Faculty of Modern Languages Comparative German Studies – Bachelor 50%
The focus of Comparative German Studies is the comparative and intercultural examination of German language, literature, and culture.
Facts & Formalities
| Degree | Bachelor of Arts |
| Type of programme | Undergraduate |
| Start of programme | Winter and summer semester |
| Standard period of study | 6 semesters |
| Language(s) of instruction | German |
| Fees and contributions | 151.05 € / Semester |
| Application procedure | Subjects with no admission restrictions |
| Application deadlines | Information about deadlines can be obtained after you have put together a degree program. |
| Part-time option | Yes |
Course Content
The Bachelor’s degree programme (50%) in Comparative German Studies may be pursued as a first or second major subject and provides a fundamental education in the German language and German literature. At the beginning of the degree programme, students will select a subject specialisation. This specialisation will be supplemented by career-oriented applied courses: Students may choose from either Didactics of German as a Foreign/Second Language or Intercultural Communication.
Students who specialise in linguistics will learn theoretical and methodological basics for describing language systems, usage, and acquisition, and will acquire additional in-depth knowledge through courses in selected areas. The diversity of languages at the Institute will be employed in the teaching of comparative and typological language considerations.
Students who specialise in literature will learn to analyse and interpret both German-language literary texts as well as world literature. Based upon the different reading backgrounds of the students, the German literary perspective will be expanded upon to include world literature.
Didactics of German as a Foreign/Second Language will provide students with an overview of the objectives, tools, materials, and methods of foreign language instruction or German as a Second Language instruction.
Intercultural Communications provides an introduction to current theories, methods, and tools for intercultural communication. Students will also gain an overview of applied areas, such as global media and corporate communication, or intercultural training.
Course Structure
Areas of Specialisation
Linguistics, Literature The Introductory Module (recommended for the 1st – 2nd semesters) introduces students to the core issues and methodological basics of the subject. The Advanced Module (recommended to be taken in the 3rd semester or later) provides further in-depth knowledge in selected areas to enable students to conduct independent academic work.
Textual Skills
This area supplements the subject-specific courses to expand students’ skills in subject-related discourse. Students with a German “Abitur” (qualification for university studies) may, as an alternative, choose other foreign language courses or language history courses offered at the Heidelberg University German Institute or at other university institutes.
Career-Oriented Applied Courses
The areas of Didactics of German as a Foreign/Second Language and Intercultural Communications will provide students with primary subject-specific and methodological knowledge (recommended for the 1st – 2nd semesters), which the students will then be able to apply in practice-oriented courses (recommended to be taken in the 3rd semester or later).
Cross-Disciplinary Skills
The Cross-Disciplinary Skills module (recommended for the 1st – 5th semesters) provides students with personal and professional key and supplemental qualifications. Among others, these include: Fundamentals of academic work, intercultural and interdisciplinary study, foreign language acquisition, and career-specific experience.
Examination Module
The degree programme concludes with a Bachelor’s thesis (only when taken as a first major subject) and a final oral examination.
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