Prof. Dr. Heike Bungert

Chair for Modern and Contemporary History/North American History (Chair Holder)

Prof. Dr. Heike BungertBungert
Universität Münster
Department of History
Fürstenberghaus, room 218 g 
48143 Münster

Tel.: + 49 (0) 251 / 83-24333
Prof. Dr. Heike Bungert

In the summer semester 2026, Prof. Bungert is on sabbatical leave.

Office hours: Click here

Secretarial Office:
Room 218 f 
Tel.: + 49 (0) 251 / 83-25423

 

  • CURRICULUM VITAE

    Education

    • 2004 University of Cologne, Habilitation; book manuscript entitled “Feste und das ethnische Gedächtnis: Die Festkultur der Deutschamerikaner im Spannungsfeld zwischen deutscher und amerikanischer Identität, 1848-1914“ (Festivals and Ethnic Memory: The Festive Culture of German-Americans between a German and an American Identity, 1848-1914)
    • 1995 Eberhard-Karls-University of Tübingen, Dr. phil.; Dissertation, “The Western Allies and the Free Germany Committees, 1943–1955” under the direction of Profs. Jürgen Heideking (†) and Anselm Doering-Manteuffel (Grade: Dissertation Magna cum laude, Oral Exam Summa Cum Laude)
    • 1990 University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Master of Arts in History; Thesis, “American-French Relations and the Fusion of the Three Western Zones of Germany, 1945–49” under the direction of Profs. Gerhard L. Weinberg, William E. Leuchtenburg, and Don Reid (Grade: Excellent)
    • 1986-1990 Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg and University of Regensburg, Studies in History, British/American and French Literature, B.A./Zwischenprüfung

    Academic Career

    • 2009 Offer of full professorship for the History of Great Britain and North America (18th – 20th century), University of Kassel; declined
    • 2008 Professorship, since 2010 Chair for Modern and Contemporary History/North American History
    • 2007-2008 Heisenberg scholarship, University of Cologne
    • 2004-2006 Substitute Professor (Vertretungsprofessorin) for North American Social History at the University of Bremen and for Modern History at the University of Bremen
    • 2000-2004 Assistant Professor (Wissenschaftliche Assistentin), Institute of Anglo-American History, University of Cologne
    • 1998-2000 Visiting Scholar, University of California, Berkeley; Columbia University; Max Kade Institute of German-American Studies at the University of Wisconsin, Madison
    • 1997-1998 Assistant Professor (Wissenschaftliche Assistentin), Institute of Anglo-American History, University of Cologne
    • 1992-1997 Assistant Professor (Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin), Institute of Anglo-American History, University of Cologne
    • 1991-1992 Assistant Professor (Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin), Institute for Contemporary History/Chair for North American History, University of Tübingen

    Grants, Scholarships, and Prizes

    • 2007 Heisenberg Professorship, German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG (2/2008-12/2011)
    • 2005 Heisenberg Grant, DFG (1/2007-1/2008)
    • Jan. 2003 Travel Grant, DFG
    • 1998-2000 Research Grant, DFG
    • 1997 Research Grant, John F. Kennedy Institute, Free University Berlin
    • 1996 (Apr.) Travel Grant, DFG
    • 1995 Stuart L. Bernath Article Prize, Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations
    • 1994 (Jan.) Travel Grant, German Marshall Fund
    • 1992 (Aug-Okt.) Scholarship, German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, DAAD)
    • 1992 (März-Juli) Scholarship, German Historical Institute Washington
    • 1991 Research Award, Friends of the University of Tübingen (Vereinigung der Freunde der Universität Tübingen)
    • 1990 Mowry Research Award Grant University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
    • 1988-1989 Scholarship, DAAD
    • 1986-1988, 1989-1991 Scholarship, Bavarian Organization for the Advancement of Gifted Students (Bayerische Begabtenförderung)

  • Research Projects and Third-Party Funding

    • since 2019 Head of research project B3-9 "Dynamics and Traditon: German Immigrants and Religious Plurality in the USA in the 19th Century" in the Cluster of Excellence 2060 "Religion and Politics: Dynamics of Tradition and Innovation"
    • 2012-2017 Head of research project C2-3 "The Transcendental Creation of Community in a Multi-Religious Society: The U.S. from 1945 to 2005" in the Cluster of Excellence 212 „Religion and Politics in Premodern and Modern Cultures"
    • 2009-2011 Head of research project B12 „Religion and ‚Civil Religion’ in U.S. Patriotic Holiday, 1945-1990/92“ in the Cluster of Excellence 212 „Religion and Politics in Premodern and Modern Cultures", funded by the DFG
    • 2009-2011 Head of research project C9 „Symbolic Communication and Social Values in Panindian Movements “ in the Collaborative Research Center 496 „Symbolic Communication and Social Value Systems", funded by the DFG
    • 2004-2008 Member of the network „The Futures of (European) American Studies“, funded by the DFG
    • 2000-2001 Head of TransCoop project „The German Experience with the Land in Wisconsin“, University of Cologne, University of Wisconsin, Madison

  • Academic Functions and Positions

    • since 2024 Member of Editorial Board of the journal Amerikastudien/American Studies
    • since 2024 Appointment Officer of Münster University (Appointment of New Professors)
    • 2020-2024 Principal Equal Opportunity Officer of Münster University
    • 2019-2020 Member of the Coordination Commission for Evaluation                
    • 2017-2019 (Deputy) Member of the Senate Committee for Teaching and Student Affairs of Münster University
    • 2016-2020, 2024-  Member of the Senate of Münster University
    • 2015-2019 Member of the Faculty Committee for Structure, Planning and Equality (chairperson since 2018)
    • 2014-16 Executive Director of the Department of History
    • 2014-2016 Deputy member of the Rectorate Committee for Research Affairs
    • 2013-2021 Member of the Library Committee of Münster University
    • 2012-2016 Member of the Board of the Center for Religion and Modernity
    • 2012-2016 (Deputy) Member of the Faculty Council
    • 2012-2015 (Deputy) Member of the Faculty Committee for Evaluation and Student Course Review
    • 2012-2015 Deputy Chairperson of the Faculty Committee for Research, Research Funding and Junior Academic Staff
    • 2012-14 Member of the Rectorate Committee for Internationalization
    • 2012/13 Deputy Chairperson of the Evaluation Commission of the GHI Washington
    • 2010-2014 Chairperson of the working group of Non-European History (Arbeitskreis Außereuropäische Geschichte)
    • since 2009 Fulbright liaison professor, University of Munster
    • 2009-2014 Reader for Amerikastudien/American Studies
    • 2008-2013 Chairperson of the committee for the prize of The German Association for American Studies (GAAS) of the Stiftung Deutsch-Amerikanische Wissenschaftsbeziehungen (Foundation German-American Academic Relations) in the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft
    • 2007-2008 Member of the subcommittee „Ranking and Evaluation“ of the German Historical Association (Historikerverband, VHHD)
    • 2006-2014 Member of the Board of Directors of the Working Group for Non-European History within the VHHD
    • 2006-2010 Advisory Board Member H-GAGCS/H-TGS (H-Net Discussion List on German-American and German-Canadian Studies/H-Net Discussion List on Transnational German Studies)
    • 2006-2008 Member of the selection committee of the Ebeling Fellowship
    • 2005-2013 Member of the Board of Directors, German Association for American Studies
    • since 2003 Reviewer for journals, book series, research organizations
    • 2001-2003 Member of the Committee on Structural Development, School of Humanities (Philosophische Fakultät), University of Cologne
    • 2000-2002 Deputy Spokesperson for the assistant professors of history (akademischer Mittelbau), University of Cologne
    • since 2000 Member of various (partly external) appointments committees
    • 1995-2004 Member of selection committees for studying abroad and of search committees at the University of Cologne
  •  

    Publications

    Books

    Books (Monographs)
    • . “Die Indianer: Geschichte der indigenen Nationen in den USA [The American Indians. A History of the Indigenous Peoples in the United States of America].”Die Indianer: Geschichte der indigenen Nationen in den USA [The American Indians. A History of the Indigenous Peoples in the United States of America], 3. edt., C. H. Beck, .
    • . “Die Indianer: Geschichte der indigenen Nationen in den USA [The American Indians. A History of the Indigenous Peoples in the United States of America].”Die Indianer: Geschichte der indigenen Nationen in den USA [The American Indians. A History of the Indigenous Peoples in the United States of America], 2. edt., C. H. Beck, .
    • . “Die Indianer. Geschichte der indigenen Nationen in den USA [The American Indians. A History of the Indigenous Peoples in the United States of America].”Die Indianer. Geschichte der indigenen Nationen in den USA [The American Indians. A History of the Indigenous Peoples in the United States of America], C. H. Beck, .
    • . “Festkultur und Gedächtnis: Die Konstruktion einer deutschamerikanischen Ethnizität, 1848-1914 [Festive Culture and Memory: The Construction of a German-American Ethnicity, 1848-1914].”Festkultur und Gedächtnis: Die Konstruktion einer deutschamerikanischen Ethnizität, 1848-1914 [Festive Culture and Memory: The Construction of a German-American Ethnicity, 1848-1914], Ferdinand Schöningh, .Studien zur Historischen Migrationsforschung, Vol. 32
    • . “Das Nationalkomitee und der Westen : die Reaktion der Westalliierten auf das NKFD und die freien deutschen Bewegungen 1943 - 1948 [The National Committee for a Free Germany and the West: The NCFG and the Free German Movements as Seen by the Western Allies, 1943–1948].”Das Nationalkomitee und der Westen : die Reaktion der Westalliierten auf das NKFD und die freien deutschen Bewegungen 1943 - 1948 [The National Committee for a Free Germany and the West: The NCFG and the Free German Movements as Seen by the Western Allies, 1943–1948], Franz Steiner Verlag, .Transatlantische historische Studien, Vol. 8
    Books (Edited Collections)
    • Bungert, Heike, and Weiß, Jana, editors. “‚God Bless America‘: Zivilreligion in den USA im 20. Jahrhundert [‘God Bless America‘: Civil Religion in the USA in the 20th Century].”„God Bless America“: Zivilreligion in den USA im 20. Jahrhundert [“God Bless America“: Civil Religion in the USA in the 20th Century], Campus Verlag, .Religion und Moderne, Vol. 8
    • Bungert, Heike, and Lerg, Charlotte, editors. “Transnationale Universitätsgeschichte [Transnational History of Universities].”Transnationale Universitätsgeschichte [Transnational History of Universities], Franz Steiner Verlag, .Jahrbuch für Universitätsgeschichte, Vol. 18
    • Bungert, Heike, Kluge, Cora Lee, and Ostergren, Robert C., editors. “Wisconsin German Land and Life.”Wisconsin German Land and Life, Max Kade Institute for German-American Studies, .
    • Bungert, Heike, Heitmann, Jan G., and Wala, Michael, editors. “Secret Intelligence in the Twentieth Century.”Secret Intelligence in the Twentieth Century, Routledge, .Studies in Intelligence
    • Bungert, Heike, Frey, Marc, and Mauch, Christof, editors. “Verfassung - Demokratie - politische Kultur : US-amerikanische Geschichte in transatlantischer Perspektive [Constitution – Democracy – Political Culture: US American History from a Transatlantic Perspective].”Verfassung - Demokratie - politische Kultur : US-amerikanische Geschichte in transatlantischer Perspektive [Constitution – Democracy – Political Culture: US American History from a Transatlantic Perspective], Wissenschaftlicher Verlag Trier, .Mosaic, Vol. 16

    Articles

    Research Articles (Journals)
    • . “Deutsche 'Forty-Eighters' in den USA.” Aus Politik und Zeitgeschichte, Vol. 73, № 7-9, , pp. 31–39.
    • and . “Literaturbericht. Geschichte der USA. Teil II.” Geschichte in Wissenschaft und Unterricht, Vol. 73, № 1/2, , pp. 90–107.
    • . “The German Forty-Eighters in American Society and Politics.” Yearbook of Transnational History, Vol. 4, , pp. 69–112.
    • . “Literaturbericht. Geschichte der USA. Teil I.” Geschichte in Wissenschaft und Unterricht, Vol. 72, , pp. 698–712.
    • and . “The Relevance of the Concept of Civil Religion from a (West) German Perspective.” Religions, Vol. 10, № 6, , p. 366–366. doi: 10.3390/rel10060366.
    • . “The Singing Festivals of German Americans, 1849–1914.” American Music, Vol. 34, № 2, , pp. 141–179.
    • . “Migration und Internationale Beziehungen im Kaiserreich: Wilhelm II., das Auswärtige Amt und ihr Interesse an den Deutschamerikanern.” Zeitschrift für Geschichtswissenschaft, Vol. 63, № 5, , pp. 413–434.
    • and . “Transnationale Universitätsgeschichte (Einleitung).” Jahrbuch für Universitätsgeschichte, Vol. 18, , pp. 35–49.
    • . “Deutschamerikanische Sängerfeste und Lieder als Medium der Ethnizitätsbildung, 1849-1914.” Lied und populäre Kultur, Vol. 55, , pp. 41–76.
    • and . “Die Debatte um ‚Zivilreligion’ in transnationaler Perspektive.” Zeithistorische Forschungen/Studies in Contemporary History, Online-Ausgabe, Vol. 7, № 3, , pp. 454–459.
    • . “Globaler Informationsaustausch und globale Zusammenarbeit: Die International Association of Universities, 1950-1968.” Jahrbuch für Universitätsgeschichte, Vol. 2010, № 13, , pp. 177–191.
    • . “Two Times ’Geronimo’: Changes in the Representation of Native American History in Film.” Zeitschrift für Anglistik und Amerikanistik, Vol. 53, № 5, , pp. 257–272.
    • . “’Feast of Fools’: German-American Carnival in the United States, 1854-1914.” Amerikastudien/American Studies, Vol. 48, № 3, , pp. 325–344.
    • . “Deutsche Emigranten im amerikanischen Kalkül : Die Regierung in Washington, Thomas Mann und die Gründung eines Emigrantenkomitees 1943.” Vierteljahrshefte für Zeitgeschichte, Vol. 46, , pp. 253–268.
    • . “The OSS and Its Cooperation with the Free Germany Committees, 1944-1945.” Intelligence and National Security, Vol. 12, № 3, , pp. 130–144.
    • . “GLORY and the Experience of African American Soldiers in the Civil War: An Attempt at Historical Film Analysis.” Amerikastudien/American Studies, Vol. 40, № 2, , pp. 271–282.
    • . “A New Perspective on French-American Relations during the Occupation of Germany, 1945-1948: Behind-the-Scenes Diplomatic Bargaining and the Zonal Merger.” Diplomatic History, Vol. 18, № 3, , pp. 333–352.
    Book Contributions
    Research Article (Book Contributions)
    • . “James Buchanan (1857-1861): Südstaatenfreundlicher Legalist in der Krise der Union.” Die Präsidenten der USA. 45 historische Porträts von George Washington bis Donald Trump, edited by Christof Mauch, C. H. Beck, , pp. 181–187.
    • . “’Indianer’ und ‘Weiße’, ‘Edle’ und ‘Wilde’: Zur Geschichte von Indigenen und euroamerikanischen Indianerbildern.” Ost/Western: Kino, Kultur und Klassenfeind, edited by Kunsthalle Rostock, Mitteldeutscher Verlag, , pp. 26–34.
    • . “1855: Deutsch wird man erst in der Fremde: Deutsche Vereine in den USA.” Deutschland: Globalgeschichte einer Nation, edited by Andreas Fahrmeir, C. H. Beck, , pp. 369–373.
    • . “‘An Agreeable Mixture of Festivity with Solemnity‘: Graduierungsfeierlichkeiten (Commencements) an US-amerikanischen Hochschulen.” Zwischen Inaugurationsfeier und Fachschafts-Party: Akademische Festkulturen vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart, edited by Martin Kintzinger, Wolfgang Wagner and Marian Füssel, Schwabe, , pp. 143–177.
    • . “Zivilreligion in Jubiläen der US-amerikanischen Geschichte, 1957-1971.” „God Bless America“: Zivilreligion in den USA im 20. Jahrhundert, edited by Heike Bungert and Jana Weiß, Campus Verlag, , pp. 37–77.
    • . “German Americans and their Efforts to Bring ‘Cultur’ to the United States, 1848-1914.” New Perspectives on German-American Educational History: Topics, Trends, Fields of Research, edited by Jürgen Overhoff and Anne Overbeck, Julius Klinkhardt, , pp. 63–82.
    • . “Ein Fest der Zivilreligion: Amtseinführungen US-amerikanischer Präsidenten.” Rituale der Amtseinsetzung: Inaugurationen in verschiedenen Epochen, Kulturen, politischen Systemen und Religionen, edited by Helene Basu and Gerd Althoff, Ergon Verlag, , pp. 187–232.
    • . “Inklusion und Exklusion, 'Fest' und 'Feier': Deutschamerikanische Sängerfeste, 1848-1914.” Zwischen Inklusion und Exklusion: 'Deutsche' Musik in Europa und Nordamerika, 1848-1945, edited by Sabine Mecking and Yvonne Wasserloos, V&R unipress, , pp. 65–94.
    • . “Global Comments: Transnational Views of Pocahontas and Early White-Native American Interactions in ‘The New World’.” Visual Representations of Native Americans: Transnational Contexts and Perspectives, edited by Karsten Fitz, Carl Winter Verlag, , pp. 211–236. American Studies - A Monograph Series, Vol. 218.
    • . “Nationale Bildungssysteme: USA.” Bildung: Ziele und Formen, Traditionen und Systeme, Medien und Akteure, edited by Michael Maaser and Gerrit Walther, J.B. Metzler Verlag, , pp. 436–444.
    • and . “Transnationalizing American Studies: Historians’ Perspectives.” American studies, shifting gears : a publication of the DFG Research Network "The Futures of (European) American Studies", edited by Birte Christ, Carl Winter Verlag, , pp. 89–116. American studies, Vol. 158.
    • . “Europäische Migration nach Nordamerika im 19. Jahrhundert.” Migration in internationaler Perspektive [Zentralinstitut für Regionenforschung], edited by Thomas Fischer and Daniel Gossel, Allitera Verlag, , pp. 61–98. Zentralinstitut für Regionenforschung : Schriftenreihe des Zentralinstituts für Regionenforschung der Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg ; N.F., Vol. 5.
    • . “Memory and Migration Studies.” The merits of memory : concepts, contexts, debates, edited by Sabine Schindler and Hans-Jürgen Grabbe, Carl Winter Verlag, , pp. 197–219. American studies, Vol. 143.
    • . “Deutschamerikanische Ethnizitätsbildungsprozesse in San Antonio und San Francisco, 1848-1914.” Die deutsche Präsenz in den USA = The German presence in the U.S.A., edited by Josef Raab and Jan Wirrer, LIT Verlag, , pp. 57–94. Literatur, Vol. 11.
    • . “Fighting American ‘Muckerism’: German-American Festivals and their Impact on American Cultural Life, 1854-1914.” Atlantic Migrations: Regions and Movements in Germany and North America/USA during the 18th and 19th Centuries, edited by Sabine Heerwart and Claudia Schnurmann, LIT Verlag, , pp. 183–208.
    • . “Der Deutsch-Französische Krieg im Spiegel der Wohltätigkeitsbazare und Feiern deutscher und französischer Migranten in den USA, 1870/71.” Deutschland - Frankreich - Nordamerika: Transfers, Imaginationen, Beziehungen, edited by Chantal Metzger and Hartmut Kaelble, Franz Steiner Verlag, , pp. 152–170. Deutsch-Französisches Komitee für die Erforschung der Deutschen und Französischen Geschichte des 19. und 20. Jahrhunderts: Schriftenreihe des Deutsch-Französischen Historikerkomitees, Vol. 3 Geschichte.
    • . “Regional Diversity in Celebrating Regional Origin: German-American ‘Volksfeste’, 1870-1920.” Regionalism in the Age of Globalism. Bd. 2: Forms of Regionalism, edited by Lothar Hönnighausen, CSUMC, , pp. 93–115.
    • . “From Celebrating the Old to Celebrating the New: The Formation of a German-American Identity, 1859-1914.” Sites of Memory in American Literature and Cultures, edited by Udo Hebel, Carl Winter Verlag, , pp. 193–212. American Studies - A Monograph Series, Vol. 101.
    • . “Demonstrating the Values of ‘Gemüthlichkeit’ and ‘Cultur’: The Festivals of German-Americans in Milwaukee, 1870-1910.” Celebrating Ethnicity and Nation: American Festive Culture from the Revolution to the Early Twentieth Century, edited by G. Fabre, J. Heideking and K. Dreisbach, Berghahn Books, , pp. 175–193.
    • . “Edith Bolling Wilson: die erste Präsidentin der Vereinigten Staaten?” Die First Ladies, edited by Philipp Gassert and Christof Mauch, Deutsche Verlags-Anstalt, , pp. 111–120.
    • . “Nationalkomitee und ‘Paulus-Armee’: Amerikanische Sorgen anläßlich der Repatriierung deutscher Kriegsgefangener aus der UdSSR, 1945-1955.” Kriegsgefangenschaft im Zweiten Weltkrieg: Eine vergleichende Perspektive, edited by Günter Bischof and Rüdiger Overmans, Gerhard Höller, , pp. 265–279.
    • . “‘Possible Dynamite’: Ebauche d’une coopération partielle des Etats-Unis et de la France avec les communistes allemands, 1943-1945.” Il n’est point de secret que le temps ne révèle: Etudes sur l’histoire du renseignement, edited by d’Etudes Centre, Editions Charles Lavauzelle, , pp. 167–184.
    • . “‘Den deutschen Widerstandswillen brechen’: Anglo-amerikanische Pläne zur Gründung eines deutschen Komitees als Antwort auf das NKFD.” Das Nationalkomitee Freies Deutschland und der Bund Deutscher Offiziere, edited by Gerd R. Ueberschär, S. Fischer Verlag, , pp. 52–63.
    • . “James Buchanan (1857-1861): Südstaatenfreundlicher Legalist in der Krise der Union.” Die amerikanischen Präsidenten : 41 historische Portraits von George Washington bis Bill Clinton, edited by Jürgen Heideking, C. H. Beck, , pp. 170–175.
    • . “Ein meisterhafter Schachzug: Das Nationalkomitee Freies Deutschland in der Beurteilung der Amerikaner, 1943-1945.” Geheimdienstkrieg gegen Deutschland: Subversion, Propaganda und politische Planungen des amerikanischen Geheimdienstes im Zweiten Weltkrieg, edited by Jürgen Heideking, Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, , pp. 90–121.
    Entries in Encyclopediae (Book Contributions)
    • . “USA: Staat und Religion.” Lexikon für Kirchen- und Religionsrecht, edited by Heribert Hallermann and Thomas Meckel Ferdinand Schöningh, , pp. 540–543.
    • . “Native Americans.” USA-Lexikon, edited by Christof Mauch and Rüdiger Wersich Erich Schmidt Verlag, , pp. 763–774.

    Entry in Encyclopedia in a Digital Collection

    • . “Gemütlichkeit.” Encyclopedia of Milwaukee, .