European Expansion and Globalisation (research)

Specialisation of: History (research)
Degree: Master of Arts in History (research)
Mode of Study: Full-time
Duration: 2 years
Start date: September, February
Language of instruction: English. Classes for which reading knowledge of Dutch is required may be taught in Dutch.
Location: Leiden
Croho/isat code: 60139
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The Research Master’s specialisation in History of European Expansion and Globalisation focuses on the global interaction between Europe and its outside world of Asia, Africa and the Americas. Students will investigate the (reciprocal) political, socio-economic and cultural impact of colonial domination and post-colonial nation-building and development.

The programme stimulates a highly comparative and connective attitude towards cross-cultural phenomena such as diasporas, trading companies, maritime trade, including the slave trade, colonial empires, religious missions (both Christian and Islamic) and intelligence networks.

What makes the Leiden specialisation unique is the combination of this global, bird’s eye view with an in-depth use of primary sources, always under the close supervision of first-class Leiden scholars.

With unique documentation centres and libraries on Asia and Africa within reach, as well as easy access to the National Archives and the Royal Library in The Hague, the programme is able to offer you one of the most in-depth and complete studies on the history of European expansion and globalisation currently available in the Netherlands.

Boasting an outstanding reputation within the field of global history, the research group on this specialisation works in close collaboration with the Forum for the History of European Expansion and Global Interaction (FEEGI) in the United States, and is responsible for the publication of the well-known research journal Itinerario.

If you are interested in a career in teaching, you can follow a teacher-training MA at the ICLON Graduate School of Education once you have graduated from the master’s programme. You have to speak fluent Dutch to follow the course, and there are some additional entry requirements.

Prof. Leo Lucassen

Leo Lucassen

“By placing migration, integration and urbanisation in a historical perspective, we consider migration as a structural feature of human communities.”

“The master’s specialisation in Migration and Global Interdependence is one of the five research themes of the Department of History. We teach students to think in historical terms about migration, networks and institutions. We place developments in their historical context and compare them both in terms of time and place, using comparative history as an important tool. To what extent does the structure of a city, a region or a country influence integration, for example?

Migration is a very topical subject. Why is migration regarded now, as opposed to at other times, as problematical? On the one hand, the development of the welfare state, which also manifests itself at a local level, plays a role. National governments are struggling with the dilemma that they need migrants for the employment market, but they do not want these migrants to make too much use of the social security provisions.

On the other hand, at the same time since the French Revolution increasing emphasis has been placed on equality in Western Europe. This means that we are less accepting of inequality than previously. It also implies that in statistical terms inequality is made more visible than in the past, whereby newcomers, particularly those who integrate more slowly, are categorised as problematical.

By placing migration, integration and urbanisation in a historical perspective, we consider migration as a structural feature of human communities. This master’s therefore stresses continuities with past experiences, but at the same time shows important breaks with previous periods. In my view that’s very important.”