German Studies
Degree
Combined bachelor, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - The course is also suitable for those wishing to enter the teaching profession. - Where relevant, please also note the core and second subjects German Literature and Germanistic Linguistics as a combined bachelor.
Standard time for completing course
6 semesters
Start of study
see https://www.hu-berlin.de/en/studies/counselling/course-catalogue/Standardseite?set_language=en; with or without numerus clausus
Combinations
German studies can be studied as:
Core subject without teaching training option: 120 CP*, with a second subject to be selected, except German Literature Studies and German Linguistics
Second subject without teaching training option: 60 CP, with a bachelor’s core subject, except Biology, Chemistry, German Literature Studies, German Linguistics and Physics
Core subject with teaching training option: 113 CP, with a second subject to be selected
Second subject with teaching training option: 67 CP, with a bachelor’s core subject, except Biology and Physics
Please refer to ’Bachelor’s and master’s courses at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin’ and ’Teacher training programme at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin’. These FAQs also offer information about combination options. The range of subjects can be found in the current ’Course catalogue’.
*One credit point (CP) equals a workload of 25 - 30 hours for preparation, follow-up and attendance at classes.
Language skills
We recommend knowledge of at least two foreign languages, and adequate German skills are required.
Studies abroad
Study abroad periods are strongly recommended, and ‘learning agreements’ will be concluded for this purpose.
Why study German Studies at the HU?
You can expect a remarkably wide range of courses in the fields of Old and Modern German Literature, as well as Germanistic and Historical Linguistics. You will gain nuanced insight into the breadth of the subject of German Studies, and can also pursue more in-depth work. Research-related studies related to your personal specialised interests are a matter of course here.
Which particular skills/prerequisites do you need?
Curiosity and an open mind regarding the unknown, a keen interest in the subject matter (German literature and language), a love of reading, an appreciation for the discovery of linguistic structures and the willingness to work independently.
Course objectives
- Providing fundamental and broad knowledge and skills in the fields of German Studies. Both the contents and methods of linguistic and literary studies, including questions and theory formation drawn from cognitive, cultural and media studies, will be covered.
- Developing the ability to analyse linguistic structures and communicative processes from both the diachronic and synchronic perspective, and to analyse and interpret literary texts, annotating them in the context of culture-historical connections. Questions of gender are of particular significance to the process.
- Preparing for careers in which linguistic communication and the handling of texts and historico-literary processes are key tasks: in fields such as scholastic and extra-curricular education/training, publishing, journalism, documentation and language training, or preparation for a teaching-related master’s course, as required.
- Basis for an academic career in Germanistic disciplines.
Course content
To find information about the course content, consult the study regulations (www.amb.hu-berlin.de, no. 111/2014, 1. amendment no. 88/2015, 2. amendment no. 21/2016, 3. amendment no. 58/2018), and the annotated university calendar (hu-berlin.de/vorlesungsverzeichnis). You can also consult the Course Advisory Service, see Important addresses.
German Studies without teacher training option
German Studies as a Core subject with 120 CP
Mandatory modules (68 CP):
Module 01: Basic module Linguistics, 9 CP
Module 02: Basic module Old German Literature, 7 CP
Module 03: Basic module Modern German Literature, 7 CP
Module 04: German Language History, 6 CP
Module 05: Text and Discourse, 6 CP
Module 06: Word - Sentence Context, 8 CP
Module 07: History of German Literature III from 1800 to the Present, 6 CP
Module 08: Text and Media Analysis I, 9 CP
Module 09: Bachelor’s Dissertation, 10 CP
Mandatory elective modules (32 CP):
Students must select two of modules 10 to 12
Module 10: History of German Literature I - from the beginnings to 1650, 8 CP
Module 11: History of German Literature II - 1600 - 1850, 8 CP
Module 12: Text and Media Analysis II, 8 CP
Students must select one of modules 13 to 15
Module 13: Linguistic Communication Processes, 6 CP
Module 14: First and Second Language Acquisition, 6 CP
Module 15: Linguistic Variation, 6 CP
Students must select one of modules 16 to 17
Module 16: Practical Orientation, 10 CP
Module 17: Practical Training, 10 CP
General elective modules (20 CP)
In addition to specialised study, Students acquire subject-specific, non-specialist and interdisciplinary key qualifications of 20 CP. The general elective modules can be chosen from the module catalogues of other subjects or central institutions (see: http://agnes.hu-berlin.de/).
German Studies as a Second subject with 60 CP
Mandatory subjects (52 CP):
Modules 1-6 and 8 from core subject
Mandatory elective module (8 CP):
Module 18: History of German Literature, 8 CP
German Studies with teacher training option
German Studies as a Core subject with 113 CP
Mandatory modules (84 CP):
Module 01: Basic module Linguistics, 9 CP
Module 02: Basic module Old German Literature, 7 CP
Module 03: Basic module Modern German Literature, 7 CP
Module 04: German Language History, 6 CP
Module 05: Text and Discourse, 6 CP
Module 06: Word - Sentence Context, 8 CP
Module 07: History of German Literature III from 1800 to the Present, 6 CP
Module 08: Text and Media Analysis I, 9 CP
Module 09: Bachelor’s Dissertation, 10 CP
Module 10: History of German Literature I - from the beginnings to 1650, 8 CP
Module 11: History of German Literature II - 1600 - 1850, 8 CP
Mandatory elective modules (6 CP):
Students must select one of modules 13 to 15
Module 13: Linguistic Communication Processes, 6 CP
Module 14: First and Second Language Acquisition, 6 CP
Module 15: Linguistic Variation, 6 CP
General elective modules - teacher training studies (23 CP)
In addition to specialised study, students on a bachelor’s with teacher training option will complete the Educational Sciences teacher training module (13 CP) and the ‘German as a Second Language’ module (3 CP). You will find information on this at http://studium.hu-berlin.de/lust/lehrer. The didactic module (7 CP) is also required.
Module 19: Introduction to the didactics of German teaching, 7 CP
German Studies as a Second subject with 67 CP
Mandatory subjects (60 CP):
Modules 1-6 and 8 from core subject, in total 52
Module 18: History of German Literature, 8 CP
General elective module - teacher training studies (7 CP)
Module 19: Introduction to the didactics of German teaching, 7 CP
General elective course offerings for students coming from other courses of studies
Module 25: Levels of linguistic description, 5 CP
Module 26: Linguistic behaviour, 5 CP
Module 27: Linguistic variation and language history, 5 CP
Module 28: Language development, 5 CP
Module 30: Introduction to the fields of work of Old German Literature & Modern German Literature, 5 CP
Module 31: History of German Literature I and II, 5 CP
Module 32: History of German Literature I and III, 5 CP
Module 33: History of German Literature II and III, 5 CP
Master
Completing the Bachelor of Arts in German Studies enables you to study for a "Master of Education" or in "German as a Foreign Language" in the Department of German Studies and Linguistics. Find additional HU programs in the course catalogue.
Important addresses
Department of German Literature: Dorotheenstr. 24, www.literatur.hu-berlin.de, Tel. +49 30/2093-9665
Department of German Studies and Linguistics: Dorotheenstr. 24, www.linguistik.hu-berlin.de, Tel. +49 30/2093-9629
Course Advisory Service and Classification and recognition of studies and qualifications: Dr. Wenzel, Raum 3.513, Tel. +49 30/2093-9694, wenzelax@hu-berlin.de
Service for teacher training students: www.hu-berlin.de/studium/lust/lehrer, Tel. +49 30/2093-1571, lehrerbildung@rz.hu-berlin.de
Applications: How to apply, Information for prospective international students
Links to job market: careers information centre, Hochschulteam calendar of events
Version: November 2023
Contact for questions or feedback regarding this page: studienberatung@uv.hu-berlin.de