English Linguistics M.A.

1. Students acquire extensive advanced skills in linguistics, with a particular focus on the English language, language variation and the varieties of English, and on the diachronic evolution of the English language. Graduates will be able to differentiate and characterize lines of evolution of the English language in various linguistic areas. They learn to define, compare, and evaluate the structural characteristics and usage features of the English language and its varieties, and to analyze and assess texts regarding their structural and stylistic characteristics.

2. Students learn to select, compare, and assess relevant contemporary methods appropriately, to apply them and to conduct analyzes with them. Graduates can critically evaluate and apply relevant methods and theories.

3. Students learn to evaluate current research approaches in English linguistics and to derive their own ideas for research, as well as to reflect on and discuss major linguistic works. Graduates are able to work independently on topics in English Linguistics, to use and critically evaluate and process academic literature, and to write a comprehensive study at a scholarly level.         

4. Graduates can independently develop and write academic and interdisciplinary papers by reflecting on theories, models, and methods in current research. They are able to demonstrate that they can apply these methods and theories and that they can render them into target group specific writing in the context of an empirical study. Furthermore, they are able to develop a research concept with critical assessment in a structured written form including discussion and evaluation. They are familiar with the processing of academic results and recognize research desiderata.