Historical Anthropology -

Tools for Research and Knowledge Transfer

The study of European Ethnology sharpens the understanding of social possibilities. In order to recognize possibilities, it is helpful to understand historical development. The team of the Würzburg Chair of European Ethnology/Cultural Analysis researches human beings as part of interconnected communities of living beings in their historical development. In doing so, we also enquire into (forgotten) alternatives and bodies of knowledge. The degree program in Historical Anthropology prepares students for a future career in museums and other cultural institutions.

Learning to Read Old Handwritings

Students at the Würzburg Chair of European Ethnology/Cultural Analysis are trained to read historical letters, diaries and other written legacies in specially developed reading courses. In the reading course “Erlesenes Franken”, for example, citizens and students get together to read old handwritten documents from the region. In this way, the course facilitates the acquisition of basic skills in historical-anthropological research as well as creating an awareness of local-regional historical heritage. At the same time, it creates an intergenerational, urban-rural-university learning culture.

The reading courses "Erlesenes Franken" are offered in the winter semester.

Exploring New Living Environments together

In the group of the Würzburg Chair of European Ethnology/Cultural Analysis dealing with so-called ego documents, students and other interested parties read historical testimonies relating to the writer themselves, such as diaries, letters and other sources from the Franconian region. The citizen science project explores new sources for further historical-anthropological research and strengthens the connection to local-regional civil society.

reading group for students AND other interested parties
in the audio portrait series "Empirische Kulturwissenschaft im Gespräch", Bachelor student Aaron Zant reports on the reading group

Acquire Additional Skills during Your Studies!

The certificate “Understanding Historical Environments” is offered jointly with the discipline of Museum Studies. It trains students to develop a particular focus with a view to future careers in museums (not just cultural history museums).

certificate

Teaching Historical Anthropology

Courses in the winter semester 2023/24

Hexen und Hexenverfolgungen oder, wie Erzählungen Realitäten erzeug(t)en (Witches and witch hunts or how narratives create realities), Dr. Susanne Dinkl M.A. - Bachelor seminar
Henker, Mägde, Hexentänze – Mittelalter in der Populärkultur (Executioners, maids, witches' dances - the Middle Ages in popular culture), PD Dr. Sebastian Dümling - Bachelor seminar
Alte Häuser, frische Erinnerungen und recycelte Popkultur. Alltägliche Gegenwarten des Historischen (Old houses, fresh memories and recycled pop culture. Everyday presences of the historical), PD Dr. Sebastian Dümling - Bachelor seminar
Vergangenheiten erzählen (Narrating the past), Prof. Dr. Michaela Fenske - Master seminar + lecture

Understanding historical becoming (anew)

Researchers and students at the Würzburg Chair of European Ethnology/Cultural Analysis are conducting new research in the field of Historical Anthropology. A particular focus is on the examination of ego documents as a special way of telling stories about one’s own life.