Course content and focus areas
The master's program in linguistics is a theoretical linguistics program in which English is the language of instruction. This four-semester program focuses on one subject and builds on the knowledge participants gained during their bachelor's degree. It specializes in research-oriented studies in three fields of linguistics: working and research. Available research fields include syntax, semantics, phonology, psycholinguistics, neurolinguistics, language variation and change, and constraint-based grammar. In addition to the Institute of Linguistics, the following institutes designed and support this master's program:
Institut für England & Amerikastudien (IEAS), Institut für Psycholinguistik und Didaktik der deutschen Sprache, Institut für Romanische Sprachen und Literaturen.
The program qualifies students to make theoretically founded and empirically based statements about different aspects of language and to investigate them further in independent, research-oriented work. To this end, the program expands and deepens the theoretical foundations and techniques of linguistic language description. Additionally, the program focuses on engaging with the current state of research and initiatives. The goal is to guide students in independently conceiving and executing research projects.
What is theoretical linguistics?
At Goethe University, it involves using logical and mathematical tools to analyze language as in the theories of the Minimalist Program, Montague Grammar, Optimality Theory, and Head-Driven Phrase Structure Grammar.
Please note that the master's program in linguistics at Goethe University is not a program in English linguistics. Therefore, applicants must have a bachelor's degree in theoretical linguistics or an equivalent qualification to participate in the program. A BA in applied linguistics, English language and/or literature, teaching English as a foreign language, or English translation does not guarantee acceptance.
For more information, including general prerequisites for the master's program in linguistics and an applicant checklist, please check the faculty website.