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: Summer Semester 2025
North American Studies Course Catalog (Summer Semester 2025)
BACHELOR PROGRAM
Orientation Module
Migration in American History, Sebastian Jobs, Mondays, 12:00-14:00
Asian American History, Helen Gibson, Wednesdays, 10:00-12:00
Advanced Module B: History of North America since 1865
From Honeymoon to Headaches: Turkish-American Relations During the Cold War, Lesar Yurtsever, Mondays, 10:00-12:00
Trans History, Helen Gibson, Wednesdays, 12:00-14:00
Colloquium
BA Colloquium History, Jessica Gienow-Hecht, Mondays, 12:00-14:00
MASTER PROGRAM
Module B: North American History Before 1865
History of the Body in Colonial America, Sebastian Jobs, Tuesdays, 10:00-12:00
Diseases in Early America, Sebastian Jobs, Tuesdays, 12:00-14:00
Module C: History of North America after 1865
History of U.S Foreign Relations, Jessica Gienow-Hecht, Thursdays, 16:00-18:00
From Opium to Lithium: The U.S and China, 1800s to Today, Jessica Gienow-Hecht and Ines Eben von Racknitz, Thursdays, 18:00-20:00
Colloquium
MA Colloquium History, Jessica Gienow-Hecht, 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)