The BA degree program covers the historical and systematic foundations of the German language. The program is designed to introduce students to theories, models and methods, to develop students’ skills in critically engaging with the problems of the subject and to increase their understanding of questions pertaining to sociocultural phenomena, developments and interrelations in the German-speaking world.
The MA degree program requires a thorough understanding of German linguistics and the ability to work academically. Building on this the program provides an in-depth and extended knowledge of the systems, varieties and usages of the German language and its analysis.
On the basis of exemplary, rotating topics the individual advanced classes develop students’ abilities to engage theoretically and practically with the discipline. The focus is on five topical subject areas:
- Linguistic systematics (grammar, comparison, typology).
- Cognitive linguistics and psycholinguistics (language acquisition, language and mental processes).
- Sociolinguistics (varieties, group and technical languages, linguistic norms).
- Pragmatics and communication (interpersonal, public, intercultural communication).
- Analysis of written and oral discourse.
The aim is to empower students to reflect critically on the academic discourse and to pursue smaller research tasks independently.
Prof. Dr. Péter Maitz
