Bachelor Master Doctorate

History of Modern Times

Abstract

In the History of Modern Times bachelor programme, students deal with the time period from the 16th to the 20th century. Special consideration is thereby given to the development of social norms, the transformation of social networks and the new possibilities of self-expression during this era. The changing images of social order (or disorder) and the functionality of social systems are compared and related to each other.
A special characteristic of the study programme in Fribourg is the early specialisation and in-depth study of the developments of this time. This allows for a depth of focus in the studies that has not been reached in this way before.
The study of modern and contemporary societies is characterised by an intensity of support that cannot be guaranteed by any other German-language university. It is possible to absolve a bilingual course of study.

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    Profile of the study programme

    The search for the roots of societal institutions, cultural sign systems, economic rules and political conflicts constitute a core interest of historical sciences; another one is the analysis of the otherness of past societies and how they saw themselves and others. As is the case for other study programmes of historical sciences, the study of modern and contemporary societies is intended to give the graduates knowledge and techniques that enable them to become scientifically active in these fields of research.

    This goal is attained in a way that is only offered in this form in Fribourg. Instead of a late focusing on an era and a wide offer of methods, this study programme focuses on early specialisation and an in-depth study of the developments between the 16th and 20th century. It combines looking at history up until today with an analysis of those early modern structures that were a precondition for it. Special consideration is thereby given to the development of social norms, the transformation of social networks and the new possibilities of self-expression. The changing image of social order (or disorder) and the functionality of social systems are compared and related to each other. This allows for a depth of focus in the studies that has not been reached in this way before. From the very start, students are given the opportunity to relate the issues of the 20th and the 21st centuries to those from the emerging modern era. They gain the ability to view current and historical problems based on their historical background and methodically get to the heart of them. They learn to weigh different opinions of research against each other, illuminate sources in a critical way, arrange facts, formulate problems and defend theses.

    The study of modern and contemporary societies is characterised by an intensity of support that cannot be guaranteed by any other German-language university. Here, lecturers can deal with questions and suggestions from students quickly and extensively. Another special feature is the possibility of absolving a bilingual course of study.

    On gaining a bachelor's degree, graduates are free to pursue further specialisation and produce their first scientific work.

    Apart from the academic options, the competences that have been acquired are well suited for a wide spectrum of professional activities. Particularly worth mentioning are the fields of journalism, publishing, management consulting and administration.

Studies organisation

Structure of studies

120 ECTS credits + 60 ECTS credits in a minor study programme freely chosen, 6 semesters

Curriculum

http://studies.unifr.ch/go/QgyUs (French)
http://studies.unifr.ch/go/l7ufr (German)

Comments

It is not possible to choose both this study programme and a programme in the fields of History and Contemporary History.

Admission

The following Swiss school-leaving certificates grant admission to bachelor programmes at the University of Fribourg:

  • Swiss academic Maturity Certificate
  • Federal vocational or specialised Baccalaureate + supplementary examination of the Swiss Maturity Commission (passerelle)
  • Bachelor Degree from a Swiss university, from an accredited Swiss university of applied sciences (HES/FH) or from a Swiss university of teacher education (HEP/PH)

A complete list of all further recognised Swiss school-leaving certificates is to be found on the webpages of swissuniversities (in French and German only): https://studies.unifr.ch/go/fr-admission-swisscertificates; https://studies.unifr.ch/go/de-admission-swisscertificates
Foreign upper secondary school-leaving certificates are recognised only if they correspond substantially to the Swiss Maturity Certificate. They must qualify as general education. Foreign school-leaving certificates are considered to be general education if, among other things, the last three years of schooling include at least six general education subjects, independent from each other, in accordance with the following list:

  1. First language
  2. Second language
  3. Mathematics
  4. Natural sciences (biology or chemistry or physics)
  5. Humanities and social sciences (geography or history or economics/law)
  6. Elective (computer sciences or philosophy or an additional language or an additional subject from category 4 or 5)

The general admission requirements to the bachelor programmes at the University of Fribourg for holders of foreign school-leaving certificates as well as the admission requirements for individual countries are to be found on the webpages of swissuniversities: https://studies.unifr.ch/go/en-admission-countries
In addition, foreign candidates must present proof of sufficient language skills in French or German.
All guidelines are available at (only in French and German): https://studies.unifr.ch/go/adm-guidelines

The assessment of foreign school-leaving certificates is based on the «Recommendations for the Assessment of Foreign Upper Secondary School-Leaving Certificates» adopted by the Chamber of universities of swissuniversities on 11.11.2021 (https://studies.unifr.ch/go/swissuniversities21fr; https://studies.unifr.ch/go/swissuniversities21de). The admission requirements are valid for the respective academic year. The Rectorat of the University of Fribourg reserves the right to change these requirements at any time.

Minor study programmes to be chosen

Key points

Degree conferred

Bachelor of Arts

Languages of study

Possibility to study in French, in German or in French and German. Some courses are offered in English.

Options

For information on the optional award of the distinction «Bilingual curriculum, French/German», please contact the relevant Department (see Contact).

Commencement of studies

Commencement of studies in the Autumn Semester (September) or in the Spring Semester (February)

Access to further studies

This bachelor programme qualifies students for the master programmes General and Swiss History of Modern Times, History, Contemporary History.

Contact

Faculty of Humanities
Department of History
Prof. Claire Gantet (French)
claire.gantet@unifr.ch
http://studies.unifr.ch/go/fr-history
Dr Francesca Falk (German)
francesca.falk@unifr.ch
http://studies.unifr.ch/go/de-history

Apply for admission

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