Program

General Information

For some time, globalization has been omnipresent as a catchword in contemporary political and economic discussions. To date, these discussions have been taken up only haltingly in the historiography. While research on historical globalization processes is increasing, the teaching of it has been hardly developed. Both universities in Bremen are in an excellent position to take up a pioneering role to this end due to their competencies in both German and international history. The professors involved in this course teach and research Asian history (especially Chinese, Indian and South Asian history), African, Latin American, North American and Eastern European history (particularly Russian history) as well as German and Western European history, focusing on the 19th and 20th centuries.

The MA program in "Modern Global History" is distinct from those already introduced at other German universities in a number of ways. Its focus on global history – particularly non-European experiences – after 1850 as well as its use of English as a working language which makes it a unique way of approaching world history in the 21st century.

Modules

1. Topics

The module "Topics" interlinks methodological and specific regional approaches to analyze selected central problems of transnational and global history. The three courses offered combine central perspectives of cultural history approaches with an analysis of important issues of global relations. The professors choose case studies from different world regions, corresponding with their respective areas of expertise. The following courses are offered: Values and Lifeworlds, Conflict and Violence and Knowledge and Communication.

2. International History

The "International Relations" module fulfils a double function. On the one hand, it introduces students to established – as well as new – approaches to international history and international relations. Consequently, it provides the theoretical and methodological basis for the MA program. Theory-oriented course components will be complemented by empirical components, which focus on concrete examples pertaining to questions and methods of global history. The following courses are offered: History of World Religions in the Modern Age and International History.

3. Connected Histories

The module "Connected Histories" fulfils a double function as well. It introduces students to recent approaches of cultural, global and entangled history, transnational history as well as postcolonial studies. It also provides – together with module M2 – the theoretical and methodological basis for the MA program. Theory-oriented course components will be complemented by courses which focus on partial problems of global and entangled history. The empirical components will be related to European and non-European history. Furthermore, this module is linked with module M4, "World Regions". The following courses are offered: Concepts of Historical Research and History Writing and Globalization in a Historical Perspective.

4. World Regions

The module "World Regions" provides students with insights into the modern and contemporary history of major world regions (Africa, Asia, Russia/Eastern Europe, Latin America, Europe). The regional expertise of the faculty members becomes particularly relevant in this module. The seminars that students attend will provide a problem-oriented approach to important historical developments of the various world regions. Several courses will be offered in three semesters and students will choose to take two of them. The following courses are offered: Contemporary African History and Politics, Modern Latin American History, Modern Asian History and Modern Russian History

5. Research

In this module, students will learn how to develop their own research and methodological competence, and will be advised and supported in the process of writing their MA thesis. Moreover, students will be familiarized with central issues of current research, and will also present concepts and their MA projects to classmates for discussion. Guest lecturers will provide insights on the most up-to-date national and international research.