COURSE CURRICULUM

The program in premodern studies is structured to provide both a solid theoretical foundation and extensive opportunities for original research. Students follow a Literature Seminar worth 10 EC, where they engage with comparative approaches to history, learning to analyse and contrast historical experiences from across the globe. This seminar provides the critical framework necessary for approaching the complexities of premodern societies. The Research Seminar, also 10 EC, allows students to put these approaches into practice by conducting original historical research. Topics explored include armies and navies, diplomats and rulers, religious and mercantile networks, and local as well as transregional communities in Europe, the Baltic, Black Sea regions, and the Mediterranean. The program also includes a Research Workshop (5 EC), where students refine their methodological skills in a collaborative setting, and an Academic Skills and Thesis Seminar (5 EC), which equips them with essential competencies in academic writing, research design, and presentation. In addition, students take 10 EC of optional courses, which allow them to broaden or deepen their expertise by exploring topics of particular interest, whether within the Institute or in related disciplines. The culmination of the program is the master’s thesis and exam (20 EC), where students carry out independent research under close supervision, producing a substantial piece of scholarly work. The program as a whole encourages students to link comparative and theoretical insights with empirical case studies, thereby developing the ability to analyse historical processes in a nuanced and critical way. With its combination of seminars, workshops, electives, and thesis work, the structure is designed to foster both intellectual independence and practical research skills, preparing graduates for advanced academic research or careers in cultural, educational, and heritage institutions.