The study of history focuses on a subject that is neither directly tangible nor definitively complete. Instead, it must be continually constituted and explored anew, based on the experiences, challenges, and orientation needs of each present moment. This requires a high degree of conceptual and methodological awareness (critique) and compels reflection and reevaluation of one’s own perspective. Academic work in this field fosters an awareness of one’s own position.
The subject of history is the evidence of human actions, sufferings, and thoughts that are regarded as significant by a given present. To analyze these, history employs a highly differentiated and ever-evolving set of scientific methods. Chronologically, history is divided into Classical Antiquity (8th century BCE–6th century CE), the Middle Ages (5th–16th century), and Modern History (16th century to the present). Spatially, it encompasses all continents and cultures, with a particular focus at Frankfurt am Main on the history of Central and Western Europe.
Systematically, history is divided into various areas of inquiry based on different research interests, including the history of ideas, political history, social and economic history, history of science, history of religion, and more. The diversity of methods within historical disciplines naturally results in an interdisciplinary structure for the course.
Studying history as a minor provides other fields with the essential historical perspective while equipping students with practical additional qualifications. Methodological fundamentals for analyzing all epochs (from Classical Antiquity to the present) allow for self-selected focal points that lead to deeper engagement with the questions and challenges of modern historical research. At Frankfurt, the strong emphasis on transdisciplinary research offers students, alongside specialized study, extensive opportunities to connect with other fields even during their course of study.