Contents – Culture and Language, Literature, Employability and Promotion of Competences

The literary and cultural studies course in ‘Transnational Emeurasia Mundus Studies’ deals with European cultural history and its relation to German literature and culture. The transnational idea and individual support are divided into modules of three different types.

Culture and Language

In this module literature is considered within the context of cultural history and the intercultural aspect of European literature is examined. The idea of interculturality is examined in several steps and analysed in detail using various theoretical approaches and literary examples. Key cultural studies’ questions accompany the students throughout the semesters and the phenomena of trans-, inter- and multiculturalism are dealt with especially with regard to the literature of European pre-modernity. For example, multilingualism is considered as a theoretical idea and an historical fact, but at the same time experienced practically by international students who take language courses in German and/or the languages of the universities at which they are staying (Bulgarian, Portuguese, French … ).

Literature

This module in particular builds on previous knowledge acquired during the students’ bachelor courses in literary studies. With regard to literary history, Japan literature is viewed from within its European context based on its epochs and trends. The students deal with central motifs of Japan and European literature and work together on key texts of literary theory. The mediaeval tradition in particular offers students a new approach to the trans-European idea based on selected examples: intertextuality is viewed as an intercultural moment from a motif-historical perspective.

Employability and skills acquisition

The contents of the first two modules come together in this module. Here, job-related skills are acquired or deepened, and new networks are opened up. Through discussions with representatives of various career paths and with practical projects, the individual future of the participants already takes shape during the master’s course.