2nd Graduate Module

At the 2nd graduate module in Cultural encounters, you will specialise in the theory of science of cultural and linguistic research. You must choose if you want to finish your studies at Cultural Encounters with:

• A depth module project
• An MA dissertation 
• An integrated MA dissertation, where the dissertation constitutes the joint completion of both subjects of your Master studies programme

2nd graduate module - A depth module project

The 2nd graduate module contains a dissemination course, a thematic course, a research seminar and project work.

Dissemination course:
In this course, you will gain experience in disseminating your project results to different target groups. There will be hands-on exercises in disseminating and presenting your academic knowledge through different genres and media, orally as well as in writing.

Thematic course:
During the thematic course, you will be working with a particular theme which integrates the different approaches to cultural analysis within the human and social sciences. You are free to choose which thematic course you would like to take. However, the chosen thematic course cannot be the same as the thematic courses you chose during your first graduate module.

Research seminar:
The research seminar offers you an insight into the research projects and the theory of science and research methodology applied. The researchers in Cultural Encounters will present current research projects within the cultural-analytical area and the research projects will be discussed at the seminar.

Project work:
In your depth module project work, you must demonstrate in-depth knowledge and competence in analysing cultural and linguistic practice. In addition to this, you must demonstrate in-depth knowledge of different aspects of the theory of science within the cultural and linguistic research area. You are free to choose the subject of your project, but you must cover at least two of the five governing angles that you have not already covered in the 1st graduate module and you must be able to disseminate the results of your project orally as well as in writing.

2nd graduate module - An MA dissertation

As you write your MA dissertation in Cultural Encounters, you refine your understanding of cultural theory and develop further your competencies in cultural analysis. You also obtain an in-depth knowledge of the different aspects of the theory of science within cultural and linguistic research.

2nd graduate module - An integrated MA dissertation

At the integrated MA dissertation module, you must demonstrate your academic insight and competencies at a scientific level in both Cultural Encounters and your other subject. Through your work with the integrated dissertation, you will refine your understanding of cultural theory and develop further your competencies in cultural analysis. You will also obtain an in-depth knowledge of the different aspects of the theory of science within cultural and linguistic research. Moreover, this module contains a dissemination course, a thematic course and a research seminar.

Dissemination course:
In this course, you will gain experience in disseminating your project results to different target groups. There will be hands-on exercises in disseminating and presenting your academic knowledge through different genres and media, orally as well as in writing.

Thematic course:
During the thematic course, you will be working with a particular theme which integrates the different approaches to cultural analysis within the human and social sciences. You are free to choose which thematic course you would like to take. However, the chosen thematic course cannot be the same as the thematic courses you chose during your first graduate module.

Research seminar:
The research seminar offers you an insight into the research projects and the theory of science and research methodology applied. The researchers in Cultural Encounters will present current research projects within the cultural-analytical area and the research projects will be discussed at the seminar.

Project work:
In the project work, you must demonstrate in-depth knowledge and competence in analysing cultural and linguistic practice. In addition to this, you must demonstrate in-depth knowledge of different aspects of the theory of science within the cultural and linguistic research area. You are free to choose the subject of your project, but you must cover at least two of the five governing angles that you have not already covered in the 1st graduate module and you must be able to disseminate the results of your project orally as well as in writing.

The 5 governing angles

During your studies (the undergraduate as well as the two graduate modules), you must cover the 5 governing angles of the study programme Cultural Encounters. See the definition of each angle below:

The cultural encounter:
Here you will study different aspects of the cultural encounter as well as grasping how cultural and linguistic phenomena interact and are affected by the encounter.

Cultural and linguistic development dynamics:
Concerning this angle, you will investigate cultural and linguistic phenomena in a time-related perspective and you will obtain an understanding of the relations between internal dynamics and external framework conditions and processes.

Socio-cultural parameters:
Here you will examine socio-cultural parameters or categories, such as e.g. language, gender, religion, age, generation, occupation, education, resource access, life style, nationality or ethnicity in order to understand the importance of these parameters in relation to the linguistic and other symbolic forms of expressing cultural and social practice and identity. You will also learn about the different research fields working with these parameters and you will see how it is possible to work theoretically and methodologically with these socio-cultural parameters.

Cultural and linguistic globalisation and localisation:
In respect to this angle, you will investigate cultural and linguistic processes of globalisation and localisation and their significance in connection with identity formation.

Theory, empirical work and method:
By exploring the interplay between theory, empirical work and method, you will learn how to organise field work, how to handle the treatment of your data and how to interpret and communicate the results. You will also reflect on the correlation between theory, empirical work and method as well as your own role in the research process.

For a more thorough explanation of the 5 governing angles, please see here