Study
When studying history, there is often little time to deal with the sources in archives. Anyone who reads a lot of secondary literature and opens up the world of science in this way is initially a long way from working with original sources. It is often only necessary to work on sources yourself as part of a thesis. Although archive-based research does not mean less work, it is a good preparation for the Bachelor's or Master's thesis or dissertation.
Archive and university
Multi-volume overviews are often consulted at the beginning of a course of studying. But how does such a “finished” history end up in a textbook? Overviews can only result from a mass of differentiated individual studies. The sources examined for this purpose in the archives contain very different points of view, nuances and statements. They can be questioned and analyzed from different perspectives. History can be rediscovered and described again and again with new questions. A look into the sources can help to gain a new perspective.
Archive work for students
Methodology is trained by working with original sources. Such basic research is often appreciated by lecturers in their assessment of work.
The Landesarchiv Nordrhein-Westfalen will be happy to advise you on the availability of usable sources for your desired topic.
Please contact the relevant department by e-mail beforehand:
East Westphalia-Lippe department: owl[at]lav.nrw.de
Rhineland Department: rheinland[at]lav.nrw.de
Westphalia Department: westfalen[at]lav.nrw.de
Ran an die Quellen
The Rhineland Department of the Landesarchiv Nordrhein-Westfalen organizes afternoons for students and academics. Here, participants from the university context are introduced to archival research.
The event gives participants an insight into the Landesarchiv Nordrhein-Westfalen. The basics of archival research will be explained and deepened using specific examples. Participants can also take a look behind the scenes during a tour of the archive.
Offers
We offer students
- Advice on searching for sources for seminar papers and dissertations
- Participation in the regular workshop “The allure of the archive. Methods workshop for students and doctoral candidates” in the Westphalia department
- Internships to find a career
- The opportunity to spend a practical day in the archive with the Career Service of the University of Münster.
We offer lecturers
- guided tours of the archive based on the topic of your seminar/exercise
- Workshops with your seminar group with original sources in our rooms, which we prepare together with you according to your needs
- We come to your seminar/exercise at the universities of Bochum, Hagen, Münster and Siegen to hold an event on the subject of “Archives”. We adapt to your wishes: “Sources” or “Archive structures” or “Researching in the archive” or “Job profile” or ...
- We will send you our brochure: “Ran an die Quellen. Introduction to student archive work” free of charge and also as a set for all seminar participants
Research
You can find information on researching on the “Find and use” page. Three videos provide support in using the archive portal. They were produced in cooperation with the Hochschule für Polizei und Verwaltung (Duisburg site).
If you quote from sources or refer to sources, these sources must be cited. You can find out how to cite the archive material of the Landesarchiv Nordrhein-Westfalen correctly on the “Good to know” page. The handling of copies is also explained there.
Career
Are you interested in working in an archive? You can find training opportunities and job vacancies in the “We about us" section.
- Copy URL
- Facebook share