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Studies & Degrees in History of Ideas

The history of ideas studies how ideas arise, travel and change over time. Its material is the thinking of the past: philosophical systems, religious beliefs, political concepts, scientific theories and ideas about art, read in the setting in which they were formed. The division of History of Ideas and Sciences at Lund University describes the field as exploring how religious, philosophical, political and scientific ideas interact with changes in society, and how ideas and knowledge have been created, transmitted, received and changed throughout history. Context is the working method: an idea is placed in its time and place before it is judged.

The subject is also taught under the names intellectual history and, in Scandinavia, history of ideas and sciences. It sits between philosophy and history. Students read primary texts closely, from antiquity to the present, and learn to follow one concept through several centuries and several disciplines.

Qualifications and levels

History of ideas is a full degree subject in only a few countries. Elsewhere it is a specialisation inside a history, philosophy or interdisciplinary humanities degree.

  • Bachelor's degree. Aarhus University offers a bachelor's degree in Idéhistorie. Students examine important thoughts and ideas from antiquity to today, and the courses follow how ideas developed in philosophy, religion, natural science, technology, social theory and aesthetics. In the third year students choose a supplementary subject. The university describes it as full-time study of 37 to 40 hours a week, much of it independent reading. The programme is approved with Danish as its language; admission requires Danish at A level, English at B level, history or a related subject at B level, and one more language.
  • Interdisciplinary major in the United States. The University of Washington in Seattle has a Department of Comparative History of Ideas (CHID). Its bachelor's major examines ideas in their cultural, historical and political contexts and requires 60 CHID credits, including a senior project of 10 to 15 credits. One way to meet the cultural engagement requirement is a quarter on a CHID study abroad programme.
  • Master's degree. The Aarhus master's degree in Idéhistorie is a two-year full-time programme. Graduates of other degrees can qualify with 30 ECTS credits in subjects with history of ideas or philosophy content, and applicants must document Danish at A level. Lund University offers a master's programme in historical studies with a specialisation in the history of ideas and sciences. ETH Zurich has a Master of Arts in History and Philosophy of Knowledge, a related programme on the relationship between knowledge and social order.
  • Doctorate. Warnborough College Ireland offers a PhD in the History of Ideas by distance learning. The college lists a minimum duration of three years, a master's degree or equivalent as the prerequisite, and a dissertation of 20,000 to 25,000 words in addition to written papers on core modules such as Darwinism, political concepts and science and faith. The college describes itself as a self-accredited institution that awards degrees under its Articles of Association, so ask what recognition the qualification has in the country where it will be used.

Where to study

SpainExchange lists 8 active schools for history of ideas. Two are in the United States, and Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Spain have one each. The list includes Aarhus University, Lund University, ETH Zurich, the University of Washington, Pitzer College in Claremont, and the two Warnborough colleges in Canterbury and Dublin.

The language of instruction follows the country. The Aarhus degrees are approved with Danish as their language, although the university notes that parts of the teaching and much of the reading can be in English. The Lund master's programme is presented in Swedish. The programmes in Seattle, Claremont and at Warnborough are taught in English.

Careers

The degree does not lead to one regulated profession. It trains reading, analysis and writing, and graduates use those skills in several sectors. Aarhus University lists typical jobs of its master's graduates: communication consultant or editor at a publishing house, analyst or adviser, coordinator or project manager, and teacher at upper secondary schools, folk high schools or universities. The University of Washington gives sample job titles of CHID alumni that range from attorney and data analyst to marketing manager and professor. ETH Zurich names academia, journalism, policy consulting and museums as destinations for graduates of its master's programme.

An academic career requires a doctorate. Teaching in schools depends on national rules, so check which subjects and teaching qualifications are required in the country where you want to work.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between history of ideas and philosophy?

Philosophy asks whether an argument is valid. The history of ideas asks where an idea came from, how it changed and how it interacted with the society around it, and it covers religious, political and scientific ideas as well as philosophical ones.

Can I study history of ideas in English?

Yes, but the choice is limited. The Comparative History of Ideas major at the University of Washington is taught in English, while the Aarhus degrees are approved with Danish as their language and require Danish at A level.

How long does a degree in history of ideas take?

The master's degree at Aarhus University takes two years of full-time study. The distance-learning PhD at Warnborough College Ireland lasts a minimum of three years.

What jobs do history of ideas graduates do?

Universities name communication and publishing, analysis and advisory work, project management, teaching, journalism, policy consulting and museums.