Suggest at least two exam topics via email. The topics have to concern 18th to early 20th century southern African History and/or modern European imperial history. 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 historiography. 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”. You cannot take the BA exam in African history if your seminar paper already was in modern history.***

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

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

Send me a list of bullet points to outline the major themes in your two topics. Ideally, such a list would contain 2-4 larger themes with 2-4 subtopics each. One thematic cluster has to focus on historiographic debates.

Sign up for my office hours, in which we will discuss your lists and possible points of focus for the exam.

Suggest at least two exam topics via email. The topics have to concern 18th to early 20th century southern African History and/or modern European imperial history. 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 historiography. 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.

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

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

Send me a list of bullet points that outlines the major themes in your two topics. Ideally, such a list would contain 2-3 larger themes with 2-3 subtopics each. One thematic cluster has to focus on historiographic debates. 

For each theme, you need to formulate a main argument (thesis statement) supported by evidence from the literature.

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 my office hours, in which we will discuss your lists, thesis statements, and possible points of focus for the exam.

Suggest at least three exam topics via email. The topics have to concern 18th to early 20th century southern African History and/or modern European imperial history in Africa. 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 historiography. 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.

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

Send me a list of bullet points to outline the major themes in your topics. Ideally, such a list would contain 2-3 larger themes with 2-3 subtopics each. One thematic cluster has to focus on historiographic debates. 

For each theme, you need to formulate a main argument (thesis statement) supported with evidence from the literature.

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 my office hours, in which we will discuss your lists and possible points of focus for the exam.