Lectures at
Vytautas Magnus University
Lecture materials are only available to registered students and only through the moodle system.
VMU students who are taking my courses or have ever attended any of them can come to any of the lectures I am currently giving. I won't ask any further questions :)
Regardless of what is stated in the course description, students of any age and major can listen to my lectures and enroll in the courses.
Fall Semester
European historiography. Intended for fourth-year historians. We usually read some classic book by a European historian and discuss it during lectures/seminars. For example, Le Roy Ladurie's "Montaillou Village", Le Goff's "Birth of Purgatory", D. Frick's "Kith, Kin, and Neighbors: Communities and Confessions in Seventeenth-Century Wilno", etc. During the semester, we read one book consecutively. Students' grade depends on their general activity during the semester.
History of Lithuania in English. Oriented to foreign students, although Lithuanians also enroll. Lithuanian history is taught through the contexts of neighboring and more distant countries. For example, the establishment of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania is discussed through the current intersection of Lithuanian and Belarusian historical narratives, the 16th century through the problematics of Lithuanian-Polish relations, the 18th century through the prism of the migration of artists from the Lugano coast to the Grand Duchy, etc. Groups are large (over 100 students). Assessments – three essays that must be written during the semester according to the topics assigned by the teacher.
Historical Memory: Conflicting Interpretations of the Past. I teach for half the semester (another teacher completes the rest of the semester); the course is intended for Master's students in History. Depending on the semester, we delve into the legal regulations of the Western world that limit the science of history and/or into conflicting narratives of common history (e.g. Lithuanians-Belarusians, Ukrainians-Poles, Germans-French, etc.).
Applied History of Art and Mentality. This course for Masters in History is about the relationship between Western art, primarily architecture, and the history of mentality. The identity issues of various European nations and communities are analyzed, especially in their relationship with the visual environment.
German History. Intended for students of German language and culture. Knowledge of German is not required, but desirable. German history is discussed from ancient times to the present. Much attention is paid to the topics of culture, art, and identity.
Spring Semester
Philosophy of history. For fourth-year history students. We usually read some classic book and discuss it during lectures/seminars. It can be G. Vico's "New Science", O. Spengler's "The Decline of the West", A. Toynbee or something similar. During the semester, we read one book consecutively. Students' grade depends on their general activity during the semester.
Everyday history. An elective course primarily aimed at undergraduate students majoring in History. The content is highly dependent on the students enrolled. Usually, a classical book dedicated to the history of everyday life is read and discussed during the semester. For example, Ph. Ariès "Western Attitudes Toward Death from the Middle Ages to the Present."
History of Economics. Elective course primarily aimed at undergraduate students majoring in History. Most often, some classic book on economic history is read and discussed. For example, F. Braudel "Material civilization, economy and capitalism", K. Marx "Capital" and so on.
Historical contexts of Francophone countries. Taught every few years and aimed primarily at students of French philology. Basically, this is the history of France broadly understood. Knowledge of French is preferred but not required.
Correspondent of the Lithuanian National Television in Washington, Augustinas Šemelis, talks about his history studies at Vytautas Magnus University. His bachelor's thesis was on the historical relations between Italians and Lithuanians. The video was recorded in Washington, D.C., at the end of 2025.
Topics for coursework, bachelor's and master's theses are offered
I offer topics for coursework, bachelor's and master's theses to historians, students of Italian and French language and culture studies, as well as to anyone who finds them interesting. You can choose any topic, whatever your major. Also, we can discuss any topic a student can suggest, especially if it is related to my sphere of academic interests.
IMPORTANT: for writing a coursework, please apply no later than the first month of the semester (September or February), and for bachelor's and master's no later than September