Intercultural German Studies and Multilingualism University of Education Schwäbisch Gmünd

Multilingualism and diversity enrich every society and every institution. Yet they pose challenges that must be addressed and managed at the same time. Our applied MA programme in Intercultural German Studies and Multilingualism educates students to become experts in the areas of language, cultures, and communication. Students will gain profound knowledge not only on German language and literature and how to teach them but also on multilingualism and interculturality. They will be capable of managing intercultural, multilingual communication, and they will be able to convey cultural and linguistic skills and insights to a variety of different audiences.

The programme is suited for students with a background in German Studies, German as a Foreign/Second Language, Linguistics, Literary Studies, Cultural Studies, or similar. It addresses people with a keen interest in multilingualism and diversity who want their studies to be of practical value.

The first semester provides the theoretical basis and introduces the students to the theories, approaches, and methods used to analyse language, literature, culture and diversity. In module 1, students acquire the knowledge and skills to analyse literature in a global context. Module 2 provides the linguistic theories and methods to analyse multilingualism from cognitive, interactional, and sociolinguistic perspectives, and provides fundamental insights into L2 acquisition. Module 3 focuses on cultural studies and furnishes the students with concepts and theories that explain the complexities of cultures and diversity in a globalised world. In module 4, students are introduced to research methods, and they take a course on public relations.

The second semester focuses on theories on the acquisition of cultural and linguistic skills and on methods of teaching language and culture in super-diverse environments. In module 5, students gain the expertise to teach literature and cultures in different settings. In module 6, they are confronted with challenges and possibilities that teaching and learning of languages in multilingual, multicultural spaces offer, and they acquire didactic skills to manage multilingual and diverse language classrooms. Continuing with module 4, they also learn how to manage projects, and how to gain intercultural competence.

In the third semester, students apply their knowledge in internships. We offer a range of possibilities for doing internships in Germany or abroad. During the third semester, we also provide a range of courses that equip students with practical skills and knowledge: courses on public relations, on marketing and advertising, on adult education, and publishing, for example. 

The fourth semester is dedicated to the composition of the Master's thesis. The research and writing process is closely monitored to ensure that students receive the guidance and assistance they need to complete their studies.

Semester one: 

Module 1: German Studies in a global context: Literary Studies

• Lecture: Introduction to intercultural literary studies
• Seminar: German Studies in a global context

Module 2: German Studies in a global context: Linguistics

• Lecture: Introduction to multilingualism and L2 acquisition
• Seminar: Multilingualism, the individual and society

Module 3: German Studies in a global context: Cultural Studies

• Lecture: Culture and communication in a globalised world
• Seminar: Theories and methods of cultural studies

Module 4.1: Practical skills

• Seminar: Research methods in social sciences
• Seminar: Public relations

Semester two:

Module 4.2:

• Seminar: Intercultural competence
• Seminar: Project management

Module 5: Teaching intercultural literature

• Seminar: Intercultural literature in Germany
• Seminar: Didactics of teaching intercultural literature
• Study groups

Module 6: Language and language education in multilingual spaces

• Seminar: Language acquisition and language use in super-diverse societies
• Seminar: Didactics of language teaching in super-diverse groups
• Study groups

Semester three:

Module 7: Windows of opportunities (choose three)

• Seminar: Language education for adults
• Seminar: Diagnosing and differentiating in German L2-classrooms
• Seminar: Publishing
• Seminar: Marketing and advertising in a globalised world
• Seminar: Cultural institutions today
• Seminar: Educating multipliers
• Seminar: Methods of teaching German as an L2

Internships

Semester four:

Module 8: MA thesis: research and research seminar

Integrated internships in the third semester

BA in German Studies, German as a Foreign Language/Second Language, Linguistics, Literary Studies, Cultural Studies, or similar

167 EUR per semester

Living costs are generally lower in Schwäbisch Gmünd than in the big cities in Germany.

The possibility of finding part-time employment in the region is quite good. The course schedule allows for part-time work during the studies.

Student housing is available.