Module 23-LIT-M-AM1 Advanced Module 1: Research Perspectives

Faculty

Person responsible for module

Regular cycle (beginning)

Every semester

Credit points and duration

15 Credit points

For information on the duration of the modul, refer to the courses of study in which the module is used.

Competencies

In the course of practical research seminars, students enhance their ability to develop and present academic topics and texts. In research-related seminars and colloquia, students become acquainted with current discourses and specific academic projects and learn how to contribute to them. In the process, they gain familiarity with theories, methods, concepts and approaches that researchers within literary studies, but also in other disciplines currently draw on. The active integration into dynamic research processes prepares students for further academic work in the Profilierungsphase as well as for the conception and implementation of the Master's thesis, and possibly also for a subsequent doctoral phase. The methodological and transfer competences acquired in the courses are applied in the written (or both written and oral) module examination.

Content of teaching

The module presents a platform for immediate exchange between research and teaching by actively integrating students into the instructors' research practice. In the seminars on "Perspectives on Research", the instructors give insight into their doctoral theses, post-doctoral habilitations or current research projects and invite students to participate. In academic colloquia, students discuss current research literature, talk to visiting academics or gain insights into the final theses written by other students. The practical research seminars are dedicated to a broad spectrum of literary and interdisciplinary topics, texts and theories. In addition to providing insight into current research discourses, the courses impart practical knowledge that is indispensable for independent academic work, such as literature research or project conceptualisation. The projects to be realised under the guidance of the teaching staff can be, for example, a workshop, a student symposium, a student publication or similar. They address questions such as: What makes a good presentation? How do I create a suitable presentation? How do I develop a thesis? In this way, students familiarise themselves with the entire spectrum of activities involved in literary studies.

Recommended previous knowledge

Necessary requirements

Explanation regarding the elements of the module

Module structure: 3 SL, 1 bPr 1

Courses

Practicing Research
Type seminar
Regular cycle WiSe&SoSe
Workload5 120 h (30 + 90)
LP 4 [SL]
Research Perspectives (1)
Type seminar
Regular cycle WiSe&SoSe
Workload5 120 h (30 + 90)
LP 4 [SL]
Research Perspectives (2)
Type seminar
Regular cycle WiSe&SoSe
Workload5 120 h (30 + 90)
LP 4 [SL]

Study requirements

Allocated examiner Workload LP2
Teaching staff of the course Practicing Research (seminar)

The form of academic work in literary degree programmes may vary depending on the type of module, its focus and its subject matter. Possible examples include: presentations, exercises, bibliographies, position papers, short essays, meeting minutes, blog posts, brief interpretations and online tests. The following applies to all contributions: In total, each student may be required to submit written work of no more than 1,500 words, or oral contributions lasting no more than 15 minutes, or (online) tests with a total completion time of no more than 8 hours for any one course. These may be divided into several individual components. The specific requirements to be met in the course are determined by the teaching staff and announced no later than the first session.

Coursework in Literary Studies serves
- to practise a reflective and discursive approach;
- to prepare for and follow up on courses;
- to structure work within the courses;
- to summarise and reflect on the learning outcomes of the courses.

see above see above
Teaching staff of the course Research Perspectives (1) (seminar)

The form of academic work in literary degree programmes may vary depending on the type of module, its focus and its subject matter. Possible examples include: presentations, exercises, bibliographies, position papers, short essays, meeting minutes, blog posts, brief interpretations and online tests. The following applies to all contributions: In total, each student may be required to submit written work of no more than 1,500 words, or oral contributions lasting no more than 15 minutes, or (online) tests with a total completion time of no more than 8 hours for any one course. These may be divided into several individual components. The specific requirements to be met in the course are determined by the teaching staff and announced no later than the first session.

Coursework in Literary Studies serves
- to practise a reflective and discursive approach;
- to prepare for and follow up on courses;
- to structure work within the courses;
- to summarise and reflect on the learning outcomes of the courses.

see above see above
Teaching staff of the course Research Perspectives (2) (seminar)

The form of academic work in literary degree programmes may vary depending on the type of module, its focus and its subject matter. Possible examples include: presentations, exercises, bibliographies, position papers, short essays, meeting minutes, blog posts, brief interpretations and online tests. The following applies to all contributions: In total, each student may be required to submit written work of no more than 1,500 words, or oral contributions lasting no more than 15 minutes, or (online) tests with a total completion time of no more than 8 hours for any one course. These may be divided into several individual components. The specific requirements to be met in the course are determined by the teaching staff and announced no later than the first session.

Coursework in Literary Studies serves
- to practise a reflective and discursive approach;
- to prepare for and follow up on courses;
- to structure work within the courses;
- to summarise and reflect on the learning outcomes of the courses.

see above see above

Examinations

term paper o. portfolio o. portfolio with final oral examination o. project with written assignment o. oral presentation with written exploration
Allocated examiner Modulverantwortliche*r prüft oder bestimmt Prüfer*in
Weighting 1
Workload 90h
LP2 3

Depending on the focus of the course in which the module examination is taken, various examination formats are possible, in which students can apply the practical research skills they have acquired.
Possible options include a portfolio of eight individual documents, each approximately 2 pages long; a portfolio of six individual documents, each approximately 2 pages long, accompanied by a final oral examination (approximately 15–20 minutes); a seminar paper of 15–20 pages; a presentation with a written report (max. 30 mins, 12–14 pages) or a project with a written report. The module examination is taken as part of one of the courses the student has completed; the examiner is the teaching staff member responsible for the course.

The scope of the content and the tasks to be completed for the portfolio are agreed with the examiner. The portfolio may include, amongst other things: a bibliography, an essay, a short interpretation, an exercise, a genre analysis, minutes or a review.

The scope of the seminar paper and the specific task to be completed are agreed with the examiner before work begins.
The scope of the presentation with written paper and the specific task to be completed are agreed with the examiner. In doing so, the content of the presentation may be developed in depth, expanded upon, or aspects not covered in the presentation may be taken into account. Furthermore, a specific aspect may be singled out and discussed in detail.
The scope of the content and the specific task to be addressed in the project, including the written component, are agreed with the examiner.

The module is used in these degree programmes:

Degree programme Profile Recom­mended start 3 Duration Manda­tory option 4
Literary Studies / Master of Arts [FsB vom 01.09.2026] Practice 2. 1 semes­ter Obli­gation
Literary Studies / Master of Arts [FsB vom 01.09.2026] Research 2. 1 semes­ter Obli­gation

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Legend

1
The module structure displays the required number of study requirements and examinations.
2
LP is the short form for credit points.
3
The figures in this column are the specialist semesters in which it is recommended to start the module. Depending on the individual study schedule, entirely different courses of study are possible and advisable.
4
Explanations on mandatory option: "Obligation" means: This module is mandatory for the course of the studies; "Optional obligation" means: This module belongs to a number of modules available for selection under certain circumstances. This is more precisely regulated by the "Subject-specific regulations" (see navigation).
5
Workload (contact time + self-study)
SoSe
Summer semester
WiSe
Winter semester
SL
study requirement
Pr
Examination
bPr
Number of examinations with grades
uPr
Number of examinations without grades
This academic achievement can be reported and recognised.
Non-official translation of the module descriptions. Only the German version is legally binding.