Faculty of Philosophy Historical Methodology

Long-term cooperation agreements mean that representatives from numerous important cultural and scientific institutions in Heidelberg, in the region, and across the federal state, are regularly involved in the courses offered across the degree programme. Such actors play a critical role in ensuring that specialist topics with relevance to professional practice are integrated in teaching and learning. Such institutions include the University Library and the University Archives, the Academy of Sciences and Humanities, and the Kurpfälzisches Museum in Heidelberg. Further afield, across the region and state more widely, the department collaborates with the Worms town archive, the Reiss-Engelhorn-Museen in Mannheim, the Historical Museum of the Palatinate in Speyer, the Generallandesarchiv Karlsruhe and the UNESCO world heritage site, Kloster Lorsch. Beyond this, the department collaborates with the German Historical Institute Paris. Students are strongly encouraged to complete work placements during the course in order to gain insight into potential areas of employment. Students are also given the opportunity to develop their practical skills by participating in various field trips.

International research and access to high quality research literature is essential for the effective study of historical methodologies. Students are therefore advised to spend a semester or a year abroad during the Bachelor’s degree programme in Historical Methodology. This is not, however, a compulsory component of the academic programme. The exchange programmes organised by the Department of History (e.g. Erasmus programmes, European Liberal Arts Network) supports students should they wish to study abroad. Heidelberg University cooperates with a number of universities across the world at which students might spend a period of study. Lectures and courses attended abroad, and any credits gained, may be recognised by the Department.