Ethics of Textual Cultures
Ethics of Textual Cultures (M.A.)
The Ethics of Textual Cultures degree program reflects on the multi-layered interconnections of ethics, textuality, and culture in past and present, theory and lifeworld. Explore the ethical dimension of texts from a variety of fields and genres, as well as the linguistic shape and rhetoric of historical and contemporary ethical beliefs and judgments. Become part of this interdisciplinary journey in Erlangen and Augsburg, where renowned subjects such as literary studies, linguistics, theology, and political science come together.
- Degree
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Duration of studies in semester
- 4
- Start of degree program
- Summer semester, Winter semester
- Study location
- Erlangen
- Number of students
- 1-50
- Subject group
- Language and Cultural Studies
- Special ways to study
- Elite degree programs
- Teaching language
- completely in German
- Admission Requirements
- Qualification assessment
What is the degree program about?
“Ethics of Textual Cultures” is an innovative degree program that combines literature and linguistics, cultural history, theology, philosophy, and political science. It reflects on the manifold entanglements of ethics, textuality and culture in the past and present, theory and lifeworld.
“Ethics of Textual Cultures” inquires into the ethical dimension of texts from a wide variety of fields and genres. But also about the linguistic dimension of ethics, about the linguistic form and rhetoric of historical as well as current ethical convictions and judgements.
In Erlangen, the following subjects are involved:
- Modern German Literature
- German Linguistics
- Protestant Theology
- Philosophy
- American Studies
- Political Science
In Augsburg, the following subjects are involved:
- Modern German Literature
- English Linguistics
- American Studies
- European Cultural History
- Protestant Theology
- Political Science
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Ethics of Text Cultures is a modularized degree program leading to a master’s degree in four semesters. Focal points include “History and Theory of Ethics,” “Normativity and Narrativity,” and “Aspects of the Formation of Norms in Language, Communication, and Media Studies.” Students choose one of the two study sites, which are networked through workshops and faculty exchanges.
Module 1: History and Theory of Ethics
- Mediation of historical and systematic basics of ethical questions in philosophy and theology
- Ethics and aesthetics
- Discourse-analytical aspects of the linguistic constitution of ethical processes.
Module 2: Hermeneutics and foreign understanding- Interdependence of understanding texts and cultures through encounter with the Other
- History of theological, philosophical and literary hermeneutics
- Theories of understanding in linguistic pragmatics
- Philosophy of alterity
- Theories of cultural transfer or interculturality.
Module 3: Narrativity and Normativity
- Relationship between narrative (in the literary as well as theological field) and ethical responsibility (narratological, historiographical, philosophical approaches)
- History of narrative as normative cultural practice (e.g., narrative as critique, as imaginative counterdiscourse, as reintegrative interdiscourse)
Module 4: Theories of canon and value formation.
- Aspects of the historical change of values of cultural settings, of exclusions and discourse formations
- Norm and canon formation in cultural memory
- Theories of literary value and canon formation, decanonization and recanonization
Module 5: Aspects of norm formation in language, communication and media studies
- Cultural-historical and linguistic pragmatics of the genesis of meaning and impact strategies of texts
- Strategies of ethical setting in communicative and medial contexts; performative aspects of oral communication
- Formation of norms in the horizon of medial change (orality/writtenness)
Module 6: Rhetoric of public writing and speaking
- Textuality of ethics in light of rhetorical strategies; norm-building strategies in the context of changing historical discourse formations.
- Rhetoricity/mediality/performativity/discursivity: theoretical-systematic justification of concepts
Module 6: Rhetoric of public writing and speaking
- e.g. environmental ethics; sexual ethics
- Peace and conflict studies
- Education and social policy
- Culture and intercultural communication
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The degree program “Ethics of Textual Cultures” is aimed at committed students with an interest in ethical issues and a curiosity to transcend well-rehearsed subject boundaries.
It offers a challenging qualification for all those who want to deal scientifically with the interpretation and communication of texts or with ethical questions, who want to deal with questions of ethics in public life and who want to take responsibility in our society.
At a time when ethical challenges within and between cultures are particularly pressing, the degree program “Ethics of Textual Cultures” aims to impart basic competencies for dealing with ethical problems in a differentiated manner.
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- Admission requirements (first semester)
- Qualification assessment
- Application deadline winter semester
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01.08.
- Application deadline summer semester
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15.02.
- Content-related admission requirements
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- A Bachelor’s degree or at least 140 ECTS (proven via Transcript of Records).
- A good command of English, which enables successful participation in English-language courses, is desirable.
- For applicants whose study qualification was not acquired at a German-speaking institution, proof of the C1 level is required.
- In addition, applicants must pass an interview.
Language skills
- German language skills for international applicants
- DSH 2 or equivalent
Do you need help or more information?
Our Student Advice and Career Service (IBZ) is the central point of contact for all questions about studying and starting a degree programme. Our Student Service Centres and subject advisors support you in planning your studies.