information
www.uni-muenster.de/geschichte/fachschaft
 

6. Location of the important buildings

Universität Münster is not a campus-based University. The buildings in which all lectures or events take place are to the found across the city. You will find the most important buildings for the subject of History below.

Legende:

1 Schloss - Castle (many lectures take place here, the International Office is located behind the Schloss to the right)

2 Botanical Garden (Events mainly for Biology)

3 Central Course Guidance (advice with many problems in all aspects of study)

5 AStA (Student Council involved in student politics and offers advice in many areas)

6 Lecture Halls (mainly for Science subjects)

7 "Die Brücke" (International meeting place)

8 Juridicum (mainly events for Economic and Law studies)

9 Central Library (University and Regional Library, ULB)

10 Catholic Theology

11 History Didactics

12 Fürstenberghaus (Events for Humanities, History libraries)

13 Philology (AudiMax is also here)

14 Evangelical Theology

15 Bispinghof (where the language courses take place)

Additionally, many events for history students take place in „Georgskommende".

"Gleis 22", "Triptychon" and "Baracke" are Clubs or meeting places where humanities students get together.

Further Information
http://www.uni-muenster.de/de/lageplan.html

7. Contact / Disclaimer

International Office

The International Office is your contact point for general issues regarding studying in Münster. This includes (among other things) registration, the allocation of student accomodation, and the organisation of semester programme with regular social events, city tours, parties and much more.

International Office

ERASMUS-Büro
Schlossplatz 2a
48149 Münster
Tel.: +49 251 83 22113
Fax: +49 251 83 21413
e-Mail:erasmus.buero@uni-muenster.de
http://www.uni-muenster.de/auslandsamt

ERASMUS co-ordination in the History Department

The coordination in each department is responsible for the ERASMUS network in their subject. They cultivate the university partnerships and seek out new overseas contacts as neeeded.
The student support staff are responsible for advice and for incoming and outgoing students. They are available to support you on all aspects of your History studies and beyond.

Department of Ancient History

Co-ordination:

Prof. Dr. Peter Funke
Domplatz 20-22
48143 Münster
Tel.: +49 251 83 24367
Fax: +49 251 83 24363
e-Mail: funkep@uni-muenster.de

Prof. Dr. Johannes Hahn M.A.
Domplatz 20-22
48143 Münster
Tel.: +49 251 83 24362
Fax: +49 251 83 24366
e-Mail: hahnj@uni-muenster.de

Student Advice:

Meike Paprotta
e-Mail:erasmus.sag@uni-muenster.de

Further information
geschichte.uni-muenster.de/AG/auslandsstudium

Department of History

Co-ordination:

Prof. Dr. Silke Hensel
Domplatz 20-22
48143 Münster
Tel.: +49 251 83 24356
Fax: +49 251 83 24357
e-Mail: shensel@uni-muenster.de

Student Advice:

Robert Westendorf
e-Mail: erasmus.histsem@uni-muenster.de

Further information
geschichte.uni-muenster.de/Stipendien

Disclaimer

Editors
Meike Paprotta
Robert Westendorf

Translation
Angela Ryan

WWW-Version
Franz Neiske / Björn R. Schmidt

Photos
Massimiliano Livi

Subject to change without notice