Europäische Kulturgeschichte│European Cultural History (M.A.)

Europe faces a double challenge in the 21st century. Internally, European societies are working on a mutual understanding of cultural self-images and on improving the compatibility of economic and political systems. Externally, they have to reposition themselves in a hitherto unknown dynamic of global interdependence. In both processes, lines of rupture and conflict that have long been overlooked are once again coming to light. Dealing with these problems requires a sound understanding of their historical background, which the degree programme „European Cultural History“ explores from a cultural studies perspective.

The degree programme problematises Europe and the modernity emanating from Europe as formations that have emerged since the early modern period not only from commonalities, but also from diversity. In many ways, this diversity has been enriching, but it has also led to conflicts: to political, economic, social and religious disputes and clashes of interpretation. The violent resolution of such conflicts is a specific feature of European history, not least in the process of colonial expansion. On the other hand, the exchange with other regions of the world and the cultural diversity within the continent also gave rise to particularly dense material and immaterial interdependencies and transfers. Without them, the political and economic upheavals that began around 1800 and the supremacy of Europe that lasted well into the 20th century cannot be understood. Against this background, the degree programme also offers access to an understanding of the catastrophes of the 20th century and the current political, ideational and economic crisis phenomena.

The degree programme is problem- and research-oriented. In project seminars, usually in cooperation with non-university institutions such as archives, memorials, museums or exhibition organisers, it also imparts practical knowledge and opens up relevant career prospects. Frankfurt (Oder) and its German-Polish surroundings as well as nearby Berlin form a historical landscape in which the layers of the recent past are densely layered in their legacies.

Study modules:

• Europe in a global context
• Economic cultures
• Central and Eastern Europe as a cultural space
• Cultures of knowledge - sciences, religions, arts and humanities
• History in practice

This degree programme has been reformed. The reformed Master's degree programme „Geschichte der Moderne transkulturell │History of Modernity in Transcultural Perspective“ (GMT) has been offered since the winter semester 2022/23. We recommend that all students of the Master's degree programme in European Cultural History (MEK) switch to the reformed programme.

Here you will find the application to switch from the MEK to the GMT.

This must be submitted to:

Nancy Tesche, Examination Office, AM 015

Postal address:

Nancy Tesche, Europa-Universität Viadrina, Dezernat 1, Große Scharrnstraße 59, 15230 Frankfurt (Oder).

For the summer semester 2025, applications should be submitted in January if possible, but no later than 15 March.

Students of the MEK who decide to switch to the GMT will have all their ECTS credits recognised. If you have any questions or uncertainties, please contact the GMT programme coordinator.

More and more writing professions require historical expertise. The specialised study of European cultural history in its global context promotes entry into these professions.

In addition to the employment opportunities generally available to historians in museums, archives, libraries, historical research, adult and political education, the civil service, associations, foundations and political parties as well as in the media sector, the degree programme opens up the following job opportunities for graduates:

This degree programme has been reformed and enrolment is no longer possible. The reformed Master's programme History of Modernity in Transcultural Perspective has been offered since the winter semester 2022/23.