Applied Literary and Cultural Studies

Overview

The core subject centers on the critical handling of various types of texts and other media as well as on the application of knowledge in the field of literary and cultural theory within interdisciplinary and intercultural spheres. In addition, political, historical and gender-specific topics are treated in the context of literary and cultural studies. Students learn to write professionally, examine literary and cultural texts from a scientific perspective, position them in an intercultural context, and interpret them critically.

Through a strong focus on project work, students acquire practical skills at an early stage. They organize events at the university and in the city on a regular basis, e.g., exhibitions and readings, plays and conferences. The projects and an obligatory four-week internship enable them to gather experience in non-university settings and to establish contacts.

The languages of instruction for the program are German and English. In many courses at the Department of Cultural Studies, local students study together with (guest) students from throughout the world in what is referred to as the “Intercultural Classroom”. Students expand their international cultural skills during their semester abroad, which should be completed at a university where classroom communication is in English.

Students choose their minor subjects during the orientation phase in October. These subjects should be aligned with corresponding professional fields, which include, for example, public and media communication, cultural and public relations work in industrial and technical fields or editorial work in/design of new media in the area of culture. Through the interdisciplinary dovetailing of the core subject and the minor subjects, the program is geared towards students’ future professions.