Cultural Theory and History
Degree
Combined bachelor, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). Please refer to the ‘Bachelor’s and master’s courses at HU’ FAQ as required.
Standard time for completing course
6 semesters
Start of study and Entry Restriction
Cf. course catalogue
Combinations and course structure
Cultural History and Culture is offered as:
- Core subject: 120 CP*, with a second subject to be selected from the ‘Combined bachelor without teacher training’ course catalogue (not available with German Sign Language as a second subject)
- Second subject: 60 CP, with a core subject from the ‘Combined bachelor without teacher training’ course catalogue
* One credit point (CP) is calculated to equal a workload of 25 to max. 30 hours for preparation, follow-up and attendance at teaching sessions.
Content of studies
Cultural Studies at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin focuses on the historical and material-oriented analysis of European cultures from classical antiquity to the present. It builds from the position that cultures are formed through knowledge and knowledge practices. The processes of adoption and change within cultures take place over long periods of time. Within this framework, Cultural Studies deals with systems of perception and evaluation, symbolic orders, cultural, media and body techniques, gender hierarchies, myths and religious cults, and art.
The Berlin Cultural Studies course is primarily a cultural theory discipline in the tradition of German-language cultural studies (Freud, Simmel, Weber, Cassirer, Warburg and Benjamin). It also integrates the stimuli of post-structuralism, gender research and media theory. The focus of research and teaching includes historical anthropology, the theory and history of cultural techniques, cultural studies of aesthetic and the history of knowledge. As an interdisciplinary subject, the Cultural Studies course is open to the innovations of English-language cultural studies, although the former differs significantly through greater emphasis on the historical dimension of cultures.
Find the course and examination regulations with module descriptions, the course curriculum and other details at www.amb.hu-berlin.de, no. 50/2014.
The best place to find information about course content is the annotated university calendar (see: hu-berlin/vorlesungsverzeichnis).
Cultural Theory and History as a core subject (120 CP)
Mandatory Modules (80 CP)
Introductory Module: Theories – Methods – Canon, 10 CP
Module 01: Texts – Images – Objects, 10 CP
Module 02: Perception – Imagination – Bodies, 10 CP
Module 03: Techniques – Practices – Materialisations, 10 CP
Module 04: Knowledge – Structures – Media, 10 CP
Module 08: Exemplary Studies, 15 CP
Module 09: Concluding module - incl. Bachelor's thesis, 15 CP
Mandatory elective Modules (20 CP)
2 of the following 3 modules must be completed:
Module 05: In-depth Perception – Imagination – Bodies, 10 CP
Module 06: In-depth Techniques – Practices – Materialisations, 10 CP
Module 07: In-depth Knowledge – Structures – Media, 10 CP
Mandatory interdisciplinary elective Modules (20 CP)
Free choice of modules of the relevant programmes offered by other subjects or central departments (for example the Language Centre or the Career Centre); up to 10 CP can be recognised for an internship or a qualified professional activity (6-8 weeks). "Sprungbrett" - internships can support you.
Cultural Theory and History as a second subject (60 CP)
Mandatory Modules (50 CP)
Introductory Module: Theories – Methods – Canon, 10 CP
Module 01: Texts – Images – Objects, 10 CP
Module 02: Perception – Imagination – Bodies, 10 CP
Module 03: Techniques – Practices – Materialisations, 10 CP
Module 04: Knowledge – Structures – Media, 10 CP
Mandatory elective area (10 CP)
1 of the following 3 modules must be completed:
Module 05: In-depth Perception – Imagination – Bodies, 10 CP
Module 06: In-depth Techniques – Practices – Materialisations, 10 CP
Module 07: In-depth Knowledge – Structures – Media, 10 CP
General elective courses offered for students coming from other courses of studies
Module 10: Perspectives of Cultural Theory and History, 10 CP
Master’s degree
You can apply for the Cultural Theory and History master’s programme at HU (www.amb.hu-berlin.de, no. 51/2014). Find information on this and other master’s courses in the ‘Course catalogue’.
Addresses
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Cultural History and Theory: Georgenstraße 47, 4th floor, Tel. +49 30 2093-66292, www.culture.hu-berlin.de, kuwi-info[at]culture.hu-berlin.de
Course Advisory Service & classification and recognition of studies and qualifications: Dr. Brohm, room 4.34, Tel. +49 30 2093-66279, holger.brohm[at]cms.hu-berlin.de
Applications: www.hu-berlin.de/studium/compass/wie
Links to job market: careers information centre, Hochschulteam calendar of events
Version: February 2020
Back to Course catalogue
Contact for questions or feedback regarding this page: studienberatung@uv.hu-berlin.de