During the first phase of the degree program (semesters 1-4), general lectures teach basic knowledge of history for all major epochs (Antiquity, the Middle Ages, Early Modern Age, Modern and Contemporary History). At the same time, in basic seminars, students learn and practice the methodically correct approach to sources and modern research literature on the basis of specific historical case studies from various epochs. Students also acquire basic working techniques (bibliographic research, presentation, and so on) as well as knowledge of the theory and methodology of the study of history.

In the more advanced phase of the degree program, students choose epochal and/or regional specialisms in two areas. In lectures, advanced seminars and tutorials, the knowledge and skills taught in the first stage of the degree program are extended and built upon. Students acquire the skills necessary to identify relevant research questions and answer these correctly through the professional examination of historical sources and research literature. The degree program is completed by writing an independent research-based Bachelor’s thesis.

At FAU, History as a Bachelor’s degree program is always studied in combination with another subject from the humanities or social sciences. The interdisciplinary nature of the program generates significant added value in methodological skills for the study of history. Students can specialize further in view of a specific career by acquiring key qualifications.

In the first semesters, students are taught fundamental knowledge of all historical epochs (Antiquity, the Middle Ages, Early Modern Age, Modern and Contemporary History). Students can set their own individual focus in this phase by giving preference to certain epochs and selecting specific seminar topics.

After completing the first part of the degree program, students independently select two areas of specialization from the four main epochs and/or the two regional subject areas of Bavarian and Franconian Regional History or Eastern European History. These specializations are included in the degree certificate.

Beyond the specific teaching and research profiles of the chairs and professorships at the Department of History, students can select other subject-related or geographical specializations such as North America, the Mediterranean, or Western Europe.

• An interest in the cultural and historical foundations of our society
• A willingness and a passion for reading academic texts and sources as well as writing your own academic texts
• Proficiency in a foreign language or the desire to learn new languages (ideally two modern languages plus Latin. All language skills can be gained during the course of the degree program)
• A proficient command of German with respect to speaking, writing and comprehension skills
• Ability to work independently
• An interest in analytical and methodological ways of working in historical contexts

The Bachelor’s degree program in History at FAU offers a broad range of courses in varied topics in different areas of history. In addition to conventional teaching formats, this degree program is characterized by a number of innovative teaching and learning formats such as project seminars, field trips, and reading courses spanning various epochs. Various opportunities for knowledge transfer from a wide range of neighboring subjects emphasize interdisciplinary perspectives and approaches from the very beginning. Comparatively small courses and seminar groups allow for close contact between students and lecturers. Flexible module plans allow students to create individual study plans that enable them to complete a stay abroad at one of the Department of History’s various partner universities in the Erasmus program or internships in regional cultural institutions such as museums, archives, or libraries.

Students of history learn how to analyze complex historical facts and how to deal with sources and research literature. On the one hand, the methodical and subject-specific approaches of the degree program prepare them for independent academic work in the field of history. On the other, the study of history imparts and deepens important general core skills and key qualifications, such as the ability to deal with large, unstructured amounts of data and information, problem solving, critical thinking and analytical reasoning, as well as important research, presentation and communication skills.

The career fields listed below are only a selection of potential careers that are open to historians. These include:

• Archives and libraries
• Collections and exhibitions, museums
• Publishing
• Adult education, cultural education
• Journalism, communication
• Service providers and administration
• Public relations in public and private institutions, foundations and companies
• History marketing in agencies and companies
• Research and teaching
• Consulting (lateral entry)

• Languages are also very important in history This means that sources written in English, partly also French, Spanish, Italian and Latin form the foundations of historical research.
• Knowledge of Latin (proficiency in Latin) is compulsory for studying History at FAU and proof must be provided at the latest by the end of the Bachelor’s degree program. If students do not have knowledge of Latin when beginning the degree program, they must have attended a Latin course at the University for at least one semester before starting the basic seminars Ancient and Medieval History (semester 1 to 4).
• The study of history does not involve categorizing aspects as “correct” or “incorrect”, rather it is about learning how to take a critical and methodically correct approach to sources, research literature and hypotheses. The degree program thus comprises of reading texts in the form of sources and secondary literature to a significant extent.