German Studies – Culture, Politics, Society
Title of the Program: German Studies – Culture, Politics, Society
Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Language of Instruction: Georgian
Length of the program: 120 ECTS
Qualification: Master of German Studies
Maximum Number of Students: 10
About the program
The program was developed in 2023. The program is updated at the beginning of each academic year for further improvement of the learning process.
German Studies is an interdisciplinary program that covers issues related to Germany from the German theoretical-political, social, economic context. Students will learn German literature and philosophy, German linguistics, translation, and the German language at an advanced level. The program allows the student to do an internship in a German organization.
Program Aims
German Studies is a new type of multi- and interdisciplinary study program related to Germany, that aims to promote the socio-cultural rapprochement of Germany and Georgia based on the study and research of the connections and relations between these two countries.
The goal of the program is to prepare competitive specialists in the field of German studies who, based on modern research methods and complex and interdisciplinary knowledge about Germany and its context (culture, politics, society), will be able to study German-language documents and artifacts preserved in Georgia and German-Georgian intercultural literature and sources depicting contacts; To study the socio-cultural relations between Germany and Georgia.
Major Fields of Study
The program covers subjects and areas such as German politics and society (German history, politics, economics in the European context); German culture (literature, philosophy); technical German and translation studies (linguistics, literary and technical translation issues).
Learning Outcomes and Competencies (General and Field Specific)
The graduate can:
- analyze the historical dynamics and current trends of the development of German culture (philosophy, literature, art) and society;
- evaluate the social, political, economic, and legal aspects of Germany and determine the country's place in the global context;
- use new methods and approaches established in social and cultural sciences, or if necessary, creatively and originally synthesize them for independent study of current interdisciplinary tasks in the field of German studies;
- critically analyze and evaluate German-language primary sources (literary, historical, legislative, political, philosophical, audio-visual, oral) as media of German culture and, based on supporting (scientific) literature, carry out an innovative synthesis of the information sought;
- present the results of his/her research to the academic and professional society using modern means of communication and observing the standards of academic integrity;
- use the German language at a professional level, i.e. read and process scientific texts related to the field in German. conduct oral and written communication in German;
- manage the intercultural environment and adapt to it by using strategic approaches to intercultural communication and considering cultural diversity;
- assess the need to acquire additional knowledge and experience in the direction of German studies and independently plan the educational process according to his/her own needs and goals.
Instruction Methods
Lecture; Seminar; Analysis and Synthesis; Electronic and hybrid learning elements; Demonstration method; Practical method; Discussions/Debates; Brainstorming; Group work; Case study; Cooperative learning; Induction/deduction; Supervision; Active learning; Flipped class; Problem-based learning; Project-based learning; Reflection, etc.
Depending on the specifics of the learning components, other teaching methods can be used during the program's implementation, which is presented in the syllabi of certain courses.
Career Opportunities
The graduate can be employed
in international organizations of the appropriate profile (e.g.: German Academic Exchange Service, foundations, GIZ, etc.);
in the field of tourism;
in mass media (e.g.: newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and new media);
in the publishing business (e.g.: editorial offices, publishing houses...);
in translation work;
in the field of international relations (e.g.: embassies, consulates, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Integration Agency, EU Delegation to Georgia...)
in the field of education (Goethe Institute).
Structure of the Program
To obtain the academic degree of Master of German Studies, the student must accumulate 120 credits, according to the following scheme:
Structure of the program:
- Compulsory Module – Research Methods - 18 credits;
- Compulsory Module- Intercultural and Field-related Communication - 18 credits;
- Compulsory Module - Politics and Society of Germany - 18 credits;
- Elective Module - European Context - no more than 18 credits;
- Master’s thesis - 30 credits.
Instead of the courses offered in the optional block, the student can additionally choose courses from one or several mandatory blocks. All students enrolled in the program are required to write a master's thesis (30 credits) in the last semester of their master's studies.
Updated information about entrance exams and admission procedures is published on the Ilia State University website each year.
Contact Information
Ilia Chavchavadze Av. N32, Rooms: A 204, A 201, A 302
☏ (+995 32) 222 00 09 (200)
✉info.arts_sciences@iliauni.edu.ge
✉ elene.kikalishvili@iliauni.edu.ge
✉ natalia_nemsadze@iliauni.edu.ge