History and Civilizations Department

UC Essay Competition 2020: Read Iliyana Nalbantova…

_We are publishing the first prize winner in the University Council Essay Competition 2020 [http://www.aubg.edu/news/aubg-announces-university-council-essay-winners-for-2020/]. Iliyana Nalbantova ('20), who also won last year, offers a thoughtful analysis on "how might we use what has been learned from the coronavirus pandemic to advance humanity," which was this year's topic. _

AUBG Alumni Talks: Elvin Guri (’96) Talks Life aft…

_AUBG's largest alum donor, Albanian-born Elvin Guri (’96) has donated $1,100,000 to the university and has provided more than 250 students with scholarships. His contribution, however, goes beyond monetary support -- Guri has been actively involved with the university as a Board member for many years. We reached out to him to learn more about his perspective on the importance of alumni engagement, why he stayed in Bulgaria and his advice for rec…

Yavor Kiryakov ('12), AUBG MultiTalent Quest…

_Teacher, volunteer, leader – it is hard to imagine anyone more fitting to head the SOCIAL CHALLENGE Hack of the AUBG MultiTalent Quest [https://www.aubg.edu/quest] than alumnus Yavor Kiryakov ('12). Founder of University for Kids, an NGO that inspires youngsters to discover the world of arts, science and technology, Yavor has always been passionate about social change. Back at AUBG, he was the President of the Better Community Club and a regular…

AUBG Wins Three First and Two Second Places at the…

_AUBG scored traditionally high at the Bulgarian University Rankings, with all five evaluated disciplines at leading positions. The university is number one in the country in the professional fields Administration & Management, Political Science and Public Communications & Information Sciences and holds second place in Economics and Informatics & Computer Science.*_

Understanding humanity through studying what’s gone before

Where better to gain unique insight into how the world evolved, by studying alongside fellow students from over 40 countries. Disciplines like history, philosophy and anthropology are crucial in organizing and assessing evidence, interpreting complex events and issues and evaluating and solving problems. Students in this department learn to process information and express their ideas with elegance and rigor. This is a critical skill in all fields of decision-making and research such as academia, government, law, journalism and even marketing.

By understanding the past, embracing cultural differences and delving into sources of conflict, in other words, by studying “the other”, you will not only experience the diversity of the world, but also learn to relativize and reconsider your own identity. Thus, you will develop a better understanding of who and what you actually are.

Students take part in regular debates, exhibitions and projects and set off to explore museums, archaeological sites and places of historical interest in Bulgaria and the region. Many students contribute to the undergraduate academic journal Thoth as well as presenting their projects at the annual AUBG Student-Faculty Research Conference.

The department offers a major in History & Civilizations. Minors include History, Anthropology, Philosophy & Religion, and Southeast European Studies. Most of AUBG’s graduates with a History & Civilizations Major enrolled in highly prestigious graduate programs.

Did you know that:

Students in the honors track in History and Civilizations work on original research projects over two consecutive semesters and under the supervision of faculty.
AUBG is part of the oral history project “Topoi of Historical Memory,” a multidisciplinary study of the national and minority realms of historical memory.
Students present scholarly work in history and philosophy at the annual Student-Faculty Research Conference.
AUBG organizes educational trips to museums, archeological sites and places of historical interest in Bulgaria and the region.
AUBG organizes a history retreat in Blagoevgrad or places of historical interest in Bulgaria and the region every year in the spring semester.
The departments hosts weekly debates, exhibitions, movie screenings, and guest lectures with the participation of prominent scholars and intellectuals from Bulgaria and abroad.
The undergraduate academic journal Thoth is run by AUBG students and publishes scholarly work in the humanities and social sciences.