History is happening all around you—not just in the classroom. College of Liberal Arts History graduate students have the unique opportunity to study abroad at the University of Erfurt in Germany, students can join an association or club, work toward awards or scholarships, conduct research at the Center for the Study of Force and Diplomacy, and/or attend weekly Teach-Ins.

Graduate Study at the University of Erfurt

Erfurt is a stunning medieval city with winding streets and graceful market squares in the center of Germany, two hours by train from Frankfurt and Berlin. Largely untouched by the bombing of World War II, Erfurt is a blend of old and new. It is perhaps most famous as the place where Martin Luther studied as a young man. In fact, the monastery where he lived and prayed hundreds of years ago is still standing.

The University of Erfurt sits just on the outskirts of town. With its 6,000 students, it offers a wide range of programs in fields from public policy to education. One of the distinctive strengths of the university is its history department. Within the department, there is strong focus on North American Studies. One of the advantages of this semester abroad program, then, is to study the United States outside of the United States. The department at Erfurt has three specialists in US history and regularly hosts visitors from around the world who study the US and offer classes and one-on-one instructions in Erfurt.

There are two options for spending time in Erfurt. One is to spend a semester there as a visiting student. Because this is an official exchange between Temple University and Erfurt, your tuition costs would be exactly the same as if we were spending the semester in Philadelphia. Officials at Erfurt help with housing options. The second option involves the Temple History Department sending two graduate students to Erfurt to present their work and sit in on classes. Students have to apply for this option and will receive a grant to travel to Erfurt.

Sample Graduate Seminars

Below are samples of graduate seminars offered in recent years. All of these classes are taught in English. The readings are in English and the discussions are in English. (Note:, the university also offers beginning and intermediate courses in German.)

• From Victorianism to Viagra: History of Sexuality in the United States
• The History of Work in Modern America
• Colonial History: Methods and Research Fields
• American Military History as Social History and Body History
• Vietnam on TV: Ken Burns’/Lynn Novick’s Documentary and How America Remembers the Vietnam War
• Food, Culture, and Environment in Modern America
• Photography and Colonialism
• Histories of the Body

Please contact Professor Bryant Simon with any questions about this study abroad option.

Temple University History and Social Science Association (TUHSSA)

Temple University History and Social Science Association is the main undergraduate student group for History majors and minors. TUHSSA’s main objective is to serve undergraduate students interested in history, political science and economics. We sponsor a lecture series, historical movie nights, panels for students, day trips to historical sites and much more. TUHSSA also provides a tutoring service and publishes an annual Undergraduate History Journal. In addition, TUHSSA works closely with CENFAD, the Dissent in America Teach-Ins and the History Honors Program.

• For more information, or if you’d like to join, please contact us at tuhssa@gmail.com.

• Connect with TUHSSA on Facebook!

The James A. Barnes Club

The purpose of the James A. Barnes Club is to foster a sense of community among History graduate students. Graduate study is not only intellectually challenging (and rewarding) but emotionally draining as well. Coursework is intense, and graduate students in the History Department shuttle between Temple University’s Center City Campus (TUCC) and Main Campus, often without seeing a sympathetic fellow graduate student. All too often, graduate school can be an isolating, intimidating place. The Barnes Club works to change that.

Our organization is a support group for the concerns and issues that graduate students face each day. The Barnes Club serves as a vital liaison between graduate history students and the History Department, informing students about department events and voicing our concerns to the faculty. The Barnes Club email list distributes important information on department events and activities, conference and career opportunities and Barnes Club social events to our members.

• Learn More about the James A. Barnes Club

Awards and Scholarships

The History Department offers a number of awards to undergraduates who demonstrate excellence in their History courses. At the end of the spring term each academic year a handful of students are selected to receive recognition for their research and writing abilities.

For a complete list of departmental and college level awards and scholarships you may be eligible for, please visit the History Scholarships and Financial Aid page.

Dissent in America Teach-Ins

Evolving from Prof. Ralph Young’s Dissent in America course, students gather to discuss the historical background to the current political situation in the world. The Teach-ins are held Fridays, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in 914 Gladfelter Hall (the Weigley Room). Please check the Temple University Calendar of Events at the beginning of the semester to see the teach-in schedule.

• If you have a suggestion or idea for a speaker or topic, please fill out the following form.
• Follow the Dissent in America Teach-ins on Facebook!

Learn More about our Teach-Ins!:

• The article “The Right to Dissent” in the 2003 Philadelphia Inquirer article, History Scholars Fight Present War.
• The Associated Press & WPVI Channel 6 report on the Oct. 15, 2004 teach-in. The AP article was published in over 50 news sources including CNN, The Washington Post, The Guardian, New York Newsday, The Miami Herald, The Chicago Sun-Times, & many others.
• Professor Young’s article on dissent in the July 2004 issue of USA Today Magazine.
• An article about the teach-ins in the March 2010 issue of the AHA’s Perspectives on History