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Historisch-Vergleichende Sprachwissenschaft / Historical and Comparative Linguistics (major subject in a combined bachelor’s degree)

Foto: Elisabeth Rieken

Program: Historisch-Vergleichende Sprachwissenschaft / Historical and Comparative Linguistics
Degree: depends on the major chosen
Program option: major subject in a combined bachelor's degree
Study model: combined bachelor's degree
Program length: 6/8 semesters / 3/4 years (180/ 210 ECTS points) (depending on the combination)

Contents

The major subject “Historical and Comparative Linguistics” will provide you with a sound education in the themes and methods of general and historical linguistics. This will provide you with a basis for dealing with the most important languages of the Indo-European language family (Old Indic, Latin, Hittite, Greek), which form the core subject area of the degree programme. Further languages can be added to the portfolio through regulated options. In Marburg, there is a particular research focus on the languages of ancient Anatolia, for example. On the basis of the aforementioned languages and their traditions, you will also develop linguistic and philological approaches to historical written sources. You will also learn to apply the methods of comparative linguistics and to understand and assess the reconstruction of Proto-Indo-European.

The goal of the course is to gain an academic yet professionally relevant degree that will enable you to either enter various language- and culture-oriented professional fields or to be admitted into a Master of Arts (M.A.) programme in the field of historical linguistics.

Prospects

As well as an academic career, all the professional fields relating to cultural mediation and culture management will be open to you. Depending on your personal interests and your personal engagement, you will also find access to work at publishing houses, archives, museums and adult education institutions, as well as in knowledge management and in the field of public relations and (social) media. The social, communication and linguistics skills acquired may also qualify you for employment in specific areas of politics (especially science and education policy) and business.

The choice of your major subject will decisively shape your professional qualifications profile. In conjunction with one or two minor subjects, your relevant work experience (e.g. internships, part-time jobs, voluntary work) and your personal skills, it will enable you to refine your profile and carve out your own individual array of career options.

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