GloC

(English curriculum)

In an increasingly closer Europe, multilingualism and intercultural competencies play an ever-important role, especially for future generations. This also applies to the two partner countries, Germany and Italy, which can look back on a long mutual history and culturally and economically evolved cooperation. As evidenced by the success of various German-Italian institutes in the Humanities, a close connection between the two countries also exists in the academic field. With this in mind, Bielefeld University and the University of Bologna have developed a joint international study programme in the field of historical sciences, which can be completed within the regular Master of Arts. Even more than a stay abroad with an Erasmus+ programme, the binational Master “History: Global Cultures” enables students to immerse themselves more intensively in the academic culture of the partner country through longer periods of study, and thus to further improve their language skills at the same time. Moreover, this double degree significantly increases their chances in the European labour market.

 

Bielefeld University and the University of Bologna can draw on their long term experience in the field of academic exchange and scientific cooperation, which has now been consolidated and intensified with the introduction of this English-language curriculum within the binational study programme – the only one that currently exists between German and Italian universities in the field of history. The programme in history focuses on Global Cultures and combines the strengths of both universities: Bielefeld University still adheres to its reform- orientated character as an institution of higher education founded in the late 1960s. Today, this spirit manifests itself in the interdisciplinary nature of teaching and research. The University of Bologna offers applicants to study a broad range of courses, including the epistemological foundations of historical research, as well as historical methods and general knowledge of world history at the oldest university in the Western world with its longstanding tradition.

 

The participants complete their studies at both universities and have the opportunity to receive a German-Italian Master’s degree after four semesters (in both Bielefeld and Bologna). For the period of studying abroad, the programme is funded by the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service). The study programme is aimed at graduates with a successfully completed undergraduate degree (Bachelor/Laurea) in history, who

• intend to study in a specialized Master’s programme in history
• enjoy engaging with the German and Italian culture and in this way to acquire intercultural competences
• already have a good knowledge of the English language and would like to deepen it further to qualify themselves for future work in a European environment