European History and Civilization

This major is intended to equip students with an understanding of European integration, while inspiring them to re-imagine "Europe" and its future by studying Europe's past – in depth and in breadth. It features courses on big themes such as democracy, totalitarianism, geopolitics, memory, culture and warfare, the making of the global economy and the fallout from European empires, as well as focused topics in the history of Central and Eastern Europe, Balkan countries, and the Mediterranean and other seas.

The second semester study trip is an integral part of the academic programme, participation is obligatory and students are expected to attend all related conferences and activities. It counts for 2 ECTS.

Students following one of the Majors are obligated to select a total of seven Specialist Courses. The following rules apply: 

  • Students of the EUN and EHC Majors need to select two courses from the list of European Regional Studies courses.

Specialist courses

  • LEWIS, M. A. – Crimes against Humanity, Genocide, and International Justice (20h, 4 ECTS)
  • SEGRETO, L.R. – Europe and the Global Economy from the Industrial Revolution to the Internet (20h, 4 ECTS)
  • WONGSURAWAT, W. – The End of Empires: Decolonization of Asia with comparative references to Africa and Latin America (20h, 4 ECTS)
  • CICHOCKI, M.A. – From the Greek Agora to the Ukrainian Euromaidan and War: the History of Ideas of Democracy in Europe (20h, 4 ECTS)
  • DUIJZINGS, G. – Flow and Friction along the Danube: Globalization and its Local Discontents (20h, 4 ECTS)
  • MINK, G. – Usages et mésusages des stratégies mémorielles, entre la paix et la guerre : de 1945 à Poutine (20h, 4 ECTS)
  • MOORHOUSE, R. – Totalitarian Ideologies and Dictatorships in Twentieth-Century Europe (20h, 4 ECTS)

Master’s thesis colloquium

Students are automatically registered in the major's research colloquium.

MINK, G.; BUTTERWICK-PAWLIKOWSKI, R.; CICHOCKI M.A.; DĘBSKI, S. & ROZUMALSKI, J. – European History and Civilization Research Colloquium

Simulation games

Participation in the simulation games is optional.

  • BUTTERWICK-PAWLIKOWSKI, R. – The Congress of Vienna 1814-15 (8h, 0 ECTS)

Cooperation with external partners

The Cooperation with External Partners modules are optional. There is no limit on the total number of these modules that can be taken by the students.

  • MIKOS-SKUZA, E. – Introduction to International Humanitarian Law (17h, 0 ECTS)
  • Workshops in history organized in cooperation with the Max Weber programme of the European University Institute (TBC, 0 ECTS) 

The academic programme above applies to the 2026-2027 academic year and reflects the version approved by the Academic Council as of 18 June 2026.

Professional development

The Skills and Capacity Building offer complements the academic programme with on-site, made-to-measure support and guidance in helping to shape the students’ professional paths.

Language courses

In addition to benefitting from a bilingual study programme, students can take advantage of language courses on offer implemented by the Languages and Intercultural Dialogue Office. The following languages are on offer: English, French, Italian, German, Polish, Russian, Spanish and Arabic. The courses are tailored to the individual students' needs, and are also focused on transversal skills required by employers.

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