History in the Public Sphere is a two-year masters program, run by Central European University and Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. It focuses on the ways the past is represented, contested, and negotiated in the public sphere, exploring various contexts from the early modern period to the present in a comparative and transnational way. It is organized around four thematic foci, which cover the most pressing questions historians and practitioners have been faced with in an increasingly connected, globalized world:
- the institutionalization of memory and the politicization of history;
- visual representations and medialization of history;
- histories of inclusion and exclusion;
- and entanglements between national, regional, and global frameworks of history.
The program aims to bring together historical scholarship and civic engagement to prepare students for careers in producing, translating, and disseminating historical knowledge through museums, journalism, archives, broadcasting, and digital communication. It also lays special emphasis on developing skills and social competences through study trips, practitioner workshops, and internships, which enable graduates to work with non-experts and civic actors in the process of disseminating historical knowledge. Concerning the final product of the program, students can choose between writing an academic thesis and making a capstone project. The curriculum of the program is based on the former History in the Public Sphere Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree program (HIPS).
The first academic year is spent at CEU PU in Vienna and the second at TUFS in Tokyo.
Financial Aid
CEU offers a variety of degree scholarships, including tuition waivers and stipends to supplement the cost of living in Vienna. Funds to support the research of MA students are also available. TUFS also offers stipends to selected students based on merit.
Admissions
Apply through CEU's admissions portal
Entry requirements
- electronic versions of all higher education academic records
- curriculum vitae or resume
- motivation letter (max. 500 words), highlighting the candidate’s reasons for applying to the program, relevant academic or work experience, and future career plans (under "document uploads" in the online application form).
- research proposal: a 500-word research proposal for the MA thesis which will be weighed heavily in the admissions decision. The topic is expected to fall within the broad thematic focus of History in the Public Sphere and should be delimited and set out with the greatest possible clarity. Previous work on the subject, familiarity with source materials, language skills, and other qualifications relevant to the proposed research should be indicated (Sample proposal 1; Sample proposal 2)
- proof of English proficiency
- two letters of recommendation