European Languages and Cultures - English

Would you like to become an expert on the cultures, languages and politics of Europe?

The United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland have played important political and cultural roles in Europe for a long time. The United Kingdom has always had a troubled relationship with continental Europe and its political structures. Ireland, on the other hand, has liberated itself from British influence and is an active member of the European family. 

By studying the key linguistic, political, cultural and social topics of contemporary Europe, you will learn to understand the mutual relationship, differences and similarities among national and regional cultures. In doing so, you will learn to understand future challenges and inform advanced decision-making in cultural, political and educational institutions. 

Why English?

The English specialization within the degree programme in European Languages and Cultures focuses on the wide literary, cultural, historical, social and political spectrum of Europe, with specific emphasis on British or Irish literature and linguistics. You will familiarize yourself with English linguistics, further develop your English proficiency and follow a number of general lectures in the fields of English linguistics and literature in a European context. You could, for example, combine the Politics and Society profile within European Languages and Cultures with courses in Journalism or International Relations, or focus on modern literary history, for example via a comparative study of European writers.

An economic power with a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, the United Kingdom is still a globally important country. However, its strong ties to the Commonwealth and the wider world mean that its role on a European scale is more modest. The United Kingdom is torn between its global role and its position among the traditional powers within Europe. However, despite its limited involvement in Europe and the European Union, the United Kingdom has made great cultural contributions – think, for example, of the British Empire, the Industrial Revolution and subcultures such as Beat and Punk. 

The programme has a flexible structure. From your second year onward, you will specialise in one of the profiles:

• European Language and Society
• European Culture and Literature
• European Politics and Society