Modern Europe

The broad rubric of Modern Europe encompasses a wide array of fields and approaches. Some graduate students place particular emphasis on national fields or geographical areas, from the British Isles to Russia and from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean, but others organize their studies around an approach or theme, be it intellectual developments, social and economic relations, diplomacy, or global power. Our program makes possible a variety of research orientations, and further encourages transnational and comparative work. In all cases, students work out their program of study in close consultation with faculty.

Courses: First-year students are required to take GR8910 Introduction to History and Historiography. Students in Modern European History are advised to take GR8061 Topics in Modern History within the first two years (if offered). All students are required to take 6 courses in the first year and four courses in the second, chosen in consultation with the advisor. After approval by the advisor, the student should submit a copy of each paper for their file. All first and second year students participate in occasional colloquia and workshops organized by the European wing and will have opportunities to present their research in that setting.

Languages: Language requirements vary according to the field and research specialization of the student. Students are, however, required to pass a minimum of two language examinations before the orals in Western European fields (ordinarily in French and German, although one language may be substituted), three language examinations in the East Central European field, and two language examinations (ordinarily including Russian and French and/or German) in the Russian field.

Orals: Students prepare four orals fields, one of which must be in a field outside the student’s major area of interest or in a discipline other than history. Orals are to be taken in the fifth, or at the latest the sixth, term.

Dissertation Prospectus: Students are encouraged to defend their dissertation prospectuses in their sixth term or early in their seventh.