Faculty of Modern LanguagesEditorial Theory and Textual Criticism – Master
Students in the Master’s degree programme in editorial theory learn the practical aspects of source development and practically-oriented fundamental research in the area of literary traditions of medieval and modern Europe. Furthermore, they receive a thorough philological education in which use of editorial tools and the ability to conduct intensive interpretations are trained.
Facts & Formalities
| Degree | Master of Arts |
| Type of programme | Consecutive |
| Start of programme | Winter and summer semester |
| Standard period of study | 4 semesters |
| Language(s) of instruction | German |
| Fees and contributions | 186.35 € / Semester |
| Application procedure | Consecutive master’s programmes with access restriction |
| Application deadlines | Information about deadlines can be obtained after you have put together a degree program. |
Course Content
In the Master’s degree programme in editorial theory and textual criticism, lecturers and students have a close working relationship. They develop sources and conduct fundamental research together. Education in the degree programme is “ad fontes”, i.e. back to the sources and original texts, and applies the three original areas of philological activity, namely edition, commentary and interpretation, in the course. In addition to basic skills and competencies such as development of material documents, reading a variety of scripts, manuscript description and textual representation, students also learn to comment on and interpret texts and draft manuscripts.
Students acquire numerous complementary skills that are almost unique in their constellation. They learn:
- to systematically articulate general questions of portrayal on the basis of concrete, detailed issues associated with historical tradition
- to abstractly apply knowledge acquired from individual cases to other situations
- to plausibly describe editorial facts and situations related to other areas as well as the technical skills required for medial dissemination of these descriptions
- specific application forms of editorial work in publishing houses, archives, libraries and museums
Course Structure
The degree programme is divided into the following sections:
- 3 basic modules (mandatory) Acquisition of linguistic-historic basic knowledge, editorial theory and practice, issues related to text criticism and hermeneutics
- 1 internship (in libraries, publishing houses, archives, museums)
- 5 supplementary modules (to be chosen facultatively, two mandatory modules). These modules enable students to consolidate their knowledge and skills in palaeography and codicology, specialise in editorial theory and practice in related subject areas (musicology, history) and to gain complementary qualifications in publishing and journalism.