• An interest in German literature, cultural history, and linguistic developments in a European context
• Intercultural openness and the willingness to live and study in different cultural contexts
• An affinity for discussing literary topics and work modes
• An openness for practical experiences and the willingness to develop important competencies for your professional life, also outside of an academic environment

• You must provide proof of a bachelor’s degree in the humanities or in cultural studies or an equivalent degree from a higher education institution. The degree must be recognized by all partner universities as a qualifying degree for admission to the master’s program. You must have earned at least 50 credits in the subject of German Studies.
• If you did not obtain a university entrance qualification at a German-speaking institution or a degree in a German-speaking course, you must provide proof of German language skills at the B2 level.
• You must also provide proof of English language proficiency at the B1 level.

Good to know: The legally binding basis for selection, admission and enrollment is the text of the entrance requirements as specified in Section 2 of the currently valid examination regulations and, where applicable, in the appendix.

You can find more information in the examination regulations (in German).

1st semester in Portugal:

• Insights into the intercultural aspect of European literature
• Literature in its cultural and historical context
• Discussion of basic intercultural concepts as key concepts of European literature of the early modern period
• Theories and methods in literature and cultural studies
• Cultural continuities and breaks with tradition
• Discussion of topics from cultural history and literary theory
• Introduction to Middle High German
• Language course (C1 German or A1 Portuguese)

2nd semester in Luxembourg:

• Discussion and reflection on the term “interculturality,” particularly in light of topics related to the European Middle Ages
• Critical reading and discussion of pertinent texts from cultural theory and the theory of science
• Selected topics such as gender aspects/social roles, health/illness, right/wrong, media/text comprehension
• Multilingualism: Discussion and reflection on the concept of multilingualism from linguistic, sociolinguistic, and dialectological perspectives; multilingualism in the Middle Ages (Latin vs. vernacular); and practical multilingualism using Luxembourg as a case study.
• Introduction to philosophy: Systematic introduction to key ideas and positions in philosophy (philosophy of mind, philosophy of language, epistemology, ontology/metaphysics, and ethics), critical analysis of selected issues using philosophical reasoning
• Further immersion and reiteration of the fundamentals of academic writing, optimizing academic working methods in linguistics and literature

3rd semester at JGU:

• Intercultural, transcultural, and multicultural phenomena in literary works of the European Middle Ages
• Literary concepts related to cultural identity/alterity, migration, and the hybridization of cultures
• Individual issues and key concepts from cultural history
• Literary methods for identifying esthetic, literary, and cultural tendencies
• Conveyance of key scientific reasoning principles, good scientific practice, and academic integrity
• Writing and style exercises

4th semester in Italy: Master’s thesis, independent research on a topic from literature, media or cultural studies, application of skills learned

• Practical research, paying particular attention to the intersection between theoretical debates and methodical discussions
• Consideration of interdisciplinary aspects
• Presentation of progress reports on the master’s thesis
• Discussion of methods, work techniques, structure and content of the master’s thesis
• Phases of academic work
• Finding references and literature
• Reading and understanding academic texts
• Citation styles, academic integrity
• Strategies for writing and editing

You will define your own personal focus area in the context of the degree program. For example, you can hone your English skills in a language course or learn about economics in a course at the Mainz University of Applied Sciences.

Stays abroad

In the Transnational German Studies master’s degree program, you will study at four renowned European universities:

• You will spend your first semester at the Universidade do Porto (Portugal),
• your second at the Université du Luxembourg,
• your third at JGU,
• and your fourth at the Università degli Studi di Palermo (Italy)

This master’s program thus gives you a unique mobility experience: You will combine European studies topics with an intensive tour through Europe, which allows you insights into each of the four countries for several months at a time – ideal for discovering Europe up close.

In addition, the universities and responsible lecturers are part of a far-reaching network in Europe and across the globe. Your academic horizon will be expanded through guest lecturers who are experts from associated partner universities and can add valuable new perspectives.

Internships

Three modules about employability and the promotion of competence are spread throughout the program. In these, you will have the opportunity to interact with representatives from culture, journalism, politics, etc. You will also be given insights via mentored practical experience in partner institutions such as the ZDF, the Mainz State Theater, and the FAZ.

Voluntary internships are another good opportunity to obtain more in-depth insight into a professional field.

An internship allows you to discover whether everyday life in a particular occupation suits your career expectations and interests. You can gain qualifications for a professional field and acquire important professional and personal skills to start a career. An internship helps you both shape your career path, and mold the remainder of your course sequence – in particular by selecting specializations that suit your practical experience.

You can find further information and relevant internships on the Career Service website.

A special feature of this master’s degree program is its integrated perspective on your transition to a profession, which you can prepare for in various ways while still a student:

• Hands-on days, lecture series (in Porto and Luxembourg), and practical projects give you insights into possible professional fields.
• Special workshops on the topic of employability help you reflect on your professional skills and goals.
• Studying at four different universities helps you build your network and opens up a variety of international options.
• Aside from the particular interdisciplinary breadth of topics within the humanities and cultural studies, elective options also include fundamentals in political science and economics and advanced lessons in English and other national languages.
• Thanks to the multinational structure of the degree program, you will acquire first-hand international and intercultural competencies, which are highly attractive and relevant for the professional world.

This makes you an attractive and ideal employee for various professional fields:

• Academic career (research and teaching)
• Adult education
• Work in the cultural sector (museums, theaters, libraries, foundations, Goethe institutes)
• Media and publishing
• Politics and diplomacy
• International project management and NGOs

However, you are not limited to these professional fields! Jobs in marketing, HR, and management are also well-suited for graduates of this degree program. There are (almost) no limits to your imagination. What’s important is that you already “get a foot in the door” through internships and part-time jobs, thus acquiring practical experience

Not sure what to do after graduation? Don’t worry!

A university degree generally does not prepare you for a single profession but qualifies you for a wide range of career paths – for example, in research, in a typical profession related to your field of study, or in one of many other academic fields.

This is why career orientation is also part of your studies. Gaining practical experience is key, and you can do so through internships, working student positions, part-time jobs or voluntary work, for example.

JGU’s Career Service will support you throughout the entire process with information, advice, workshops and numerous events – from career orientation and working on your profile and skills to finding your dream job and successfully applying for it.