History, Master of Education

History

... looks into questions such as ...

Where do we derive our knowledge of historical events from?
Why is Caesar’s murder still of interest in the 21st century?
What was everyday life in a medieval city like?
How did economy and technology evolve?
Which role have women played in history?

„
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 read more ...
„
By deciphering Cicero, Caesar and Ovid, I had the feeling I was getting closer to antiquity.
“

Tobias Nitschke, Master´s degree read more ...

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.

Tobias Nitschke is a sixth- year student of Classical Philology. He is pursuing the Master of Arts degree - 2 -subject programme. Tobias´ other discpline is History.

What made you choose this degree programme?

Even back in school, I was interested in the Latin language. By deciphering Cicero, Caesar and Ovid, I had the feeling I was getting closer to antiquity; moreover, I considered my acquisition of Latin language skills added value for my studies of history – after all, they enable me to read primary “unadulterated” sources.

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

Classical philology has turned out to be a double-edged sword. But reading Latin literature is still a lot of fun. However, I feel much further removed from antiquity than ever before. This is not due to the discipline itself or due to the way it is taught; rather, it is because of the complexity of antiquity and because of our notion of it, which requires profound reflexion.

Which aspect of your degree programme do you enjoy most?

The discipline’s main attractions are the aspects listed in answer to question 2. Studies of the Latin language challenge us to reflect on our notion of antiquity, and therefore to reflect on ourselves – a process in which we learn to approach problems from a different perspective and to consider current issues in a more nuanced manner. Moreover, the plethora of content matters discussed in Latin literature inspires me time and again to study new topics and to gain interesting insights into all kinds of academic disciplines. And finally, my degree course furnishes me with a certain linguistic awareness and an analytic view of language per se, which is invaluable when learning other, “living” languages.

What has been your biggest challenge to date?

The greatest challenge has been to leave “school Latin” behind and to create a translation that meets all requirements. After all, it is not enough to provide a translation that is appropriate in grammatical and linguistic terms; it has to be put in the right context and has to match the respective genre. This is probably a challenge that all philologists struggle with in the course of their careers.

What would you like to become after completing your degree?

I would like to enter the diplomatic service after graduation. Here, I could combine the analytic mindset that I have internalised during my classical philology degree course with my interest in politics, law and economics, and utilise my foreign language skills efficiently, the acquisition of which has been greatly facilitated by my Latin degree.

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

You need the unconditional will to tough it out and never give up, despite many setbacks. Add a spoonful of language awareness and a pinch of understanding of antiquity: there you go, that’s your gateway to the classical philology degree.

Degree programmes

What's it all about?

This degree programme is unique, because ...

the Master of Education degree programme in History integrates both discipline-related and didactic methods from the outset, thus preparing students for future workplace realities.

It provides the opportunity to specialise in the following fields

Three general historic eras Ancient, Medieval and Modern (subdivided into individual periods)
Didactic methodology
Focus on an individual region (e.g. Eastern Europe, North America, Turkey)
Systematic specialisation (e.g. gender, economy, environment, theory)
History of the Ruhrgebiet/Social movements (Institute for Social Movement, ISB)
Interdisciplinary and international specialisation (IDG, MMZ, CERES, Gender Studies etc.)

Course schedule

Module handbook

Who is suited?

Those who wish to enrol in this degree programme,

have:

a B.A. degree
considerable interest in didactic communication of specialist knowledge
readiness to look into different didactic methods in theory and practice
a fondness for reading, including reading of historical sources and technical texts
an interest in historical contexts
substantial skills of presenting specialist contents
an understanding of history as a whole rather than individual periods

enjoy:

teaching specialist contents in a target-specific manner
developing ideas and research theses
developing argumentation strategies
dedicated, in-depth discourses regarding various historical subject matters

struggle through:

a plethora of specialist literature and sources, initially also theoretical models of didactic methods
preparing numerous written papers and oral presentations
challenging research issues

This degree programme is suited for graduates in the following subjects

History, B.A.

Graduates from this degree programme frequently work

in the teaching profession

And else?

An internship ...

is mandatory. It is done in the 3rd semester.
Duration: 1 semester

Studying abroad ...

can be done voluntarily.

Where do I find help?

Academic advisory office

Dirk Urbach
Building, Room: GA 5/131
Phone: +49 (0)234 / 32-28361
Email: dirk.urbach@rub.de
Website academic advisory office

Contact students

Fachschaft Geschichte
Building, Room: GA 5/37
Phone: +49 (0)234 / 32-27896
Email: fr-geschichte@rub.de
Website Fachschaft

Internet

Degree programmes' website

Profile

Degree:	Master of Education
Start:	Winter- and summer semester
Duration:	4 semesters
Classroom language:	German

Detailed information for international applicants

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History

... looks into questions such as ...

What made you choose this degree programme?

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

Which aspect of your degree programme do you enjoy most?

What has been your biggest challenge to date?

What would you like to become after completing your degree?

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

What made you choose this degree programme?

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

Which aspect of your degree programme do you enjoy most?

What has been your biggest challenge to date?

What would you like to become after completing your degree?

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

Degree programmes