Englisches Seminar

M.A. English Linguistics

Profile

The M.A. program English Linguistics provides a full understanding of current linguistics and a thorough training in the empirical methods used in linguistic research. The combination of empirical research with theoretical modeling is an internationally renowned hallmark of linguistics in Tübingen.

Details Profile

There is a long tradition of Linguistics in Tübingen, but there are more linguists now working on a wider variety of aspects of linguistics than ever before. In part, this is due to the exceptional success of Tübingen linguists in attracting research funding over the last 20 years. The course structure of the M.A. program English Linguistics reflects this depth and interdisciplinarity. In addition to core areas of phonetics, morphology, syntax, and semantics, the program offers specializations in second language acquisition, information structure, language processing, experimental syntax, formal semantics, psycholinguistics, and historical linguistics. While there is an emphasis on the description and processing of the English language, perspectives are always enriched by cross-linguistic comparison and interdisciplinary approaches ranging from experimentation to literary studies. For this reason, students can combine courses offered in English Linguistics with selected M.A. courses offered by the other Linguistics departments.

An important aspect of the M.A. program is the degree of choice in independent studies. From the very beginning, students are encouraged to design and conduct their own research projects. Supervised by staff, they can contribute to the ongoing research of the English department, and joint publications with staff are often the result. The acquired empirical skills provide students with excellent qualifications for further study in Linguistics at doctoral level.

In recent international and national ratings, Linguistics in Tübingen fared very well. For example, in the QS World University Ranking, Linguistics is in the worlds’ top 100.

English Linguistics @ Tübingen

Linguistic departments in Tübingen co-operate in Collaborative Research Centers (Sonderforschungsbereiche) since the 1990s. The current Collaborative Research Center 833 on the construction of meaning investigates how meaning arises in context, during linguistic processing, how it develops over time and how it varies across languages. The Research Training Group 1808 (DFG Graduiertenkolleg) on the topic of ambiguity in production and perception, offers interdisciplinary dissertation projects in linguistics, literary studies, psychology, law, theology, and rhetoric.