German and Politics

German ranks in the world’s top 20 languages. In Europe, more people speak it as their first language than any other.

Germany is also one of the most economically and politically influential countries in the European Union. As such, it is often studied from a political science perspective, making German and Politics an excellent joint honours combination.

Our programme is flexible. In Years 1 and 2, as well as studying German and Politics, you will choose option courses from a range of disciplines. You will then specialise as you progress through your honours years. When you graduate, you will have the combination of broad cultural education and specialist knowledge valued by employers worldwide.

Additionally, we are unique in Scotland in offering students a full academic year abroad within the four-year honours programme, regardless of whether you spend the year studying or working.

German

Across all four years of our programme, your studies will give you the chance to gain professional skills in all aspects of German, including:

• reading and listening

• writing and translating

• speaking and presenting

You will also explore German-language literature, film and theatre. You will study these in the context of historical and political developments, from the eighteenth century to contemporary times.

You will begin to understand how German speakers interpret the world through their language and historical context. Courses explore political issues such as:

• the legacy of the Holocaust

• migration

• minority cultures

On this programme, you will take one of the following as your first language course:

• German 1A - for beginners

• German 1B - for students with more experience of learning the language

By your final year, you will have developed the linguistic, critical and analytical skills to the standard of completing a dissertation or long essay.

Politics

Politics studies the theory and practice of how societies are governed, and asks questions such as:

• How do our political institutions create collective rules, and who has the power to make them?

• What are the consequences of political decisions?

• What is the nature of a just society, and how do we get there?

Drawing on the expertise of leading academics and researchers in the field, you will explore the origins and present-day contexts of societal conflicts about power, participation, and resources.

You will also study:

• the processes of governance at the local, national, and international levels

• the morality of political action

• the limits of freedom and justice

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme is studied over 4 years, including a year abroad. This enables us to build choice and flexibility into your studies, giving you time to explore options, find what you like and build your skills.

Your first two years will be your pre-honours years. They will give you a good grounding in your subjects. In addition to studying core courses, you will broaden your education and skill set by choosing option courses. This may enable you to change the focus of your programme.

Your final two years will be your honours years. You will spend Year 3 abroad, gaining a lived experience of German-speaking culture. Year 4 will be tailored to your interests in specific topics or approaches to German and Politics.

Programme benefits

• Learn in an historic, capital city where German has been taught for over a century.

• Study over four years, including one abroad.

• Become fluent in one of Europe's most widely spoken languages.

• Try out different subjects in your first two years.

• Join societies related to what you are studying.

• Delve into fantastic libraries and collections.