Programme Structure

M1: Historical Geography: Theories and Concepts

• Learning objectives and skills acquired: You get a thorough overview of the most important theories and concepts within historical geography. A particular emphasis is placed on the disciplinary and historical academic development of theories and concepts and the current trends within the discipline. You also learn how to recognise and understand interdisciplinary links to neighbouring disciplines such as archaeology, European ethnology, history, art history or social sciences. 
• Contents: This module focuses on the historical development of the field of historical geography and its central subject matters at an international level. You gain insights into current issues in the field of historical geography and the effects of spatial turns in historical cultural sciences.
• Module components: Lecture series in the winter semester & lecture series in the summer semester
• Module examination: Oral examination (duration: 30 minutes)
• Module mark: The module mark corresponds to the mark received for the oral examination. 

M2 Historical Geography: Sources and Methods

• Learning objectives and skills acquired: You gain fundamental knowledge of historical-geographical methods and how to apply them, and are able to use them in your own research projects at the end of this module.
• Contents: This module teaches fundamental methods for archival research and document analysis, as well as for dealing with maps, images, material sources and tangible heritage. A focus is placed on the forms and tools of historical-geographical research and interpreting specific archival sources, as well as addressing, analysing and dating selected structures in settlements and cultural landscapes.
• Module components: Seminar series in the winter semester & seminar series in the summer semester
• Module examination: Portfolio (time allowed: 3 months)
• Module mark: This module is not marked.

M3: Regional Historical Geography

• Learning objectives and skills acquired: In this module, you learn how to tackle regional issues and topics using modern methodologies. To this end, you will acquire a framework of theories and concepts to help you explain historical regionalisation processes, you will learn how to deal with very different categories of sources and methodologies, and you will practice compiling information on the current state of research and presenting it critically.
• Contents: With an extended field trip lasting eight days and an accompanying seminar, this module presents specific spaces in a comparative, spatial and temporal perspective on a local to global scale. Above all, the focus is on regionalisation processes in their respective, specific diachronic development. A region is presented as an important historical-geographical spatial structure that is to be explained and the regionalisation processes that lead to this are put forward and analysed. In this context, it is also important to be able to better differentiate and interpret the factor correlations, principles and unique features of these processes.
• Module components: Extended field trip and seminar series in the summer semester
• Module examination: Portfolio (time allowed: 3 months)
• Module mark: The module mark corresponds to the mark attained in the module examination.

M4: Research Topics of Historical Geography

• Learning objectives and skills acquired: In this module, you explore the potentials and perspectives of a specific historical-geographical approach using the example of a selected central research area, theory or concept. You gain the skills to be able to understand and explain a wide range of terms and concepts. Moreover, you are also able to interpret and evaluate these terms and concepts comparatively and in the context of their potential for historical-geographical research. On the basis of the example addressed specifically in this module, you gain the skills to be able to transfer this epistemological approach to further theories, concepts and terms.
• Contents: This seminar addresses current research topics and concepts from the fields of both physical geography and human geography. This includes terms such as environment, landscape, sustainability, memory, identity, nation, region, periphery or borders, which play a key role in transdisciplinary contexts. A focus is placed on analysing, comparing and evaluating patterns and structures in space and time, as well as on the diachronic development of these patterns and structures.
• Module components: Seminar series in the winter semester or summer semester
• Module examination: Written term paper (time allowed: 3 months)
• Module mark: The module mark corresponds to the mark attained in the module examination.

M5: Applied Research in Historical Geography

• Learning objectives and skills acquired: This module teaches students the conclusive skill of how to apply the key methods and techniques of historical-geographical research in the current thematic contexts of space, society and time in a research and application-oriented manner.
• Contents: You learn how to put into practice research-related topics that are of current relevance to society by independently designing a research project under guidance. In this context, you also become familiar with new topics and research perspectives.
• Module components: Research seminar I in the winter semester and research seminar II in the summer semester
• Module examination: Written term paper (time allowed: 3 months)
• Module mark: The module mark corresponds to the mark attained in the module examination. 

M6: Applied Historical Geography

• Learning objectives and skills acquired: This module teaches students the conclusive knowledge-based skills that allow them to transfer the methods and theories they have learnt to specific fields of application-oriented historical geography and therefore gain insights into practical professional contexts. The knowledge acquired in this process allows you to be prepared in terms of content and formal methodology for the core professional fields for historical geographers both in academia and beyond.
• Contents: This module provides an overview and in-depth knowledge of the application of historical-geographical working methods and subject matters in connection with various fields of spatial planning. This includes, for example, natural and cultural landscape preservation, heritage and historical monument conservation, rural development and village regeneration, spatial and regional planning, the European Landscape Convention and UNESCO World Heritage.
• Module components: Fieldwork exercise in the summer semester
• Module examination: Portfolio (time allowed: 3 months)
• Module mark: This module is not marked.

M7: Professional practice

• Learning objectives and skills acquired: Methodological and subject-specific knowledge gained during the programme is applied in practice and consolidated. The internship also helps you individually explore potential professional fields.
• Contents: You get to know organisational processes in practice and learn how to approach the particularities of commissioned research. You work within the unique environment of the respective professional field and strengthen your team skills.
• Other information: Your internship must be connected to historical geography in a broad sense. Academic institutions are a possibility. It is recommended to get your internship approved by the subject advisor. Your internship can be completed at a maximum of two different places. 
• Module components: 8-week internship with a weekly working time of 37.5 hours
• Module examination: Internship report (time allowed: 3 months)
• Module mark: This module is not marked.