Prehistory and Early History (B.A.) (two subjects)

A spadeful of the past: The archaeology of prehistory and early history enables us to reconstruct non-literate societies from the Stone Age up until the Middle Ages on the basis of excavations and the most modern analytical methods. This degree programme offers numerous points of contact with neighbouring subjects and connects theoretical knowledge with practical activity in the best possible way. A good degree qualifies students for a continuing Master's degree programme at Göttingen.

Programme name: Prehistory and Early History
Degree: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) (two subjects)
Standard period of study: 6 semesters
Start: Only each winter semester
Language of the programme: German

Admission to the winter semester 2018/19:

• 1st subject semester: open admission (enrolment without previous application)
• 2nd to 6th subject semester: open admission (enrolment without previous application)
• International applicants (non-EU): open admission (application to International Student Services)

Subject description
Prehistory and Early History is a historical cultural science. Working with material relics, it examines environment, economics and social organizational forms of early mankind as well as art, traditions and religion. Its aim is to analyze and reconstruct cultural-historical correlations and developments and development processes beyond the spatiotemporal framework. The working area of prehistory and early history begins with the appearance of man and ends temporally and spatially there where significant amounts of written sources appear in addition to archaeological findings. Omitted from the broad span of this working area are archaeological disciplines that have established themselves as independent subjects (Egyptology, Ancient American Studies, Assyrian Studies, Christian Archaeology, Classical Archaeology, Near Eastern Archaeology).

The programme enables graduates to continue on with Master's studies in the subject "Prehistory and History" as well as qualifies graduates for an occupational field. The programme therefore gives students a broad scientific education. Students will acquire the skills needed to conduct independent scientific work as well as extensive knowledge on European Prehistory and Early History with a concentration in Central Europe and bordering areas. Students will acquire and learn to apply basic scientific terms, theories and methods pertaining to Prehistory and Early History. In practical blocks (especially field internships, excursions) students will become familiar with several fields of occupation. For successful studies in the subject "Prehistory and Early History" students should have good knowledge in at least two modern European foreign languages. Students are additionally recommended to acquire reading skills in additional foreign languages. A concentration in the historical-geographical field acquired during school education and special interest in issues pertaining to environmental history are also required.

Occupational fields
Graduates of the subject "Prehistory and Early History" find their primary fields of occupation in institutions for the preservation of historical monuments and in museums. To a certain extent, there is also a demand for graduates from private excavation companies in Germany and abroad.

The occupational possibilities in universities and other research institutes are much fewer. The perspectives in the cultural, journalistic or commercial field, however, have increased over the last few years. The programme takes these various occupational perspectives into account.