Indogermanistik

Tracks and specialisations

• Indogermanistik (Kernfach) · 120 ECTS

Semester plan

1. Semester 119 ECTS required depending on track · 1 elective catalogueIntroduction to Linguistics · Eurolinguistics · Greek Linguistics · Latin Linguistics · Methods and application areas of Philology and Ancient Studies · Elective area

   Depending on track: Indogermanistik (Kernfach)

   • Introduction to LinguisticsSummary by OWWZ: Introduces general and historical-comparative linguistics, covering grammatical models, linguistic typology and reconstruction of Indo-European sounds, forms, meanings and syntactic structures.Indogermanistik (Kernfach) · winter semester only10 ECTS
   • EurolinguisticsSummary by OWWZ: Surveys the history and diversity of European languages, including language policy. Case studies introduce methods of areal linguistics and language contact research.Semesters 1–5 · Indogermanistik (Kernfach) · winter semester onlyExam (in German): Hausarbeit oder Klausur10 ECTS
   • Greek LinguisticsSummary by OWWZ: Covers Greek language history from Mycenaean to Koine, dialects, historical grammar and etymology. Philological reading is combined with synchronic analysis of Greek linguistic data.Semesters 1–5 · Indogermanistik (Kernfach)Exam (in German): Unbenotete mündliche oder schriftliche Prüfung und benotete Klausur10 ECTS
   • Latin LinguisticsSummary by OWWZ: Combines Latin textual work with language history, historical grammar and etymology. Synchronic analysis is related to Latin’s position within Italic and Indo-European.Semesters 1–5 · Indogermanistik (Kernfach)Exam (in German): Unbenotete mündliche oder schriftliche Prüfung und benotete Klausur10 ECTS
   • Methods and application areas of Philology and Ancient StudiesSummary by OWWZ: Combines methods from philology, ancient history, archaeology and language change research. Students learn to relate textual linguistic evidence to external historical and cultural data.Semesters 1–4 · Indogermanistik (Kernfach) · winter semester onlyExam (in German): Mündliche Prüfung, 20 Min.10 ECTS

   Elective area17 modules · choose 20 ECTS

   • Introduction to Classical Greek Language and Literature I and II (Graecum)Summary by OWWZ: Teaches Greek morphology, syntax, vocabulary and methods of textual analysis. Exercises progress from reading simple prose to translating and contextualising moderately difficult texts.Semesters 1–5Exam (in German): Zwei Klausuren à 90 Min., jeweils 50 %10 ECTSRequired elective
   • Introduction to Greek StudiesSummary by OWWZ: Combines a survey of Greek literary history with methodological analysis of a central work or genre. Students practise interpretation, academic presentation and discussion.Semesters 1–5 · summer semester onlyExam (in German): Hausarbeit10 ECTSRequired elective
   • Greek Studies ISummary by OWWZ: Examines a Greek author or genre in light of current scholarship. Students read and interpret selected texts and place them in literary and intellectual history.Semesters 1–5 · winter semester onlyExam (in German): Hausarbeit10 ECTSRequired elective
   • Greek Studies IISummary by OWWZ: Deepens scholarly interpretation of Greek literature through an author or genre. Reading and research discussion extend the range covered in Greek Studies I.Semesters 1–510 ECTSRequired elective
   • Language Competence in Greek ISummary by OWWZ: Translation into Greek consolidates the grammar and style of Attic literary prose. Students distinguish the language system, normative usage and individual expression in classical authors.Semesters 1–5Exam (in German): Deutsch-griechische Übersetzungsklausur, 90 Min.10 ECTSRequired elective
   • Greek Prose LiteratureSummary by OWWZ: Analyses demanding Greek prose in relation to genre, literary tradition and scholarship. Students independently examine texts and justify interpretations through contextual evidence and literary models.Semesters 1–5Exam (in German): Hausarbeit10 ECTSRequired elective
   • Greek PoetrySummary by OWWZ: Examines Greek poetry through language, metre and content. Genre conventions, literary dialects and historical contexts underpin independent interpretation and discussion of scholarship.Semesters 1–5 · summer semester onlyExam (in German): Hausarbeit10 ECTSRequired elective
   • Language Competence in Greek IISummary by OWWZ: Deepens Greek grammar and the stylistic norms of Attic prose through translating more complex German texts, building on the first language competence module.Semesters 1–5Exam (in German): Deutsch-griechische Übersetzungsklausur, 90 Min.10 ECTSRequired elective
   • Introduction to Latin StudiesSummary by OWWZ: Introduces Latin literary history with a focus on prose. Selected texts provide practice in philological analysis, interpretation and presentation of academic arguments.Semesters 1–5 · winter semester onlyExam (in German): Hausarbeit10 ECTSRequired elective
   • Latin Studies ISummary by OWWZ: Deepens Latin literary history with a focus on poetry. Students interpret major texts and genres, critically use scholarship and discuss their own readings.Semesters 1–5 · summer semester onlyExam (in German): Hausarbeit10 ECTSRequired elective
   • Latin Studies IISummary by OWWZ: Practises translation and scholarly interpretation of Latin prose and poetry. The metrics option teaches verse theory and accurate reading of Latin verse.Semesters 1–5 · summer semester only10 ECTSRequired elective
   • Language Competence in Latin ISummary by OWWZ: Translation exercises consolidate Latin grammar and classical style using Caesar and Cicero as models. Students learn to translate simple German texts into grammatically and stylistically appropriate Latin.Semesters 1–5Exam (in German): Deutsch-lateinische Übersetzungsklausur, 90 Min.10 ECTSRequired elective
   • Latin Prose LiteratureSummary by OWWZ: Examines demanding Latin prose through an author or genre. Scholarship, literary models and historical contexts support independent philological interpretation.Semesters 1–5 · winter semester onlyExam (in German): Hausarbeit10 ECTSRequired elective
   • Latin PoetrySummary by OWWZ: Explores Latin poetry through language, metre and ideas. Students integrate genre traditions, poetic language and intellectual contexts into independent interpretations.Semesters 1–5 · summer semester onlyExam (in German): Hausarbeit10 ECTSRequired elective
   • Language Competence in Latin IISummary by OWWZ: More complex translations into Latin deepen grammatical and stylistic competence, following the linguistic and stylistic norms of Caesar and Cicero.Semesters 1–5Exam (in German): Deutsch-lateinische Übersetzungsklausur, 90 Min.10 ECTSRequired elective
   • Latin, A-course (course for beginners), goal: LatinumSummary by OWWZ: Builds basic Latin vocabulary, morphology and simple sentence structures. The first half of the textbook prepares for later reading of Cicero and Ovid and practises translation into German.Semesters 1–5Exam (in German): Klausur5 ECTSRequired elective
   • Latin, F-course (course for advanced students), goal: LatinumSummary by OWWZ: Completes the grammar and core vocabulary needed to read Cicero and Ovid. Students analyse more complex sentence structures and translate or paraphrase them in German.Semesters 1–5Exam (in German): Klausur5 ECTSRequired elective
2. Semester 215 ECTS required depending on trackOld Indic Linguistics · Anatolian LinguisticsContinues: Eurolinguistics, Greek Linguistics, Latin Linguistics, Methods and application areas of Philology and Ancient Studies

   Depending on track: Indogermanistik (Kernfach)

   • Old Indic LinguisticsSummary by OWWZ: Studies Old Indic language and literature through Classical Sanskrit. Historical grammar, etymology and textual reading establish its position within Indo-Iranian and Indo-European.Semesters 2–4 · Indogermanistik (Kernfach) · summer semester onlyExam (in German): Hausarbeit oder Klausur10 ECTS
   • Anatolian LinguisticsSummary by OWWZ: Explores Anatolian language history and texts, focusing on Hittite. Covers historical grammar, etymology and the position of Hittite-Luwian within Indo-European.Semesters 2–4 · Indogermanistik (Kernfach) · winter semester onlyExam (in German): Hausarbeit oder Klausur10 ECTS
3. Semester 319 ECTS required depending on trackGermanic LinguisticsContinues: Old Indic Linguistics, Anatolian Linguistics, Eurolinguistics, Greek Linguistics, Latin Linguistics, Methods and application areas of Philology and Ancient Studies

   Depending on track: Indogermanistik (Kernfach)

   • Germanic LinguisticsSummary by OWWZ: Teaches Germanic language and literary history, historical grammar and etymology. Students practise philological reading and synchronic analysis using at least one Old Germanic language.Semesters 3–5 · Indogermanistik (Kernfach) · summer semester onlyExam (in German): Hausarbeit oder Klausur10 ECTS
4. Semester 419 ECTS required depending on track · 1 elective catalogueRequired elective from PraxismodulContinues: Old Indic Linguistics, Anatolian Linguistics, Eurolinguistics, Germanic Linguistics, Greek Linguistics, Latin Linguistics, Methods and application areas of Philology and Ancient Studies

   Required elective from Praxismodul2 modules · choose 10 ECTS

   • Internship-ASummary by OWWZ: Combines a supporting course with research practice or a self-organised science communication project. Students practise research, presentation, public outreach, teamwork and project organisation.Semesters 4–6Exam (in German): Unbenotetes Portfolio10 ECTSRequired elective
   • Internship-BSummary by OWWZ: An external internship applies linguistic, cultural and communication skills to professional tasks. Students reflect on their experience to inform future study and career choices.Semesters 4–6Exam (in German): Unbenotetes Praktikumsportfolio10 ECTSRequired elective
5. Semester 59 ECTS required depending on trackContinues: Eurolinguistics, Germanic Linguistics, Greek Linguistics, Latin Linguistics
6. Semester 610 ECTS required depending on trackBachelor thesis

   Depending on track: Indogermanistik (Kernfach)

   • Bachelor thesisSummary by OWWZ: Students independently investigate an Indo-European linguistic question using scholarly methods and present their findings in a thesis following academic standards.Thesis · Indogermanistik (Kernfach)10 ECTS

Topic profile · Track Indogermanistik (Kernfach)

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

• Linguistics55 ECTS: 55 required55 ECTS
• Classics, Latin and Ancient Greek26 ECTS: 15 required, 11 elective26 ECTS
• Other languages and philologies10 ECTS: 10 required10 ECTS
• Literary studies6 ECTS: 0 required, 6 elective6 ECTS
• Translation and interpreting3 ECTS: 0 required, 3 elective3 ECTS

Curriculum sources

• Modulkatalog – IndogermanistikModule handbook · Version PO-Version 2007; Stand (Druck) 05.03.2026 · checked 15 October 2026
• Musterstudienplan – IndogermanistikStudy plan · checked 15 October 2026
• Studienordnung der Philosophischen Fakultät für das Fach Indogermanistik als Kernfach- und Ergänzungsfach in Studiengängen mit dem Abschluss Bachelor of ArtsStudy regulations · Version Lesefassung Stand 4. März 2021; vierte Änderung vom 18. Februar 2021 · checked 17 October 2026