Content
The curriculum reflects the research-oriented nature of the programme, providing ample opportunity to acquire the research skills and knowledge and to work on honing those skills for concrete research tasks within three profile areas.
The program has a modular structure. A module is an organizational thematic unit in the program. Modules typically consist of two or more courses/seminars as specified in the respective module description which need to be selected from a pool of courses on offer; e.g. the orientation module consists of a lecture series and two courses; the research module consists of only one course (the research colloquium taken with the supervisor of your MA thesis).
The successful completion of each module earns students a certain number of credit points reflecting the average workload of the module in question. 1 CP corresponds to 30 hours of work including the in-class meetings at university, preparation, reading and other homework, etc. It is necessary to gain the requisite credit points in each of the modules set out in the curriculum in order to successfully complete the programme. In each semester an average of 30 CP should be accomplished. Over the course of the 4 semesters (2 years) 120 CP in total must be acquired.
The first semester comprises the orientation phase, recognising the fact that enrolled students may come from several disciplinary backgrounds. An orientation module offers a lecture series illustrating the scope, aims, and current research foci in each of the three profile areas. This is combined with overview seminars in each of the three profile areas of which students must select two. The semester also includes the first part of an obligatory module for using English in the professional world (UEP). Finally, a further supplementary studies module must be taken; students choosing three courses (over two semesters) from a pool comprising a selection of language courses (e.g. German for non-German speakers), courses from relevant neighbouring disciplines, and/or courses on soft skills.
The second semester builds on the first with two extension modules, both comprising two courses each. They set out theories, concepts, current research trends and methods in each of the profile areas. Practical skills are also developed further in the second part of the UEP module extending advanced communication skills, as well as in two modules focusing on academic work experience, for which students must gather documented experience from a wide range of activities, such as conference or workshop organisation, work-experience in relevant institutions or companies, active participation in conferences, workshops, or tutorials.
In the third semester, the modules of the programme provide the opportunity for a thematic specialisation in one of the three profile areas on offer, constituting concrete preparation for the work to be undertaken for the M.A. thesis. A specialisation module offers two advanced courses in each of the profile areas. A research module provides the scope within which a single research project for your MA thesis is carried out , including theories, methods, data, literature research, and so on. The research project is a major element of the programme, conducted primarily in independent individual or group work, closely guided by a supervisor selected by the student. In this way, students gain in-depth experience in the planning, execution, analysis and written description of a research project in preparation for the M.A. thesis.
The final, fourth semester completely focuses on the M.A. thesis, including both carrying the necessary research and writing the thesis itself. An accompanying research colloquium for thesis preparation is also part of this module. Ideally, the M.A. thesis should build directly on the research project begun in the third semester. It is possible for students to follow their own specialisations with considerable flexibility: the selection of courses in their third semester can either focus more narrowly on single profile area, or maintain greater breadth with courses from one or two of these areas. However, it is strongly recommended that the final M.A. project be undertaken in a primary profile area that each student builds for themselves.
Language of instruction
All courses in the programme are taught in English.
Start of the programme
The programme starts at the beginning of the winter semester of each year. Courses in the winter semester (WiSe) begin in mid-October and end in early February, with a two-week break during the holiday season. The summer semester (SoSe) lecture period lasts from the beginning of April to mid-July.
Duration of study
This M.A. is a two-year programme, comprising four semesters, including the M.A. thesis.
(Research) Co-operation schemes
Students enrolled in this M.A. programme may benefit from a number of international co-operation schemes focused on academic exchanges (internships, research projects, or studies in the context of a regular academic semester) and an increasing number of research collaboration arrangements and partnerships, permitting students to experience and adapt to an international environment, including the benefits of studying and conducting research in other educational systems. International co-operation schemes are active with universities in Canada, the USA, the Netherlands, Sweden, Italy, Denmark, Malta, the UK, Ireland, Brazil, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Please explore our homepage for further information: www.fb10.uni-bremen.de/anglistik/auslandsstudium/default.aspx.
Internship
An internship is optional.