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 or those with limited experience of learning the language
German 1B - for students with a high level of competency in German
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
Programme benefits
Study over four years, giving you the choice and flexibility to try out different things.
Go abroad for the first of your honours years - Year 3.
Build up to fluency in one of Europe's most widely spoken languages, and specialise in different aspects of German studies and Politics as you move through your degree.
Learn in an historic, capital city where we have taught German for over a century.
Explore fantastic libraries, collections and galleries at the University and in the city.
Join societies, attend events, and gain the skills and confidence for life after university.
1
2
3
4
5
