Renewable Energy Engineering and Management

This programme examines the literatures and cultures of Europe and their historical, systematic and sociocultural relevance, from ancient times to the present. The focus is on literary-cultural processes of production, reception and exchange, both within Europe and between Europe and other cultural areas. Special attention is devoted to the interplay between literary tradition and innovation, and to the productive connections between literature and other arts, media and forms of cultural knowledge. The programme's approach is decidedly comparative and interdisciplinary; it combines theory and methods from the fields of philology as well as from cultural and media studies.
The objective of the programme is to impart deepened knowledge of European literatures and cultures, in terms of both their historical origins and their present structures. Students learn to reflect according to methodological-theoretical models and to analyse complex literary and cultural phenomena. Integral to the programme is the attainment of comprehensive competence in dealing with inter- and transcultural issues, as well as the strengthening of practical skills within the field of literary and cultural exchange at home and abroad.

Educational organisation

More detailed information at:
http://www.germanistik.uni-freiburg.de/studium/studiengang/master/masterELK

Study abroad unit(s)

The integration of a study abroad unit is possible.

Forms of assessment

Written exams (papers), Master's thesis, oral final examination

Course objectives

Graduates of the Master's course in "European Literatures and Cultures" (ELC) have acquired a profound familiarity with current, in some cases competing, theories and methods of modern literary and cultural studies, and have learnt to critically assess their validity and relevance, as well as to apply them to the study of significant textual corpora from the history of European literature. They have intensely studied the temporal dimension, the longue durée, of literary processes of tradition and canonisation, which enables them to understand mechanisms of reception and selection in their socio-cultural embeddedness and to closely scrutinise the contribution of literary traditions and canonicity to the construction of collective identities. ELC graduates have learnt to situate networks of intercultural contact and communication within their literary as well as extra-literary contexts and to consistently analyse the consequences of such cultural relations in a theoretically and methodologically cogent manner. They have acquired professional insights into intermedial as well as intercultural phenomena and have at their disposal a profound understanding of the close interconnectedness between literature and its cultural and media-related environment. Their familiarity with current trends in literary and cultural studies enables the students to generate original research projects of their own and to pursue them according to the highest professional standards. Finally, the students have gained intimate, hands-on knowledge of institutions for the promotion of literature and culture in the public realm, both in Germany and abroad, and they have trained their ability to use their acquired understanding of literary and cultural phenomena in various professional constellations and practical fields.

Language requirements

German: TestDaF 5/5/5/5 or DSH 3; English: CEFR B2; good knowledge (A2) of a further modern language or Latin/Greek

Required DSH / TestDaF

Yes

Academic requirements

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in philology or cultural studies

Enrolment fees

Approx. 150 EUR per semester
The fee includes a semester ticket covering public transport in the Freiburg area.

Costs of living

Participants must make sure in good time that sufficient funds are available to finance their participation in a course of study. The average cost of living in Freiburg for one month is currently approx. 800-900 EUR. Some details:

• Student accommodation costs approx. 280-450 EUR (monthly).
• Private expenses amount to around 350 EUR (monthly).
• Health insurance is available for approx. 45-90 EUR (monthly).
• Transport: A special student fare for regional transport costs approx. 89 EUR (per semester).

Services and support for international students

In addition to services and support offered by each coordinator of a course of study, the International Office organises a special four-day orientation session which generally takes place two weeks before the beginning of the semester. This orientation session includes information about various aspects of everyday life (e.g. accommodation, work opportunities, etc.), presentations and visits to important institutions (e.g. the university library), and opportunities for socialising with other international students. During the semester, the "International Club", coordinated by the Studentenwerk (students' social services), offers a great variety of events, trips, and services for international students in cooperation with the International Office. Furthermore, the UNIKOS team, a group of international students who have been studying at Freiburg University for some time, give practical advice and can be approached for help in several languages.

Accommodation

As Freiburg is an attractive city, finding a suitable place to live can take a little time. Only a small number of students can be offered a room in a student dormitory. The Studentenwerk (students' social services) is in charge of the student dormitories. Applicants must expect a waiting period. In addition to these dormitories, several independent dormitories are listed on the university website. The Studentenwerk also offers a list of available private rooms and the International Office can be contacted for further assistance in finding accommodation (http://www.international.uni-freiburg.de).