The history curriculum at the Undergraduate College

History at Sciences Po has a tradition of political history, cultural history and the history of international relations, mainly in the 20th century.

In recent years, history at Sciences Po has been enriched by new themes such as transnational history, the history of wars and violence, art history, the history of public policy and social actors, gender history, the history of science, urban and environmental history, and digital history. History at Sciences Po has also expanded geographically (Europe, the Americas, Russia, Africa, Asia) and chronologically (from the 18th to the 21st century).

All faculty members now teach history courses in French and English within the Undergraduate College.

The first year history courses

Two compulsory courses on the history of 19th century Europe and the global history of the contemporary world (20th-21st centuries) form the backbone of the history curriculum in the first year.

• In the first semester, teaching focuses on the political and social transformation processes in 19th-century Europe, between the end of the Napoleonic Wars and the mass society that emerged at the dawn of the 20th century.
• In the second semester, the aim is to encourage students to reflect on contemporary global issues in the light of the historical experiences of the last century and the current century.

Deepening your understanding of history through the second-year major

With this foundation in contemporary history, students can choose the major in History in their second year. Like all majors, it consists of two lecture courses (one of which is associated with methodology classes), which aim to deepen students' historical knowledge.

In addition to a fundamental course on representations and uses of the past, history is explored through research seminars and methodology workshops.

Continuing your studies with a Master's degree

After completing their Bachelor's degree, students can choose to continue their studies at one of Sciences Po's eight graduate schools, depending on their interests and career aspirations. The history courses followed during the undergraduate programme provide a solid foundation for analysing political, economic and social developments over time.

Students who wish to explore this approach in greater depth often choose the School of Research, which enables them to develop rigorous historical thinking and methodological skills in the social sciences. History also plays an important role in other master's programmes, notably at the School of Public Affairs, the School of International Affairs, the Urban School and the School of Management and Impact, where it sheds light on public policy, diplomacy, regional planning, and economic and environmental change.

These different pathways allow students to deepen their understanding of contemporary issues through the tools and methods of history.

Find out more about Sciences Po’s master’s programmes related to history (FR).