Department of History and Civilization

The aim of the Department of History and Civilization (HEC) is to develop a distinctive programme of the transnational and comparative history of Europe, one that is conscious of the dangers of national models, of the need to study the construction of the boundaries of Europe and to insist on the variety of experiences within these boundaries.

The rich variety of research approaches and themes, as well as the wide backgrounds of its professors, enable the Department to accept only high-quality applications from all over Europe.

This diversity allows the Department to offer all its members an opportunity to take part in a truly international scientific community, unmatched by any other institution of higher learning in the world.

Our central concerns are the interlinking among societies in Europe from the early modern period until the present and the complex cultural legacies that have shaped Europe today. The HEC community is also committed to exploring the place of Europe in worldwide processes and institutions.