Oral History and Contemporary History

Overview

The two-year, part-time MA study programme in Oral History and Contemporary History is intended for students interested in contemporary European history, interviewing methodologies, and interpretative methods. Its main aim is to train students to conduct research through creating and analysing interviews and fieldwork projects to address those issues that require interdisciplinary investigation.

The programme is focused on the study of history and its methodologies; it is also meant to provide its students with overarching knowledge of Czech, Czechoslovak, and world history. The programme offers an overview of various methodological approaches – besides the oral history tradition - which it compares and reflects critically. These include, among others: archival research; statistical research (e.g. information of demographic/economic nature, public opinion polls); pop culture research (e.g. films, radio broadcast recordings; etc.); research of media and literature; etc. The programme also provides an interdisciplinary view of history from the perspectives of political theory and international relations; political philosophy; economic and social history; or cultural history; and others.

Profile of a graduate:

Graduates of the MA program in Oral History and Contemporary History can use their knowledge and experience in a wide spectrum of professional fields which rely on understanding and taking part in interpersonal communication, especially within the context of Czech, Czechoslovak, and world history. 

The graduates are able to find employment in academia as researchers in the fields of oral history, contemporary history, qualitative research, memory studies, and similar disciplines. Thanks to their acquired skills and knowledge, they are fully competent to fulfill the roles of archivists, museologists, lecturers, methodologists, or coordinators in a variety of environments, profit and non-profit alike.

Accreditation

The MA programme in Oral History and Contemporary History is officially recognized and accredited by the Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports.