The research field

Profound changes in politics, culture, science, economy and therefore in society at large characterize the modern era (1750-1945). It witnessed the divergence between Western (Northern American and European) development and the rest of the world, and brought the domination of the world by  the  West as well as the awakening of modern non-western identities. Expression of individual human rights in the revolutions of the late 18th century was followed by a drive for emancipation of workers and women and by mass culture and politics dominating the twentieth century. The Modern Era comprised the breakthrough of rationalist thought aiming at improving the quality of life through politics and science and of the development of ideologies that inspired mass murder and genocide under the guise of science.

In our teaching and in our research we explore the full breadth of Modern History, from specific points of view and thematic approaches. We study the development of political institutions and political culture, as well as the intertwinement of politics, science, medicine and culture, in East (including Eastern Europe) and West. We focus on the individual, in culture, politics and science, with an emphasis on primary sources such as egodocuments. We assess the impact of the  philosophy of history on history writing but also on society at large, and develop methods of applying historical research on urgent topical issues.

Our staff participates in the research schools on political history and cultural history, and operates in international networks of researchers. We provide course modules in all history programmes, at bachelor, Master and Research Master level and are actively involved in the organization of teaching and examination in the History Department. We also initiate and participate in the teaching of minors and teach in programmes outside the history department. Our staff supervises a multitude of PhD-students, as well as Master- and Bachelortheses.