I. Bachelor

Exam

  • 4 hours, written
  • 2 topics to prepare; one topic will be chosen
  • In German or English (you may use a dictionary)

****Send me an email to register your exam by the first day of the faculty registration period: BA-Abschlüsse****

Exam preparation

By 28 Feb/30 Sept

Suggest at least two exam topics via email. The topics have to concern 19th or 20th century African History south of the Sahara. Ideally, they are related to one of my courses that you have taken. Choose a topic that is relatively broad and well-covered in the historiographical literature. I will get back to you and confirm two of the topics you have chosen or discuss alternatives with you. ***Please note that African history counts as “modern history”. Thus, you cannot take the BA exam in African history if your seminar paper already was in modern history.***

By 15 Mar/15 Oct

Submit one bibliography per topic (email). The bibliographies should contain:

1-2 books (preferably monographs, but also edited volumes are okay); 4 articles

By 15 April/15 Nov

Send me a list of bullet points to line out the main clusters of themes for each of your two topics. Ideally, such a list would contain 4-6 larger themes with 4-6 subtopics each. One thematic cluster will concern historiographic debates.

Sign up for an office hour-appointment (Sprechstunde), in which we will discuss your lists and possible points of focus for the exam.

By 7 May/1 Dec

Send me your finalized bibliographies and bullet point lists.


II. Master History (Studienfach)

 

Exam

  • 30 mins oral exam
  • 2 topics to prepare; both topics will be addressed
  • In German or English

****Send me an email to register your exam by the first day of the faculty registration period: MA-Abschlüsse****

Exam preparation

By 28 Feb/30 Sept

Suggest at least two exam topics via email. The topics have to concern 19th or 20th century African History south of the Sahara. Ideally, they are related to one of my courses that you have taken. Choose a topic that is relatively broad and well-covered in the historiographical literature. I will get back to you and confirm two of the topics you have chosen or discuss alternatives with you.

If you have written your MA thesis under my supervision, one of the two topics will consist in the defense of your thesis. For this purpose, I will send you a feedback on your thesis (but not the grade) prior to the exam. On this basis, you prepare an introductory statement of 5 minutes, in which you address the points of criticism.

By 15 Mar/15 Oct

Submit one bibliography per topic (email; not applicable for the part concerning your M.A. thesis defense). The bibliographies should contain:

2 books (preferably monographs, but also edited volumes are okay); 4 articles

By 15 April/15 Nov

Send me a list of bullet points to line out the main clusters of themes for each of your two topics. Ideally, such a list would contain 4-6 larger themes with 4-6 subtopics each. One thematic cluster will concern historiographic debates.

You can also send me a short source pertaining to one or both of your topics – an extract from a text, an image, a very short film clip etc. – that you prepare for the exam. During the exam, you will be asked to make a short introductory statement (3 minutes) discussing the source. This is not mandatory. If you do not want to bring a source, I will just start with questions.

Sign up for an office hour-appointment (Sprechstunde), in which we will discuss your lists and possible points of focus for the exam.

By 7 May/1 Dec

Send me your finalized bibliographies, bullet point lists, and (if applicable) source.


III. Master African Studies

Exam

  • 60 mins oral exam
  • 3 topics to prepare; all three topics will be addressed
  • In German or English

****Send me an email to register your exam by the first day of the faculty registration period: MA-Abschlüsse****

Exam preparation

By 28 Feb/30 Sept

Suggest at least three exam topics via email. The topics have to concern 19th or 20th century African History south of the Sahara. Ideally, they are related to one of my courses that you have taken. Choose a topic that is relatively broad and well-covered in the historiographical literature. I will get back to you and confirm three of the topics you have chosen or discuss alternatives with you.

If you have written your MA thesis under my supervision, one of the three topics will consist in the defense of your thesis. For this purpose, I will send you a feedback on your thesis (but not the grade) prior to the exam. On this basis, you prepare an introductory statement of 5-7 minutes, in which you address the points of criticism.

By 15 Mar/15 Oct

Submit one bibliography per topic (email; not applicable for the part concerning your M.A. thesis defense). The bibliographies should contain:

2 books (preferably monographs, but also edited volumes are okay); 4 articles

By 15 April/15 Nov

Send me a list of bullet points to line out the main clusters of themes for each of your two topics. Ideally, such a list would contain 4-6 larger themes with 4-6 subtopics each. One thematic cluster will concern historiographic debates.

You can also send me a short source pertaining to one, two or all of your topics – an extract from a text, an image, a very short film clip etc. – that you prepare for the exam. During the exam, you will be asked to make a short introductory statement (5 minutes) discussing the source. This is not mandatory. If you do not want to bring a source, I will just start with questions.

Sign up for an office hour-appointment (Sprechstunde), in which we will discuss your lists and possible points of focus for the exam.

By 7 May/1 DecSend me your finalized bibliographies, bullet point lists, and (if applicable) source.

IV. Criteria for grading exams

BA exams

Your final grade is a composite of your preparation phase and the actual exam.

Expectations concerning exam preparation:

  • Time frame and deadlines are respected
  • Topics are developed independently 
  • Identification and convincing selection of relevant research literature
  • Incorporation of feedback from the examiner
  • Submission of bibliographies and bullet point lists in due time
  • Correct and complete references

Criteria for the exam:

  • The essay responds to all aspects raised in the research question
  • Lucid and succinct narrative
  • Accurate factual statements
  • Convincing application of concepts and theories (if applicable)
  • Clear structure
  • Correct spelling and grammar (unless you are not a native speaker)

 

MA exams

Your final grade is a composite of your preparation phase and the actual exam.

Expectations concerning exam preparation:

  • Time frame and deadlines are respected
  • Topics are developed independently 
  • Identification and convincing selection of relevant research literature
  • Incorporation of feedback from the examiner
  • Submission of bibliographies and bullet point lists in due time
  • Correct and complete references

Criteria for the exam:

  • Answers are succinct and relevant
  • Answers reflect the candidate’s capacity to deal with research literature and sources in a competent and independent manner
  • Factual correctness of the given answers
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