German Language and Literature, Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies

The major in German Language and Literature, Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies consists of the areas German language and literature, comparative literature and Scandinavian studies.

German Language and Literature is split into three focus areas: modern German literature, German medieval studies and German linguistics. Modern German literature explores German-language literature including its history from the early modern period until the present, while German medieval studies cover the beginnings of German literature in the Middle Ages as well as the early modern period. German linguistics examines the German language of the present day as well as its history.

The distinguishing feature of comparative literature is that it crosses boundaries—between languages and cultures as well as between literature and other art and media forms (e.g. painting, film). Comparative literature is the study of literatures in their transnational, intercultural and cross-media relationships.

Scandinavian studies are concerned with the cultures, history, literatures and languages of the Scandinavian countries. Students learn either Danish, Norwegian or Swedish.

In this degree program, focus areas, questions, methods and topics can all be interconnected across disciplines. Students thus receive a very broad and solid education, while at the same time, given the extensive course offering, they also have the opportunity to specialize and build profiles highly individually.

This subject must be combined with a second subject.

Possible lines of work:

Education (adult education, language courses, educational/vocational institutes Bildungswerke, etc.), book industry (publishing/ libraries/ translating/ editing), culture (cultural institutions, embassies, exhibitions, etc.), media (press, radio, television, online media, journalism, public relations), administration (international relations, e.g. diplomatic service, international organizations), academia (research management, teaching/research at universities, research institutions, etc.)