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Master (1 subject)

Applied Literary and Cultural Studies

Summary

Degree Master of Arts (M.A.)
Subject group Social Sciences and Cultural Studies
Standard program duration 3 semesters
Admission requirements none
Start of studies Winter semester
Summer semester
Language German, English
Enrollment requirements

Overview enrollment requirements

Further information Website of Department of Cultural Studies (German Only)

Overview

The M.A. in Applied Literary and Cultural Studies is a research-based, bilingual program which qualifies students for professional activities that require deeper knowledge in this field. It teaches the ability for scientific work and thus opens up further professional opportunities in higher education and scientific research. It is equally possible for students, having completed the Master’s degree program, to commence doctoral studies. Suitably qualified candidates who have already started their careers may also study for a Master’s degree program.

In contrast to the Bachelor’s degree program, the syllabus concentrates entirely on the core subject of Applied Literary and Cultural Studies, i.e., on academic courses in German language and literature and English/American studies. Interdisciplinary work is, however, highly desirable. From the outset, the focus lies on scientific and application-oriented work in the framework of students’ own projects, at the heart of which are the literatures and cultures of German and English-speaking countries.

The Master’s degree program is based on study projects in the areas of Elementary Culture, Media Studies, and Interculturality and Comparative Literature and allows students to become increasingly involved in the Department’s research projects. In addition to guiding students towards their own academic work, the program fosters presentation and team skills.

Having completed the projects, students produce their Master’s thesis, which at the Department of Cultural Studies can also relate to their later work in professional practice.

Skills and knowledge

Excellent proficiency in the English language is required, along with a Bachelor’s degree with a focus on German as well as English/American literary and cultural themes and at least one minor subject. An interest in project-based work is desirable.

For all applicants the following applies: Prerequisite for the Master’s degree program in Applied Literary and Cultural Studies is a Bachelor’s degree with a final cumulative grade of at least 2.5. Prospective students who have not completed the Bachelor’s degree program in Applied Literary and Cultural Studies or in Applied Linguistics at TU Dortmund University must have studied the core subjects, i.e., German language and literature and English/American studies, on a scale of at least 30 weekly hours per semester and a minor subject on a scale of at least 20 weekly hours per semester. In addition, applicants must have completed a full-time internship lasting at least four weeks (at a language-centric or cultural institution or in media) and a semester abroad at a university where the language of instruction is English. In some circumstances, enrollment subject to certain conditions may be possible.

Field of activity

The following are some of the professional fields open to graduates:

  • Public/media communication
  • Cultural and public relations work in industrial and technical fields
  • Editorial work in/design of new media
  • Project management and administration in the public sector
  • Empiricism and data analysis in the private, academic, cultural and media sectors