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German Literature/Language (MA)

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Course Overview

This programme is designed for you if you love to read and discuss inspiring literary texts and if you want to deepen your understanding of German culture—from the age of enlightenment to the present day. It gives you the opportunity to further improve your fluency in German, introduces you to relevant literary theories and methods of interpretation, and offers a range of modules exploring exemplary German texts by analysing them in their historical and cultural contexts.

Scholarships available
Find out about our Postgraduate Scholarships here.

Applications and Selections

Applications are made online via the NUI Galway Postgraduate Applications System. 

Who Teaches this Course

  • Deirdre Byrnes, PhD
  • Tina-Karen Pusse, DPhil
  • Áine Ryan, MA
  • Prof. Hans-Walter Schmidt-Hannisa, DPhil
  • Michael Shields, MA

Requirements and Assessment

Students have to take a total of six modules (10 ECTS each), which are assessed by exam or take-home essay. Five modules are obligatory and one is optional. They also have to write a dissertation of circa 15,000 words (30 ECTS) on a topic chosen in consultation with a supervisor.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Second Class Honours NQAI Level 8 degree or equivalent, with Second Class Honours Grade 2 or equivalent in German.


Additional Requirements

Duration

1 year, full-time | 2 years, part-time

Next start date

September 2021

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

15

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date

You are advised to apply early, which may result in an early offer; see the offer round dates

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

90

Award

CAO

Course code

1MAG1 (full-time) | 1MAG2 (part-time)

Course Outline

The course programme includes modules on German language and literature, as well as a module on methods of research and interpretation.

CORE MODULES

Advanced Language Skills 1 and 2:
This year-long module allows students to further develop their language skills to level C2 of the European Framwork or Reference. Classes taught cover all relevant skills-reading, writing, listening and speaking. Students will extend their command of grammar and vocabulary, and their sensitivity to stylistic variation, nuance and register.

Modern German Literature 1 and 2:
Students will discuss exemplary literary texts from various genres and literary epochs between the 18th and 21st centuries. Special attention will be given to historical and cultural contexts and to intertextual relationships. Students will apply various methods of interpretation. The selection of texts will vary from year to year.

Interpreting Literature—Theories and Methods:
Students will be introduced to relevant literary theories, such as New Historicism, Ecocriticism, Postcolonialism and deconstruction. They will learn to reflect critically on methods of interpretation and their application. 

Modules for the full time course

Modules for the part time course

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

German postgraduate students acquire a flexible skills base in dealing with creative and communicative, and analytical, organisational and research, tasks, and they move on to a corresponding range of career opportunities after graduation. They have developed careers in, for example, marketing, media and arts administration, as well as following more language-related career areas such as teaching, translation, publishing, international marketing and communications. Many MA graduates have continued their studies at PhD level.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

 

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€6,600 p.a. FT; €3,355 p.a. PT 2020/21

Fees: Tuition

€6,376 p.a. FT; €3,187 p.a. PT 2020/21

Fees: Student levy

€224 p.a. FT; €168 p.a. PT 2020/21

Fees: Non EU

€15,550 p.a. 2020/21

Please note:  The fee payable by EU students is listed under "Fees: EU".  This field is the sum of the student levy + tuition.  Fees are payable each year and are subject to change year-on year.

Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant—please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €2,000 towards your full-time tuition.  You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee.  An F5 grant is where SUSI will pay full-time TUITION up to a maximum of €6,270.  SUSI will not cover the student levy of €224.

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Downloads

  • Postgraduate Taught Prospectus 2021

    Postgraduate Taught Prospectus 2021 PDF (11.3MB)