European History
Convenor
Description
The strengths of the European history program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill include a distinguished faculty, a varied curriculum, a receptivity to innovative methodological approaches, a stimulating and cooperative intellectual atmosphere, and an exceptional range of research resources.
Faculty members guide an exciting and challenging academic curriculum building on a legacy of excellence in areas of Medieval and Early Modern History, French History, English History, Italian and Mediterranean History, and German and Central European history. (See also our separate field information on Russian and East European history.) The size and expertise of the faculty allow for an intellectual community capable of achieving “critical mass” in the study of European political, social, cultural, gender, intellectual, and economic history. At the same time, the existence of these discrete areas of specialization also creates possibilities for stimulating connections between fields and has led to the formation of unique clusters of expertise within and beyond the European field.
Graduate Program
The European history program is distinguished by the willingness of faculty and students to explore such new approaches to the study of history as cultural history, gender history, and comparative history. This receptivity to innovative methods is complemented by a commitment to sound and rigorous training in the development of traditional research and writing skills. The combined resources of two fine research libraries at UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University, with extensive special collections ranging from English local history to Napoleonic prints to National Socialism and German Unification, offer a diverse and singularly invaluable asset for graduate study. In addition, faculty-student colloquia, regular interdisciplinary seminars, and the Center for European Studies provide added extra-curricular opportunities for academic discourse.
The European history program takes great pride in the accomplishments of its graduate students. As a result of a highly selective admissions process, the department is able to fund a high percentage of graduate students. Of equal importance is the promotion of an open and supportive environment for graduate study. This includes an accessible faculty closely involved in students’ intellectual and professional development. The close cooperation between faculty and students finds expression in the success of our graduates in receiving grants and awards such as Bundeskanzler, Chateaubriand, and Fulbright, as well as in the excellent placement record achieved by graduates of the European history program.
For information on the European field graduate comprehensive exams, consult the Graduate Student Handbook.
For a current list of faculty working in the Field of European History, please go to the Faculty Page and click “European History” in the Interests/Concentrations tab.
For a current list of graduate students working in the Field of European History, please go to the Graduate Students page and click “European History” in the Interests/Concentrations tab.