History

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The purpose of this Bachelor’s degree study programme is to acquire and internalize the basic level of education and special competences for the professional work of a historian, namely taking up high school knowledge. Students will acquire an overview of Czech and general history from prehistoric times up to the present and will acquaint themselves with the methodology and organization of historical research and important moments in historiography. Choosing facultative lectures and seminars, students can focus their interest in specific historical periods or topics. The study of history is intended not only for those concerned with the field of history and historiography, but also for people interested in other social sciences and humanities: the Bachelor’s degree study programme in history represents a suitable introduction to further study in different disciplines, since it provides basic information and findings about the function, logic, and structure of human society in the course of history. Students learn how to work with historical sources and how to obtain, analyse, and contextualize their information potential. Students are directed in both the individual searching and critical sorting of information. Abilities in relevant argumentation and independent critical thinking are particularly encouraged and desired. Acquiring such knowledge and competences is very important in terms of the nature of the field, i.e. the fact that knowledge and understanding of history is not direct, but mediated through historical evidence.

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After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

understand context, be familiar with the basic methodological approaches, and be able to define key terms in historical development
demonstrate being well versed in the literature, work with sources and interpret them, and show a command of the basic methodology of historical research in their written work

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Graduates are qualified for posts as lower professional assistants in academic institutions, libraries, and information, documentation, and bibliographical centres and museums, as well as for work in the media and in publishing.

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History can be studied as a single-subject degree or a double-subject degree in combination with other Bachelor’s degree study programmes at the Faculty of Arts (apart from psychology) or in combination with some study programmes at the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Social Studies. The standard duration of a Bachelor’s degree study programme is three years.

At the end of the programme, students sit the Bachelor’s final state examination, which can only be taken by students who have earned a total of 180 credits as follows: a) 106 credits for type A/required and type B/selective courses, 64 credits for type C/elective courses from history courses or courses offered by other departments, 10 credits for courses common to all students of the Faculty of Arts (philosophy, physical education, and a foreign language) for the single-subject degree; b) 90 credits/80 credits for history courses for the double-subject thesis/non-thesis degree, and 10 credits for courses common to both subjects.

During the course of their studies, students should follow the study catalogue valid for their year of matriculation. The study catalogues for the individual years of matriculation are available at the Faculty of Arts and Department of History websites.

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The Bachelor’s final state examination consists of a viva or defence of the thesis (for students in the diploma study programme) and an oral examination in history. The Bachelor’s final state examination is designed to test students’ basic knowledge of the history of the Czech lands and Czechoslovakia and of general history from the early Middle Ages to the present, as well as their familiarity with historiography and their mastery of the basic principles of historical research.

Through their thesis, students demonstrate their understanding of a particular topic and their ability to work academically under the guidance of a professional supervisor. The understanding of the topic and the level of presentation of the topic are assessed at the viva.

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After completing the Bachelor’s degree study programme, it is possible to continue further studies (after satisfying the admission requirements) in the Master’s degree study programme of historical studies and related subjects.

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Students

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