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Faculty of Modern LanguagesComparative German Studies – Bachelor 75%

The focus of Comparative German Studies is the comparative and intercultural examination of German language, literature, and culture. 

Facts & Formalities

DegreeBachelor of Arts
Type of programmeUndergraduate
Start of programmeWinter and summer semester
Standard period of study6 semesters
Language(s) of instructionGerman
Fees and contributions151.05 € / Semester
Application procedureSubjects with no admission restrictions
Application deadlinesInformation about deadlines can be obtained after you have put together a degree program.
Part-time optionYes

Course Content

The Bachelor’s degree programme (75%) in Comparative German Studies provides students with a fundamental education in German linguistics or German literature. Students may select one of the areas as a specialisation or may study both areas in equal proportion. The specialised subjects will be supplemented with career-oriented applied courses: Students may choose from either Didactics of German as a Foreign/Second Language or Intercultural Communication. 

Students who specialise in linguistics will learn theoretical and methodological basics for describing language systems and will acquire more in-depth knowledge in this area through courses in selected areas. The diversity of languages offered at the Institute will be employed in the teaching of comparative and typological language considerations.  

Students who specialise in literature will learn to analyse and interpret both German-language literary texts as well as world literature. Based upon the different reading backgrounds of the students, the German literary perspective will be expanded upon to include world literature. 

Didactics of German as a Foreign/Second Language will provide students with an overview of the objectives, tools, materials, and methods of foreign language instruction or German as a Second Language instruction. 

Intercultural Communications provides an introduction to current theories, methods, and tools for intercultural communication. Students will also gain an overview of applied areas, such as global media and corporate communication, or intercultural training.

Course Structure

Areas of Specialisation
Linguistics, Literature: The Introductory Module (recommended in the 1st and 2nd semester) introduces students to the core issues and methodological basics of the subject. The Advanced module (recommended to be taken in the 3rd semester or later) provides further in-depth knowledge in selected areas to enable students to conduct independent academic work.

Cultural Studies: These courses provide an introduction to the theory of culture and history (recommended in the 1st and 2nd semester) as well as an overview of cultural studies concepts and their application (recommended to be taken in the 3rd semester or later).

Textual Skills: This area supplements the subject-specific courses to expand students’ skills in subject-related discourse. Students with a German “Abitur” (qualification for university studies) may, as an alternative, choose other foreign language courses or language history courses offered at the Heidelberg University German Institute or at other university institutes.

Career-Oriented Applied Courses
The areas of Didactics of German as a Foreign/Second Language and Intercultural Communications will initially provide students with subject-specific and methodological knowledge (recommended for the 1st – 2nd semesters), which the students will then be able to apply in practice-oriented courses (recommended to be taken in the 3rd semester or later).

Cross-Disciplinary Skills
The Cross-Disciplinary Skills module (recommended for the 1st – 5th semesters) provides students with personal and professional key and supplemental qualifications. Among others, these include: Fundamentals of academic work, intercultural and interdisciplinary study, foreign language acquisition, and career-specific experience.

Examination Module
The degree programme concludes with a Bachelor’s thesis and a final oral examination.