Germanistik

Tracks and specialisations

• Kernfach Germanistik · 120 ECTS

From the evaluated documents we could not derive a semester plan that matches the programme’s duration and ECTS – so the modules are listed without semesters. The university’s study plan is authoritative.

• Required modules11 modules

  Depending on track: Kernfach Germanistik

  • An introduction to morphology and lexicology (word)Summary by OWWZ: Students examine inflection, word formation, vocabulary structure and lexical meaning, learning to analyse German word forms and lexemes systematically.Kernfach GermanistikExam (in German): Klausur (100%)5 ECTS
  • Introduction to Syntax (Sentence)Summary by OWWZ: Students study German sentence structure through traditional and academic grammar. Exercises develop analysis of sentence constituents, phrases and syntactic units from different perspectives.Semesters 1–2 · Kernfach GermanistikExam (in German): Klausur zur Vorlesung (33%) und Klausur zum Seminar (67%)5 ECTS
  • PraxismodulSummary by OWWZ: An external internship or university-based placement applies linguistic and cultural skills professionally. Applications, preparation and a portfolio support career exploration and reflection on practical experience.Semesters 1–5 · Kernfach GermanistikExam (in German): Praktikumsportfolio (unbenotet)10 ECTS
  • Introduction to the the phonetics and phonology of GermanSummary by OWWZ: Students analyse standard German sounds and prosody using phonetic and phonological methods, including connected-speech processes and phonetic and phonemic transcription.Kernfach GermanistikExam (in German): Klausur (100%)5 ECTS
  • Modern German Literature II: Introduction to Literary AnalysisSummary by OWWZ: Students learn terminology and methods for describing and interpreting literary texts and apply them to examples in the seminar.Kernfach Germanistik · summer semester only5 ECTS
  • Introduction to historical linguistics of GermanSummary by OWWZ: Old and Middle High German sources introduce historical sound, morphological and syntactic structures. Developments towards present-day German illustrate causes and mechanisms of language change.Kernfach GermanistikExam (in German): Klausur (100%)5 ECTS
  • Modern German Literature III: Introduction to Methodology and Literary TheorySummary by OWWZ: Literary concepts, aims and methods are discussed through philosophy of science. Theoretical texts support reflection on research approaches and concepts of literature and culture.Kernfach Germanistik · winter semester only5 ECTS
  • Mediaeval German Literature IISummary by OWWZ: Theoretical approaches to medieval German literature are studied through texts. Philological foundations and interpretation connect hermeneutics, structuralism and cultural studies.Kernfach Germanistik5 ECTS
  • Introduction to text linguistics (Text and Discourse)Summary by OWWZ: Text and conversation analysis examines coherence, information structure, speaker strategies and comprehension. Students compare written and spoken communication through their own analyses.Kernfach GermanistikExam (in German): Klausur (100%)5 ECTS
  • Reading InterviewSummary by OWWZ: Students independently read and discuss forty works selected from a prescribed list. For Regelschule teaching, at least five must be children's or young-adult literature.Kernfach Germanistik5 ECTS
  • Bachelor thesisSummary by OWWZ: Students independently investigate a question in German linguistics or literary studies within a set period, combining disciplinary analysis with academic argument and writing.Thesis · Kernfach GermanistikExam (in German): Bachelorarbeit (100%)10 ECTS
• Required elective from Sprachwissenschaftliche Wahlpflichtmodulechoose 20 ECTS · 12 modules

  Depending on track: Kernfach Germanistik

  • Survey of Germanic LinguisticsSummary by OWWZ: The module relates linguistic subfields, descriptive levels and research aims. It compares formal, cognitive and functional approaches alongside analytical and empirical methods.Semesters 1–5 · Kernfach Germanistik · irregularExam (in German): Hausarbeit (100%)5 ECTSRequired elective
  • Theoretical and practical phonologySummary by OWWZ: Students compare phonological theories and sound abstraction. German sound patterns and an unfamiliar language provide practice in describing and constructing phonological systems.Semesters 3–5 · Kernfach Germanistik · irregularExam (in German): Klausur (100%)5 ECTSRequired elective
  • Problems of German Grammar ISummary by OWWZ: Selected problems in prescriptive and descriptive grammar are examined through different models. Exercises develop critical evaluation of grammatical theories and linguistic norms.Semesters 3–5 · Kernfach Germanistik · irregularExam (in German): Hausarbeit, Klausur oder mündliche Prüfung (100%)5 ECTSRequired elective
  • Problems of German Grammar IISummary by OWWZ: Changing grammatical problems deepen the application of linguistic models. Students critically examine older and newer approaches and standardisation concepts through practical tasks.Semesters 3–5 · Kernfach Germanistik · irregularExam (in German): Hausarbeit, Klausur oder mündliche Prüfung (100%)5 ECTSRequired elective
  • Text AnalysisSummary by OWWZ: Students analyse public, academic and literary communication, focusing on coherence, information structure, genres, argumentation and persuasive textual devices.Semesters 3–5 · Kernfach GermanistikExam (in German): Klausur (100%)5 ECTSRequired elective
  • History of the German languageSummary by OWWZ: Research-based study explores historical stages and selected changes in German. Source work develops understanding of how linguistic structures evolved.Semesters 3–5 · Kernfach Germanistik · irregularExam (in German): Hausarbeit, Klausur oder mündliche Prüfung (100%)5 ECTSRequired elective
  • DialectologySummary by OWWZ: The module introduces dialectological methods and the geographical organisation of German dialects. Students describe their characteristic linguistic features.Semesters 3–5 · Kernfach GermanistikExam (in German): Hausarbeit, Klausur oder mündliche Prüfung (100%)5 ECTSRequired elective
  • Specialization GrammarSummary by OWWZ: Morphology and syntax of contemporary German are described empirically and analysed theoretically, comparing grammatical models through selected phenomena.Semesters 3–5 · Kernfach Germanistik · irregularExam (in German): Hausarbeit (100%)10 ECTSRequired elective
  • Language in interactionSummary by OWWZ: Language in interaction is examined through turn-taking, sequences, repairs and preferences. Conversation analysis explores context and institutional situations.Semesters 3–5 · Kernfach Germanistik · irregularExam (in German): Hausarbeit (100%)10 ECTSRequired elective
  • Specialization historical linguisticsSummary by OWWZ: Selected structures in historical German and Germanic language stages are investigated, applying theories of language change and methods of historical linguistic research.Semesters 3–5 · Kernfach Germanistik · irregularExam (in German): Hausarbeit (100%)10 ECTSRequired elective
  • Doing empirical research in linguisticsSummary by OWWZ: Linguistic data are collected, prepared, transcribed and analysed. Qualitative or quantitative projects connect research questions with suitable methods and statistical analysis.Semesters 3–5 · Kernfach Germanistik · irregularExam (in German): Hausarbeit (100%)10 ECTSRequired elective
  • Germanic LinguisticsSummary by OWWZ: Students examine early Germanic languages historically and synchronically. Language and literary history, etymology, phonology and morphology explain their development and position within Indo-European.Semesters 3–5 · Kernfach Germanistik · summer semester onlyExam (in German): Hausarbeit oder Klausur (100%)10 ECTSRequired elective
• Required elective from Einführung Neuere deutsche Literaturchoose 5 ECTS · 2 modules

  Depending on track: Kernfach Germanistik

  • Modern German Literature I.1: Introduction to Literary History 1Summary by OWWZ: A literary period or cross-period theme introduces literary history. Seminar and tutorial develop historical interpretation, research and academic writing.Kernfach Germanistik · winter semester only5 ECTSRequired elective
  • Modern German Literature I.2: Introduction to Literary History 2Summary by OWWZ: A further literary-historical subject develops knowledge of periods and historical literary research. Seminar work and a tutorial connect textual analysis with academic argument.Kernfach Germanistik · winter semester only5 ECTSRequired elective
• Required elective from Einführung Ältere deutsche Literaturchoose 5 ECTS · 2 modules

  Depending on track: Kernfach Germanistik

  • Mediaeval German Literature I.1Summary by OWWZ: Medieval German literature is explored through genres, transmission and cultural contexts. Selected texts introduce literary history and philological analysis.Kernfach Germanistik · winter semester only5 ECTSRequired elective
  • Mediaeval German Literature I.2Summary by OWWZ: Medieval German literature is explored through genres, transmission and cultural contexts. Selected texts introduce literary history and philological analysis.Kernfach Germanistik · summer semester only5 ECTSRequired elective
• Required elective from Schreibpraxischoose 5 ECTS · 2 modules

  Depending on track: Kernfach Germanistik

  • Modern German Literature IV.1: Writing Practice 1Summary by OWWZ: Students communicate cultural and literary knowledge to general audiences, practising nonacademic genres and developing writing and presentation skills.Kernfach Germanistik · winter semester onlyExam (in German): Präsentationen und Textproben (100%)5 ECTSRequired elective
  • Modern German Literature IV.2: Writing Practice 2Summary by OWWZ: Students communicate cultural and literary scholarship to general audiences through nonacademic writing, developing their writing style and presentation skills.Kernfach Germanistik · summer semester onlyExam (in German): Präsentationen und Textproben (100%)5 ECTSRequired elective
• Required elective from Literaturwissenschaftliche Vertiefungchoose 10 ECTS · 4 modules

  Depending on track: Kernfach Germanistik

  • Modern German Literature VI: Advanced ModuleSummary by OWWZ: Selected areas of modern German literary history are explored through research. Students independently investigate literary questions and critically engage with disciplinary knowledge and scholarship.Kernfach Germanistik10 ECTSRequired elective
  • Modern German Literature VI: Advanced Module 2Summary by OWWZ: Selected areas of modern German literary history are explored through research. Students independently investigate literary questions and critically engage with disciplinary knowledge and scholarship.Kernfach Germanistik10 ECTSRequired elective
  • Mediaeval German Literature IIISummary by OWWZ: Students explore genres, periods or authors from the eighth to sixteenth centuries. Philological textual analysis connects literary theory with media and cultural perspectives.Kernfach Germanistik10 ECTSRequired elective
  • Mediaeval German Literature III.2Summary by OWWZ: Students explore genres, periods or authors from the eighth to sixteenth centuries. Philological textual analysis connects literary theory with media and cultural perspectives.Kernfach Germanistik10 ECTSRequired elective

Topic profile · Track Kernfach Germanistik

ECTS by topic from the curriculum’s modules; together at most the programme’s ECTS.RequiredElective

• Linguistics45 ECTS: 25 required, 20 elective45 ECTS
• Literary studies40 ECTS: 20 required, 20 elective40 ECTS
• Creative writing5 ECTS: 0 required, 5 elective5 ECTS

Curriculum sources

• Modulkatalog – GermanistikModule handbook · Version PO-Version 2021; Stand (Druck) 05.03.2026 · checked 15 October 2026
• Musterstudienplan – GermanistikStudy plan · Version Stand: März 2026 (PO2021) · checked 15 October 2026
• Studienordnung der Philosophischen Fakultät für Germanistik als Kern- und Ergänzungsfach in Studiengängen mit dem Abschluss Bachelor of ArtsStudy regulations · Version Lesefassung, Stand 5. März 2021; Fünfte Änderung vom 18. Februar 2021 · checked 17 October 2026