Course at a Glance
Course: HIST 317J
Class and Credits: Heidelberg Through the Ages (3 credits)
Location: Heidelberg, Germany
When: 11 June to 8 July 2025
On-Site Heidelberg: 19-22 June 2025
Registration By: 28 May 2025
Status: Closed
Highlights:
The Roman Empire and Heidelberg
Dark times during the medieval centuries
History of Germany’s oldest university (1386)
Philosopher's Path
Mark Twain and Heidelberg
- Heidelberg during the Third Reich
- WWII and Post-War Heidelberg and the U.S. Military
Tuition and Fees:
$750.00 Undergraduate 3-credit hour tuition cost
$300.00 Field Study Additional Fee (Museum/ticket fees, excursions)
Not included: Meals, transportation to and from the location, and hotel accommodations.
Head to Germany to visit popular landmarks and explore history during this field study program at UMGC Europe.
Visit the famous city of Heidelberg and learn about its fascinating history, from its early origins to the present. Explore Heidelberg's role as a political and religious center and a focal point of the German romantic and post-romantic movements. You will study German history, the history of Heidelberg, and the rise and fall of powers through lectures and visits to well-known landmarks in this charming city. May apply for general education requirements in humanities, history major and minor, electives, and Italian Studies associate or certificate.
Topics include:
- The Roman Empire and Heidelberg
- Dark times during the medieval centuries
- History of Germany’s oldest university (1386)
- Philosopher's Path
- Mark Twain and Heidelberg
- Heidelberg during the Third Reich
- WWII and Post-War Heidelberg and the U.S. Military
Faculty member: Dr. Heike Raphael-Hernandez, e-mail heike.raphael-hernandez@faculty.umgc.edu
May apply toward upper-level credit for the history major and minor, arts, humanities, general education requirements, and electives.
Course Details
Pre-Course and Week 1
You will gain access to the online LEO classroom approximately 1 week prior to the start of the course. The official course start date is 11 June 2025. Once you gain access to the classroom, take a virtual walk-through of the course and begin reading assignments
Online class times and dates:
Zoom meetings- 14 & 28 June
On-Site in Heidelberg
19-22 June. Times and meet-up points will be determined by Dr. Heike Raphael-Hernandez
Tentative itinerary location and times:
Thursday, 19 June
- 10:00 Meeting point: TBA
- Tour of the Old city center and old bridge
Historical mountain railway
Heidelberg castle tour (possible guided tour)
Königsstuhl
Night Watchman tour
Heidelberg and America Part I: Mennonites and Germantown in Philadelphia, 17th century
Friday, 20 June
- 10:00 Meeting point: TBA
Tour of university (important historical buildings, i.e. the Witch Tower)
Marstall
Historical university library
University’s old ceremonial hall and museum
Heiliggeist Church
Heidelberg and America Part 2: Mark Twain and his Heidelberg: A boat ride to Neckarsteinach and castles along the river
Saturday, 21 June
- Meeting point: TBA
Heidelberg and the Third Reich
Heiligenberg: Celtic and Roman sites; St. Michael monastery; Third Reich amphitheater
The Other Holocaust: Sinti and Roma Museum (Entrance free)
Jewish history in Heidelberg
Sunday, 22 June
- 10:00 Meeting point: TBA
Philosopher’s Path
Heidelberg and America Part 3: WWII and US Military Presence
Mark Twain Center (Museum for U.S. Military Presence in Heidelberg)
Textbooks and Course Materials
Please refer to the current course syllabus found on the online web schedule of classes for details about course materials.
Registration Details
You may register for the 3 credit field study course with your local program coordinator or online at MyUMGC. Tuition assistance or financial aid can be applied toward tuition costs. For more information, contact the UMGC Field Study Office at CIV +49-(0)631-534-800, or e-mail fieldstudies-europe@umgc.edu.
Before completing your travel plans, please verify with your local program coordinator or the Field Study Office at UMGC Europe Headquarters that the course will be held as scheduled. If you drop/withdraw from a field study course after the registration deadline, you will be charged a fee of $100.
How is a field study course different from a regular course?
A field study course packs all of the 48 contact-hours of other courses into adventure-filled days on location, so you can earn one to three credits at an accelerated pace. In addition, rather than taking place in an education center, a field study course takes place in a historical European city where the subject being studied has its roots. You will visit historical sites and museums as well as participate in lectures that bring it all together for a one-of-a-kind learning experience.
For more information, please visit the Field Study Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page.
Helpful Hints
Before you leave:
- Contact your travel agency concerning insurance coverage for cancellations.
- Contact your health insurance company for information concerning coverage at your destination.
- Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of your destination country.
- Check the weather forecast for your destination.
- Obtain city maps for your destination.
- Leave contact information with people at home who may need to reach you during the course.
- Make sure your legal affairs are in order and leave a short-term power of attorney with someone you trust.
- Make two photocopies of your passport and the contents of your wallet--leave one copy at home and bring the other with you.
For more information, please visit the Field Study Resources page.