The Origin of the Modern Western Civilisation

Programme description

The master’ programme "The Origin of the Modern Western Civilisation" is designed to develop in students a comprehensive understanding of the origins of modern Western civilisation. It enables them to understand the development of the process of historical heritage reception of antiquity and the Middle Ages in general, and in certain areas of society: the economic system; the social system; political institutions; and culture
The programme also focuses on developing students’ research skills of working with historical records and scholarly literature

Our advantages

The programme provides students with an in-depth understanding of the reception processes of the ancient and medieval heritage by modern society. It enables them to understand the logic of cultural and civilisational continuity in the history of mankind
The programme is designed to form a comprehensive understanding of: the cultural and historical distinctness of modern Western civilisation, which has inherited the ancient and medieval periods of history; and the influence of antiquity and the Middle Ages on the economy, social and political systems, and the culture of the modern world

Main courses

Development of the European Identity
Monarchies in Classical Antiquity and in the Middle Ages
Development of the Modern Western Economic Model
Classical and Medieval Heritage in St Petersburg
The Structure and Practice of International Relations in Classical Antiquity and in the Middle Ages
The East and The West as a Problem in the History of Europe
Classical Antiquity and the Middle Ages in the Modern European Literature, Fine Arts and Cinematography
Everyday Life and Social Structures in Classical Antiquity and in the Middle Ages
The Constitution of the Roman Republic and Modern Political Institutions
Christianity and Church in the History of Europe

Main areas of research

Power and society in Antiquity and the Middle Ages: political formations and the issue of nationhood
Reception of ancient and medieval civilisational heritage in today’s context
Confessional conflicts and tolerance in Antiquity and the Middle Ages
Social structures and their evolution from Antiquity to modern times
Feature elements of economic life: from the ‘oikos’ model to the pro-European market
Ancient history in the culture of contemporary times
Antique collections in St Petersburg
Monuments of medieval culture in St Petersburg
East in the history of the ancient world and medieval Europe
Development of European identity from Antiquity to Modernity

Career opportunities