New German Literature: History – Theory – Mediation (M.A.)

The subject of the degree programme is Modern German Literature from the Baroque to the present. Students acquire and deepen fundamental literary-scientific competences in three fields of work: in literary history, literary theory and the practical teaching of literature. They can specialise in this degree programme according to their interests and develop their own subject-specific profile.

The subject "Literary Studies / Modern German Literature" is particularly broadly positioned in Göttingen. Its research foci are reflected in the Master's programme and enable students to gain insights into current academic projects. The programme combines literary-historical with theoretical-systematic questions and relates these to the requirements of the practice and mediation of literature. With its pillars "History of Literature", "Basic Research in Literary Studies" and "Teaching Literature", it combines three central areas of knowledge and competence:

In the study focus on literary history, students acquire a well-founded overview of the development of German-language literature from the 17th century to the present. They deepen their knowledge of the procedures and poetic prerequisites of the literary texts, get to know further literary-historical contexts and intertextual references and deal with the historical and social, discursive, media and knowledge-historical conditions under which the texts are created and their consequences.

In the basic focus, students acquire extensive knowledge of the relevant theories and methods. The spectrum ranges from the traditions of rhetoric, poetics and aesthetics to more recent and newest theories of literature, culture and media studies as well as methods of digital humanities. In doing so, students also reflect on the scientific-theoretical and methodological foundations of the subject.

In the study focus on literature mediation, students deal theoretically and practically with literature and literary studies in the contexts of their respective mediation. They acquire basic skills and learn to apply specialised knowledge in different areas of activity in literature mediation (e.g. in publishing houses, literature houses and archives) and to reflect on the specific conditions of practice. The focus is on application-related literary studies work as well as aspects of the mediality or mediatedness of literature.

The Master's degree "Modern German Literature. History - Theory - Mediation" prepares you for jobs in science-related and literature mediating professional fields, e.g. in science and culture management, in publishing houses, libraries and media institutions as well as in public relations work of various institutions and in adult education. In addition, it opens up the possibility of further academic qualification, especially in the context of a doctorate.