Course summary

The German MLitt comprises taught and research-based elements, allowing you to focus in depth on one aspect of German studies. Our research interests cover all aspects of German culture, literature and language from medieval to modern times. We offer expert supervision in the following areas: •20th century German and Contemporary literature (Dr T Ludden, Dr B Müller) •GDR literature and censorship (Dr B Müller) •Representations of the Holocaust and/or World War II (Dr B Müller) •Literature and philosophy - cultural and critical theory (Dr T Ludden) •Women's writing (Dr T Ludden) •Medieval German and Comparative Literature (Dr E Andersen) •Morphological theory - morphology, phonology and dialectology of German and Dutch (Dr C Fehringer). You will normally work on a research project which comprises two to four research assignments and a longer dissertation. Your supervisor will be an expert in your chosen field, and will receive support if necessary from an experienced research supervisor. The programme is well suited as preparation for PhD research. Our research staff work in a diverse range of fields from sociocultural, historical and political studies, to film and literature, linguistics and sociolinguistics. The School has strong links with interdisciplinary research centres and groups, including: •Centre for Latin American and Caribbean Studies •Centre for Research in Linguistics and Language Sciences •Research Centre in Film and Digital Media •Gender Research Group •Medieval and Early Modern Studies •Postcolonial Research Group. You will also have the opportunity to attend festivals and conferences with a direct bearing on your course. As a student in the School of Modern Languages, you will benefit from the Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) Faculty research training programme. You will choose these research modules in consultation with your supervisors. Up to £250 per year is available to support your attendance at conferences or for archival research. You can also request an inter-library loan allowance. The School of Modern Languages is part of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Northern Bridge Doctoral Training Partnership and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) North East Doctoral Training Centre. Through training courses provided by these partnerships, you will gain knowledge and skills to undertake high-quality social science research. Delivery: This course is delivered by the School of Modern Languages, with the possibility of joint supervision with other schools. You will mainly be based in Newcastle’s city-centre campus. Attendance is flexible and agreed between you and your supervisors depending on the requirements of the research project. Full-time students are expected to undertake 40 hours of work per week with an annual holiday entitlement of 35 days (including statutory and bank holidays). Part-time study requires a commitment of at least 20 hours per week. The MLitt includes a formal research training component where you develop research skills and methodologies (20 credits). You complete a portfolio of essays chosen in consultation with your supervisors according to your interests and experience (80 credits). You then undertake a dissertation of 16,000–24,000 words consisting of a sustained piece of original research (80 credits). Study consists mainly of tutorials and independent learning supported by research training. Supervisors will advise applicants on how to develop their research proposals. Facilities: You will have access to a dedicated quiet study space, as well as use of a common room with kitchen facilities. The School also houses the Language Resource Centre, with an extensive range of language learning facilities and resources, including: •access to 24 satellite television channels from around the world •listen and record facilities for speaking practice •interactive language learning software •an international film collection.