History, geography and politics/economics have been taught as a combined subject (Gesellschaftslehre) at numerous types of school since the 1970s. However, there is still no cross-phase teacher training programme that qualifies teachers to teach the combined subject. A series of lectures organised by the Institute for Didactics of History is now discussing perspectives for the subject of Gesellschaftslehre. It is aimed at students, didacticians, subject coordinators and teachers.

Naturalistic views of the human mind challenge widespread notions of free will and conscious action: If all thought and action can be traced back to neuronal mechanisms of action, freedom appears to be a mere illusion and consciousness a superfluous by-product. The lecture series presents two current proposals for solutions, each of which will be explored in three lectures and a concluding commentary with a joint discussion.

The lecture series deals with the connection between music and Islam. Being a much debated subject within Islamic discourses, we will deal with the variety of theological positions on the definition, permissibility and the forms of use of music, drawing on Islamic dogmas and the history of Muslim societies. Ethnographic research from around the world will help to highlight not only the religious function of music, but its social, political and identity-forming role for Muslims in Western and Muslim-majority countries around the world as well.

Every semester, the Chair of Early Modern History invites external researchers to give lectures in Münster, thus giving advanced students, doctoral candidates and postdocs in early modern history the opportunity to participate in current research debates. The colloquium is also open to those interested in general history.

The research colloquium is organised jointly by the two Chairs of Modern and Contemporary History and the Chair of Latin American History as well as in cooperation with the lecture series of the Centre for Empire Studies. On thirteen dates, researchers from Münster, Germany and the rest of the world will give presentations on current research topics.

The Department of Ancient History, the Institute of Classical Philology, the Institute of Classical Archaeology and Christian Archaeology and the Archaeological Museum jointly organise a research colloquium every semester in which classical scholars from all over the world present their research. The lectures are also open to the interested public.

Alcohol already played a central role in ancient times. It was considered a cultic food and healing elixir, but was also used to intoxicate the senses to the point of drunkenness. But where is the line between sacred drink and excessive excess? In a lecture on 3 April, in cooperation with the prevention campaign ‘Voll ist out’, the background and peculiarities of alcohol consumption at that time will be described. The event at the Archaeological Museum starts at 5 pm. Admission is free of charge.

150 years ago, the Museum der Grafschaft Mark was founded as the forerunner of today's museums in the Märkischer Kreis. Just in time for the anniversary year a new publication, “Burg Altena. Reconstruction, Controversies and Utilisation after 1900” is being published. It will be presented to the public on 28 March at 6 pm in the ballroom of the restaurant at Altena Castle.

How did computers, the internet and smartphones actually begin? How did computers come to Westphalia? Malte Thießen traces the history of digitalisation in Westphalia. It tells the story of enormous large computer systems as well as of disconnected milk cans far from the great “data highway”. It is about great fears, but also about equally great hopes. The lecture on 2 April 2025 at the Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum starts at 7 pm. Admission is free, registration is requested.

The Institute of Cultural Anthropology/European Ethnology is once again organising a one-week practical course on current topics and tasks of museums together with the LWL-Freilichtmuseum Detmold, Westfälisches Landesmuseum für Alltagskultur. Participants will gain in-depth insights into the museum as a field of practice, as a place of research, as a collection and educational institution and much more.