COURSE CURRICULUM

The one-year master’s program Beyond Borders focuses on the political and cultural evolution of the world from a long-term and broad comparative perspective, aiming to provide a deeper understanding of the interconnected and entangled nature of today’s society. Central to this program is the study of how the circulation of people, practices, goods, and ideas has historically shaped both European and global societies. The courses emphasize how processes such as cultural production, rejection, and appropriation influenced development across time and space. By doing so, students are encouraged to critically analyze the long-term entanglements and interconnections that have defined global and European histories. The program also highlights the crossing of different contexts, such as social activism, political institutions, public memory, and cultural exchange, showing how these forces interact and overlap to influence societies in complex ways. This multidisciplinary approach not only equips students with the ability to evaluate historical phenomena but also helps them connect past global dynamics to contemporary challenges.The program structure is designed to balance theoretical knowledge with practical research skills. In the first semester, students take three core courses: a Literature Seminar (10 EC), a Research Seminar (10 EC), and a Research Workshop (10 EC). These courses introduce students to key historiographical debates, comparative perspectives, and methodological approaches in global and European history while providing hands-on training in research practices. In the second semester, students have the opportunity to choose an optional course (10 EC), allowing them to pursue individual interests and deepen their expertise in specific thematic or regional areas. The program culminates in the Master’s Thesis (20 EC), in which students conduct independent research under academic supervision and contribute original insights into the study of entangled global histories. This structure ensures that graduates leave the program with both a broad theoretical foundation and the skills to conduct advanced historical research.