English Language and Literature

This degree study programme is divided into two tracks: Linguistics and Literary and Cultural Studies. Each student chooses one specialization and the focus of their studies is in that track. All students must complete five type A/required courses. The remainder of the programme consists of type B/selective and type C/elective courses that the student chooses based on the track chosen. The student then writes a Master’s thesis based on the track and relevant coursework. With the exception of some courses in translation, all teaching, coursework, and exams in this study programme are carried out in the English language.

After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

• write and speak in English with competence at the C2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
• have a deep knowledge of literary and cultural theories and the literatures and cultures of English-speaking countries
• have a deep knowledge of the approaches of modern functional linguistics, including the history of the English language.
• work independently and conduct critical analyses
• analyse, evaluate and interpret primary as well as secondary texts from the fields of literary and cultural studies, linguistics and translation

Graduates with this degree are capable of complex written and oral expression in English. They have a deep knowledge of the literatures, cultures, and histories of the major English-speaking countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Ireland, and the Commonwealth countries. They are able to analyse various forms and functions of language in diverse genres and communicative situations. In addition to work in the fields of translating, interpreting, editing, journalism, tourism, and teaching at both the secondary and tertiary levels, graduates are well-suited for any profession that demands the ability to think and express themselves independently and critically.

A minimum scope of a Master's thesis is no less than 125,000 characters including footnotes, annotations and references (excluding title pages, contents, acknowledgements and appendices). A Master's thesis has the character of an independent empirical research. Students can work with already published texts and data accessible for secondary analysis. The aim a Master's thesis is to demonstrate the student's ability to work critically with professional texts, process the concepts and theories discovered there, and find relevant answers to the given research question.

Further studies are possible in the doctoral degree study programmes of English linguistics or English literature.