Teaching
“The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there."
(L.P. Hartley, The Go-Between, 1953)
Note: The JFKI department of history is committed to the standard principles of DEIB: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.
Diversity is having a seat at the table.
Equity is giving everyone what they need to have access to the table.
Inclusion is having a voice.
Belonging is having your voice heard.
All course participants are expected to imbibe these principles by treating other course participants--including the instructors, possible guests, other students and student assistants--, with courtesy and respect. Comments should be factual, constructive, and free from harassment. Students are encouraged to disagree with other students, but disagreements must be constructive, based on facts, documentation and/or experiences rather than prejudices and personalities. All members will promote an atmosphere of mutual respect. At the beginning of classes, students can elect a student representative to voice comments and concerns. Please contact the student representative or the instructor if you have suggestions for improving the classroom environment. Students may also email their respective instructor directly. All instructors in the department aim to create a course using DEIB. If you require accommodations, please do let us know immediately. We are always happy to consider creative solutions that do not compromise the intent of the assessment or learning activities. We welcome feedback that will assist us in improving the usability and experience for all students.
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Courses at the History Department: Winter Semester 2025/2026
North American Studies Course Catalog (Winter Semester 2025/2026)
BACHELOR PROGRAM
Orientation Module
Understanding North America A, Sönke Kunkel, Martin Lüthe, Birte Wege, Fridays, 10:00-12:00 and 14:00-16:00
Navigating the Unknown: Uncertainty in the History of North America and Beyond, Marlene Ritter, Mondays, 12:00-14:00
Global Superpower: U.S Foriegn Relations since 1990, Sönkel Kunkel, Tuesdays, 8:00-10:00
Advanced Module A: History of North America Before 1865
Visions of ´America´ on Display: Nation, Empire, and Visual Culture at 19th Century US `Worlds Fairs`, Marlene Ritter, Wednesdays, 14:00-16:00
The Women's Movement and Intersectionality in the U.S (1830-1920), David Bebnowski, Thursdays, 14:00-16:00
Colloquium
BA Colloquium Political Science, Sociology, History, Economics, David Bosold, Thursdays, 12:00-14:00
MASTER PROGRAM
Module A: North America amd its Position in the World
The 1970s: The Cold War, Globalization, and US Foriegn Policy, Valeria Benko, Mondays, 8:00-10:00
Importing/Exporting Liberalism:Traditions and Critiques of US Liberal Thinking in the 19th and 20th Century, Marlene Ritter, Tuesdays, 8:00-10:00
Colloquium
MA Colloquium History, Sönkel Kunkel, Mondays, 16:00-18:00
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In the context of the Bachelor’s Program in North American Studies, the Department offers the following modules:
- Modul A: North American history, before 1865
- Modul B: North American history, since 1865
All B.A. students are required to take Understanding North America (UNA) as part of their studies. UNA is offered as follows:
|
Semester |
Course |
|
Winter |
UNA A (History, Culture, Literature) |
|
Summer |
UNA B (Politics, Economics, Sociology) |
B.A. students who study North American Studies may choose history as their major focus 1 (Schwerpunktdisziplin 1/Hauptstudienschwerpunkt) or major focus 2.
|
Semester |
Modul |
|
|
|
Winter |
Vertiefungsmodul A |
Seminar |
North American History before 1865 |
|
Winter |
Orientierungsmodul |
Proseminar |
|
|
Summer |
Orientierungsmodul |
Seminar |
|
|
Summer |
Vertiefungsmodul B |
Seminar |
North American History since 1865 |
In the context of the Master’s Program North American Studies, the Department offers the following modules:
- Modul A: North American History in the World
- Modul B: North American History before 1865
- Modul C: North American History since 1865
|
Semester |
Modul A North American History in the World |
Modul B North American History before 1865 |
Modul C North American History since 1865 |
|
Winter |
Hauptseminar + Seminar |
|
|
|
Summer |
|
Hauptseminar + Seminar |
Hauptseminar + Seminar |
In the context of the Ph. D. program of the Graduate School of North American Studies, the department offers the following courses:
|
Semester |
Course A |
Course B |
|
Winter |
Disciplinary Methods in the Study of History |
|
|
Summer |
|
Advanced Disciplinary Theory and Methods in the Study of History |
Helpful Guides for writing history papers:
Harvard College Writing Center’s Brief Guide to Writing a History Paper
Academic Integrity Roadmap: Guide to Avoiding Plagarism (University of Arizona)