First year: The various forms of fundamental, specific subject area knowledge required over and above particular study focuses are acquired and consolidated primarily in the first study year, in particular knowledge of concepts, methods and theories in the areas of intercultural linguistics, literary studies and culture studies as well as foreign language teaching (54 credits).
Required courses: fundamentals (10 credits), applied linguistics and interculturality (8 credits), foreign language didactics I (10 credits) and II (8 credits), culture studies and intercultural literature (10 credits), intercultural German studies (reading) (8 credits). Additionally, students need to choose a foreign language course (contrast language) (6 credits). Non-native (German) speakers can choose German or English as a foreign language. (2) The students acquire and consolidate competencies and knowledge of a certain culture with respect to language through the culture-contrasting transmission of systematic fundamentals of and domain-specific forms of application in the foreign language.
Second year: The second year serves the job-relevant development of the programme focus. Hence, its aim is the consolidation and selection of transmitted theoretical-methodological knowledge with respect to fields of activity in this area and reflection on the same. Through the integration of concrete practical projects, knowledge relevant to the professional area and practical skills are transmitted. The "Work Placement Studies" module serves the exercise of a practical activity in an intended work context. It is integrated into the study phase being undertaken at the respective partner institution and offers the opportunity of an individual intercultural experience in a context of activity chosen by the student. The work areas can and should be chosen corresponding to the respective focus of study and professional goals. The aims of work placements are the application, reflection on and extension of the scientific, methodological, cultural and language skills and knowledge in a concrete work context and social sphere of activity, the acquisition of subject-specific social competency for working with others in the intended professional area, determining one's individual suitability for the profession and establishing contacts relevant to future employment.
Required courses: These courses include a work placement studies (6 credits), intercultural studies (8 credits), independent study project (10 credits), and intercultural German studies and media (6 credits).
Students complete their Master's theses in the fourth semester. The time frame for preparation and writing is six months. The thesis language is German. The thesis is integrated into a Master's module, which includes a Master's colloquium. The Master's module carries a total of 30 credits.
The student body is international, and all teaching and learning aims at the internationalisation of the classroom in various respects. One major concern is the development of intercultural competence and of "interculturality" both as a method and an aim of teaching and international negotiations, be it in research, academic contexts or in international organisations.
The "Work Placement Studies" module serves as an exercise of a practical activity in an intended work context. It is integrated into the study phase being undertaken at the respective partner institutions and offers the possibility of individual intercultural experience in a context of activity chosen by the student. The work areas can and should be chosen corresponding to the respective study focus and professional goals. The aims of work placements are the application, reflection on and extension of scientific, methodological, cultural and language skills and knowledge in a concrete work context and social sphere of activity, the acquisition of subject-specific social competency for working with others in the intended professional area, determining one's individual suitability for the profession and establishing contacts relevant to future employment.
An internship of 120 hours is to be completed during the summer or winter break between the first and second or the second and the third semester. Programme advisers will assist students in finding an appropriate internship. The respective module "Work Placement Studies" serves as an exercise in a practical activity in an intended work context. It is integrated into the study phase being undertaken at the respective partner institutions and offers the opportunity for individual intercultural experience in a context of activity chosen by the student. The work areas can and should be chosen corresponding to the respective study focus and professional goals. The aims of work placements are the application, reflection on and extension of the scientific, methodological, cultural and language skills and knowledge in a concrete work context and social sphere of activity, and the acquisition of subject-specific social competency for working with others in the intended professional area, determining one's individual suitability for the profession and establishing contacts relevant to future employment.