How to do European History? Current Approaches and Controversies

"How to do European History?" is intended to question historiographical assumptions and refine methodological skills. It is dedicated to a mapping of approaches in the history or histories of Europe. It engages with current controversies in the field, questioning Europe’s borders and margins, its foundational narratives, and its periodization. Discussions will be based on the reading of key texts on different aspects of European history from the early modern period to the contemporary period, all the while embracing a wide range of methodological approaches: from political history to intellectual history, from gender history to historical anthropology or cultural history.

Learning outcome

This course aims at:

• Exposing students to a variety of themes and critical approaches to European History.
• Allowing students to give and receive feedback from peers and faculty members on their work.
• Giving students the opportunity to identify potential academic mentors from institutions other than their own.
• Ensuring the international mobility of students.

Admission requirements

Admission to EUH4500 at the University of Oslo requires:

• Enrolment in the joint MA programme in European History, at one of the partner universities (Belgrade, Humboldt, Oslo, Paris or Vienna).
• Enrolment in a master's programme in modern history at a Circle U. university

Ranking of applicants

If there are more eligible applicants than available places, all applicants will be pooled together and chosen at random to ensure that all eligible candidates have an equal opportunity to participate.

Circle U. students accepted to this course are exempt from paying tuition fees.

Submit your application by 15 February 2026

Teaching

The course consists of a cycle of six online seminars, each taught by a faculty member from a different partner institution. The seminars are followed by an in-person five-day  "summer school" held at one of the partner universities, during which students present their theses, receive feedback from peers and mentors, visit archives and museums, and meet different practioners of history.

Compulsory assignment

During the seminar cycle, in order to qualify for the exam, each student needs to

• write a book review,
• hold an oral presentation.

Examination

The course is assessed by a portfolio, consisting of

• written feedback to one of their peers
• a reflection paper on how the course has questioned or stimulated their own research and writing of the master’s thesis 

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale.

Funding

The course is organized as a blended intensive program (BIP) within Erasmus+, and hence you may apply for a grant at your home university.

Please contact the mobility office at your university for more information:

• Aarhus University: aarhus@circle-u.eu
• University of Belgrade: Nikola Savic nikola.savic@rect.bg.ac.rs
• Humboldt Universität zu Berlin: berlin@circle-u.eu
• King’s College London: Students are not eligible for Erasmus+ funding, but may have access to internal funding. Please check for funding opportunities or contact the Circle U. Team for more information: circle-u@kcl.ac.uk
• UCLouvain: no grant is available, as the course is hosted by UCLouvain
• Université Paris Cité: circleu.iro@u-paris.fr and online at u-paris.fr
• University of Pisa: circleU.erasmus@unipi.it and on our website.
• University of Vienna: circle-u@univie.ac.at