Comparative Literature is about making comparisons – and connections – between challenging themes and motifs in different literatures and cultures. As well as having the opportunity to study a range of genres, time periods, and national literatures (all of which can be studied in translation), you can cross nationalities and even time periods. You could also examine links between literature and a whole range of other art forms: such as music; film; popular culture or visual arts. Equally, studying modern languages is about more than vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation: you will also immerse yourself in culture, spend time working or studying abroad and learn to understand the subtleties of communication. In this programme your time is split equally between German and comparative literature. You will study German language and culture in depth, and explore the broader perspective of the literatures and cultures of Europe, Latin America and beyond.
In each year you follow core language modules in which skills in the understanding and expression of German are developed by a variety of methods. In your first year you will follow foundation modules introducing you to various aspects of literary theory and critical thinking, including one focusing on German linguistics, literature and culture. In your second and final years you will take increasingly advanced module options concentrating on particular literary themes, movements and genres, and may opt to undertake a research project in your final year. Your third year is normally spent abroad, in Germany or a German-speaking country. You can choose to study at another university, or else take up a work placement, for example as a teaching assistant. |
