German and Comparative Literature (Hons)

The BA in German and Comparative Literature equally blends intensive German language training with literary study of German and international texts. Teaching spans ten to fifteen weekly contact hours delivered through lectures, seminars and small-group language classes, complemented by two to three hours of independent study per hour. Assessment mixes coursework and examinations, including oral exams, a final-year dissertation and creative journals. Students spend the third year abroad, choosing teaching assistantships, university study or supported professional placements. Core modules include Brief Encounters: Around The World In Short Stories, Beyond Compare: Literature Across Borders, Knowledge and Power, Culture and Language, and year-specific compulsory modules such as Adventures in World Literature and Literary Culture in the Digital Age, with optional modules covering Postcolonial Literatures, Madness, Translation and European Avant-Garde. The programme benefits from the Queen Mary library, the Multimedia Language Resource Centre, language clubs and guest seminars, and permits additional language study at the Language Centre. Research-informed teaching, strong industry links and a focus on social justice underpin the curriculum, preparing graduates for careers in translation, editing, teaching and cultural sectors.