Major Subject Requirements

1^st Year

The BA course in German Language and Literature Studies begins with an introductory module on Medieval German Studies, which consists of the seminar "Introduction to German language history and translation from Middle High German" and the lecture course "Introduction to German Medieval Studies". The introductory seminar provides fundamental knowledge for approaching old German texts. Central to this course, besides the preparation of central tenets of historical grammar, are the morphological analysis and translation of Middle High German texts into modern standard German. In addition to the introductory seminar, tutorials are offered which deepen the teaching material gained in seminars. Attendance of tutorials is voluntary.

The introductory lecture is closely linked to the introductory seminar and offers an overview of the development of German language literature from the 8^th century to the beginning of modernity. To this end the courses focus upon language history and questions regarding cultural and genre history. The introductory lecture should be attended in the same semester as the introductory seminar, as the content of the introductory lecture will also be included in the end of semester exam. Both courses are offered in the every semester and attendance in the second semester is recommended.

In first year an advanced seminar must be attended, which can be chosen from the areas of German linguistics, Modern German Literature or Medieval German Studies. The advanced seminars in Medieval German Studies are intended as reading seminars and offer the opportunity to read a selected Middle High German text, to translate it into modern German and to interpret it.

In a student’s first year of study, a basic tutorial must be attended which is run extra-departmentally.

2^nd Year

In second year students attend a module which expands the knowledge gained in 1^st year, that is a Proseminar II, which requires homework and a presentation. Proseminar II provides literary interpretation approaches in particular fields of study and involves intense analysis of old German texts, which are examine from a methodical and theoretical viewpoint and organised into a cultural historical background.

During the second year of study students attend a lecture and an advanced seminar which focuses on later area of study. If a student chooses Medieval German Studies as his or her area of study, they attend a lecture and an advanced seminar on Medieval German Studies. Students must also attend an extra seminar and lecture from the fields of German linguistics or Modern German Literature. If a student chooses German linguistics, the extra seminar and extra lecture will focus on old German language analysis. Please note that the Medieval German Studies department only offers this historical linguistics lecture one every year and it is not available in each semester. If a student chooses Modern German Literature, the extra seminar and extra lecture will focus upon old German literature. Overview:

• Area of study Modern German Literature: 1 seminar and 1 lecture of Modern German Literature + 1 seminar and 1 lecture of Medieval German Studies (literature)

• Area of study German linguistics: 1 seminar and 1 lecture German linguistics + 1 seminar and 1 lecture of Medieval German Studies (language)

• Area of study Medieval German Studies: 1 seminar and 1 lecture Medieval German Studies (literature/language) + 1 seminar and 1 lecture Modern German Literature/German linguistics

While the advanced seminar of Medieval German Studies (literature) is intended as a reading seminar (see 1^st year), the advanced seminar of Medieval German Studies (language) studies an epoch of old German language history and pre-German language history. The lecture of medieval literature deals with selected literary themes from Medieval German Studies, while the medieval language lecture focuses on selected chapters from the history of the German language from its beginning to early modern times. Advanced seminars and lectures are respectively completed with an exam or on oral test.

3^rd Year

In the 3rd year of German Language and Literature Studies three advanced seminars must be attended, two of which focus on the chosen area of study. If a student chooses Medieval German Studies as his or her area of study, they will attend two advanced seminars on Medieval German Studies (term paper and an oral exam) and an advanced seminar (written exam) from either Modern German Literature or German linguistics. If a student has chosen German linguistics, an advanced seminar with a final written exam from Medieval German Studies (language) must be attended. Please note that the advanced seminar focusing on language history is only offered once a year and not in each semester. If a student chooses Modern German Literature, they must attend an advanced seminar with a final written exam focusing in medieval literature. Overview:

• Area of study Modern German Literature: 2 advanced seminars on Modern German Literature + 1 advanced seminar on Medieval German Studies (literature)

• Area of study German linguistics: 2 advanced seminars on German linguistics + 1 advanced seminar on Medieval German Studies (language)

• Area of study German Medieval Studies: 2 advanced seminars on Medieval German Studies + 1 advanced seminar Modern German literature/German linguistics

The advanced seminar on Medieval German Studies (literature) deepens knowledge acquired during basic studies in the student’s selected field of study and provides a comprehensive understanding of literary methods and approaches to medieval fields of research. The advanced seminar on Medieval German Studies (language) offers a method and theme oriented analysis of linguistic phenomena from a historical viewpoint and concentrates on particular periods of German and pre-German language history. Please note that the Medieval German Studies department only offers the medieval language course only on a yearly basis.

Minor Subject Requirements

1^st Year: Two of the three introductory modules from the three departments must be chosen. See above for the description of the German Medieval Studies introductory module.

2^nd Year: Students must attend a proseminar and a lecture of the subjects selected in 1^st year. See above for course description.

3^rd Year: One of the two subjects from the first two years is chosen as the main area of study. Two advanced seminars must be attended. See above for details. An advanced seminar or a lecture must also be attended, which can be chosen voluntarily from the subject areas.