Universität - Fachbereich Sprach-, Literatur- und Medienwissenschaft
Universität - Fachbereich Sprach-, Literatur- und Medienwissenschaft
 |
Deutsche Fassung |
In the course, Scandinavia is considered to be a unified historical and cultural block, an aspect which is reflected in our classes as well as in research literature. The continental Scandinavian languages, after a period of acclimatisation, can be mutually understood and thus it is expected that students should not just master one language, but should also make the effort to study the others on offer so that classes in these languages can also be followed. Apart from introductory and comparative classes, the languages of instruction are Danish, Swedish and Norwegian.
Alongside language teaching in these three main languages, the course aims to deepen students' knowledge of the national literatures, with emphasis on the Modern Period (from Baroque writers onwards). The focus is on the writers of the 19th and 20th centuries and particular attention is paid to literary developments since 1945, i.e. contemporary Scandinavian literature. This emphasis is strengthened by guest lectures and poetry readings, especially in connection with the annual Nordic Literature Festival here in Hamburg.
The four progressively graded basic language classes (total 16 hours/week spread over the basic study period) also provide an introduction to the respective cultures. Building on this foundation, further classes introduce students to linguistics and literary studies (total for the period of basic studies: 4 hours/week). Further seminars are offered, many of which are interdisciplinary in character, and are taught together with subjects such as History, Political Science, Geography, Art or Music History.
Scandinavian Studies at the University of Hamburg concentrates on the following areas:
The fourth area, Regional Cultural Studies, is regrettably not available to the desired extent at the moment as the Chair in Modern (Scandinavian) History is still vacant.
Medieval Literature (Saga, Edda, Skaldik) is not offered. Instead, active language skills are emphasised, not least because these offer better career prospects for students.
The course aims to give students a solid grounding in at least two Scandinavian languages as well as in selected areas of Scandinavian literature and culture. As is typical for German Universities, we place particular emphasis on methodology and work with selective examples in order to allow students to learn how to develop and deepen their knowledge independently.
One final important element in the course should also be a period of at least half a year spent in one of the Scandinavian countries. If possible, this should be spent at a University, either with the Sokrates Programme or financed independently through scholarships.
Kurt Braunmöller, Die skandinavischen Sprachen im Überblick (Tübingen: Francke-Verlag, 1991) [UTB 1635]
For an introduction to the literatures:
Fritz Paul (editor), Grundzüge der neueren skandinavischen Literaturen (Darmstadt: Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft, 1982).
Qualification
M.A. (as major or minor subject)
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: 29. April 1998
Übersetzung und HTML von John King
Impressum
