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Universität - Fachbereich Sprach-, Literatur- und Medienwissenschaft

German Language and Literature

eine kleine deutsche Fahne Deutsche Fassung
The course of study covers all aspects of German language and literature, both oral and written, including non-verbal forms of communication. These elements are analysed with regard to content, form and function as well as their relation to other languages, literatures and cultures.

The subject can be studied for a Master of Arts (M.A.) or for the German state teaching examination (Staatsexamen). It is divided into four areas:

Any of these areas may also be taken as a minor subject for the M.A.

Linguistics

In this area, the object of study is the German language as used today and its historical evolution. Students acquire an in-depth knowledge of the structure and usage of German and are introduced to methods of linguistic analysis. In addition, they develop their own analytical competence and learn how to present the results of their own independent work in scholarly form, both orally and written.

Literature

Medieval

This area is to be viewed as a part of a more general, interdisciplinary approach to medieval studies and not just as an isolated segment of German literary history. At its centre, however, is German language literature from the 8th into the early 16th Century. The term "literature" is understood to include texts written for the sake of art or entertainment on the one hand, and non-fictional documents on the other. The texts are studied against the historical and cultural backgrounds in which they were written, transmitted, read, interpreted and evaluated over the course of time.

Modern

This area focuses on German language literature from the 16th Century to the present day. Almost all forms of written culture from "sophisticated" literature to entertainment and trivial literature to technical prose fall within its bounds. The pertaining literature is analysed against the background of the cultural and historical background to its genesis, transmission, interpretation and evaluation.

General Comments

In both areas the aim is to equip students with the ability to produce independent scholarly work. In the process they develop general skills that can be applied beyond the field of literary studies. Students are also encouraged to develop independently an overview of the various areas encompassed by the field, particularly the history of German literature.

Low German Language and Literature

This area focuses on the Low German language in all its historical, regional, social and medial variations. Although the transition from Middle Low German (ca. 1600) marked the end of Low German's relatively independent linguistic development, since that time Low German continued to evolve in its regional forms, the plattdeutsch dialects. The course aims to teach students the essentials of the structure and usage of Low German together with the ability to use methods of literary and linguistic analysis appropriately and critically. Once equipped with these skills, they should then be able to develop a "regional communication skills base" ranging from linguistic fluency to the analysis of regional cultural processes.

Special Study Options

The subject 'German Language and Literature' has recently been expanded in the areas of Modern German Literature and Linguistics to include new fields of studies and new perspectives in the form of the Special Study Options 'Theatre and the Media' and 'German as a Foreign Language'.

Theatre and the Media

Seminars in the field of theatre provide an academic introduction to the theoretical, historical and cultural background of theatre with special regard to practical issues. The seminars offered in the field 'Media' range from the analysis of media products (films, television and radio programmes, video, new media), to media history and theory, and the analysis of media institutions and programming.

German as a Foreign Language

The focus in this field is on how German language and literature are seen from abroad. Particular emphasis is placed on the problems faced by people learning German as a foreign language and who thus encounter German literature as a foreign language literature.
Length of Study
Studies are divided into three phases whose length depends on the way the individual student organises his/her time at the University:

  1. Basic Studies (1st till ca. 4th Semester)
  2. Advanced Studies (ca. 5th till 8th Semester)
  3. Examination Phase (ca. 9th till ca. 10th Semester)
Qualifications
M.A. or State Teaching Qualification. Those studying for the High School Upper Grade Teaching Qualification should note that the regulations require knowledge of two foreign languages. No specific language knowledge is required of M.A. students but competence in English is expected.

Conditions
Applicants require a High School leaving certificate that qualifies them for University entry. Application forms are obtainable 8 weeks before the application deadline for the Winter or Summer Semesters (15th July/15th January) from the University Admissions Office (Studentensekretariat, Edmund-Siemers-Allee 1, D-20146 Hamburg).

Letzte Änderung: 28. April 1998
Übersetzung und HTML von John King
Impressum

Universität - Fachbereich Sprach-, Literatur- und Medienwissenschaft
Wappen_Uni_Hamburg