This colloquium is designed for Bachelor students planning to write their BA-thesis in the field of cultural history/cultural studies. We will discuss theoretical and methodological approaches, develop outlines and structures as well as strong thesis statements in order to focus your search for information, to tackle your subject and to specify your argument. Students will be expected to present and discuss their projects in various stages of progression both in class as well as in individual monitoring sessions.
We will follow the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers.

This online lecture series, organised and run by lecturers from the universities of Münster, Paderborn, Bielefeld, Passau and Bremen deals with Global Englishes Language Teaching (GELT; Selvi, Galloway and Rose 2023), an emerging paradigm shift in English Language Teaching to promote multilingualism and awareness of the diversity of Englishes around the world, to increase exposure to this diversity and to help teacher trainees develop awareness of pedagogical implications of global spread of English, also beyond school curricula.

The massive spread and diversification of the English language, its dominance as a second/foreign language and its use as a global lingua franca has brought about a change in the foundations of how English should be taught and learned. However, in English Language Teaching (ELT) in Germany there is still an exclusive exonormative orientation towards "Standard English", i.e. British and/or American English. But setting a monolingual, inner-circle native-speaker benchmark for todays' learners, including the corresponding cultural norms, does not correspond to the linguistic reality and is therefore no longer considered appropriate in many contexts.

Preparatory readings for the individual lectures can be downloaded from here:
https://uni-muenster.sciebo.de/s/zd6roDQmyajXDag (password: GELTLecture2025)

Suggested general reading: Selvi, A.F., Galloway, N. and Rose, H. (2023) Teaching English as an International Language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/elements/teaching-english-as-an-international-language/083B560D9D34A42B66B8F9DBBD2F63C4#

This colloquium is designed for students who wish to write their B.A. or M.A. theses in the field of cultural studies of the English-Speaking world. Students will be given the opportunity to develop specific cultural studies research projects, including compelling research questions, a strong thesis statement, clear chapter outline, and a well-selected bibliography. Students will practice a number of strategies for planning, structuring and writing B.A./M.A. dissertations and also brush up their knowledge of formal requirements, such as format and layout as well as citation style etc. Students will work both individually and in smaller groups and will present work in progress in oral and written form. Module choices are Bachelor thesis module P or L and Master thesis module MA The respectively.
Prior enrolment via Stud.IP is mandatory.

„Szenisches Schreiben“
Literarischen Figuren in Dialogen, Monologe und an wechselnden Schauplätzen

In diesem Seminar entwickeln die Teilnehmer*innen Charaktere für einen Roman oder eine längere Erzählung, lassen die Figuren miteinander in Verbindung treten und in Dialog. Jede literarische Figur erhält eine Backstory, einen Lebenslauf, äußere und innere Merkmale, und in den Dialogen eine eigene Stimme.
Zudem werden die Motive für ihrer Handlungen in inneren Monologen und Betrachtungen erläutert. Die Protagonist*innen halten Zwiesprache mit sich selbst, denken, fantasieren, träumen. So erfahren die Leser*innen mehr über das Erleben der Charaktere, über ihre Gefühle, Konflikte und inneren Antriebe.
Und damit all das nicht im luftleeren Raum geschieht, werden Schauplätze kreiert und unter Einbeziehung der dort herrschenden Atmosphäre und der jeweiligen Zeit beschrieben.
So entstehen plastische Szenen, in denen die Figuren sich bewegen, sprechen und agieren, Szenen, aus denen möglicherweise eine längere Erzählung erwächst oder die in eine bereits begonnene Geschichte eingefügt werden können.

„Szenisches Schreiben“ ergänzt das Seminar „Von der Idee zum Plot“ (WiSe 24/25), ist aber auch offen für neue Teilnehmer*innen.

Im Seminar wird es eine eingehende Auseinandersetzung mit verschiedenen KI-Tools und deren Anwendungsmöglichkeiten geben. Zu Beginn wird den Teilnehmenden eine Einführung in die Funktionsweise generativer KI vermittelt, um ein grundlegendes Verständnis zu erhalten. Ein Aspekt des Seminars ist die Besprechung der aktuellen Vorgaben der Universität Bremen und des Fachbereichs zur Verwendung von KI. Dadurch soll den Studierenden Klarheit über die Richtlinien im Umgang mit KI-Tools verschafft werden.

Im praktischen Teil des Seminars wird den Teilnehmenden die Gelegenheit gegeben, verschiedene KI-Tools selbst auszuprobieren. Dazu gehören wahrscheinlich Whisper, Inciteful, ChatPDF, ChatGPT, Perplexity, Bing Copilot und Gemini. Durch diese Hands-on-Erfahrung können die Funktionalitäten und Einsatzmöglichkeiten der verschiedenen Tools von den Studierenden selbst erkundet werden. Ein wesentlicher Bestandteil des Seminars ist die kritische Diskussion der Vor- und Nachteile der verschiedenen KI-Tools sowie der Nutzung.

Die Teilnehmenden werde ihre eigenen Erfahrungen reflektieren und sich mit ihren Kommilitonen darüber auszutauschen. Durch diesen interaktiven Ansatz wird nicht nur der Wissensaustausch gefördert, sondern auch die Entwicklung einer differenzierten Sichtweise auf die Möglichkeiten und Grenzen von KI im akademischen Kontext unterstützt.

Die Prüfungsleistung ist unbenotet und besteht aus einem Reflexionsbericht (ca. 3 Seiten) und einer kurzen Gruppenpräsentation, die innerhalb der Seminarzeit vorbereitet wird.

Alle Interessierten sind herzlich willkommen und es ist kein Vorwissen im Bereich KI erforderlich. Das Seminar bietet einen niedrigschwelligen Einstieg und richtet sich sowohl an Neulinge als auch an Studierende mit Vorkenntnissen.

This lecture will provide an overview over the history of American literature through the various periods of literary and social development. The lecture will introduce students to some of the most important writers and selected texts of their oeuvre and will discuss the literary aesthetics and genres that are usually influenced by historical events. Mandatory texts to read are assigned for each lecture, from the early beginnings of American literature to contemporary times.

For the Basic module Introduction to English Literatures (Part 2), students can choose between History of British Literature and History of American Literature; students can attend both lectures if interested but have to finish one with a written exam. Students may not write the exam in both and choose the better result; students have to choose the exam beforehand.

All reading and information material will be made available through Stud.IP; hence prior enrollment via Stud.IP is mandatory.
Requirements are regular attendance, in-depth knowledge of reading material, and active class discussion. Reading the texts is mandatory.

This course offers a concise overview of British literary history from the Middle Ages to the present. Individual sessions address the majors concerns of specific literary periods, introduce students to some of the most important writers and their oeuvre in their historical context, and discuss significant socio-cultural and historical events, as well as aesthetic shifts and the developments of different genres. Excerpts (compulsory reading) are used to illustrate these shifts and period characteristics.

Required Reading:
A reader will be available on Stud.IP. The Norton Anthology of English Literature is a good investment for the entire course of your studies.

For the Basic module Introduction to English Literatures (Part 2), students can choose between History of British Literature and History of American Literature; students can attend both lectures if interested but have to finish one with a written exam. Students may not write the exam in both and choose the better result; students have to choose the exam beforehand."

In this course we will look at some key historical events that have impacted the historical development, standardisation, global expansion and diversification of the English language around the world. The course aims to help you to understand and explain how the linguistic development of the English language is related to events in the political and social history of the British Isles and beyond, and, as a future teacher, how apparent irregularities in Present-Day English which are, in many cases, remnants of earlier, regular patterns, can be explained historically. We will also examine the reasons for the the global expansion and diversification of English in various cultural contexts that has given rise to an enormous linguistic variation across English-speaking cultures around the world.

For an entertaining and insightful quick introduction see the series of short videos "The History of English in Ten Minutes" produced by the Open University: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA03075BAD88B909E

In this seminar, students get an introduction to the history of English, i.e. Old English, Middle English and Early Modern English. This class includes weekly discussions and tasks. In the second half of the seminar, we continue to study the historical events, current status of major varieties and differences of world varieties from North America, Australia to Africa and Asia with a focus on their structural and phonological features. We will follow the debates about English as a cause of language death, and talk about the place of English in language policies and language planning.

In this seminar, students get an introduction to the history of English, i.e. Old English, Middle English and Early Modern English. This class includes weekly discussions and tasks. In the second half of the seminar, we continue to study the historical events, current status of major varieties and differences of world varieties from North America, Australia to Africa and Asia with a focus on their structural and phonological features. We will follow the debates about English as a cause of language death, and talk about the place of English in language policies and language planning.

Note: This class compensates for the cancelled groups in WiSe 24/25. Therefore, those students affected by the cancellation will be prioritised in the distribution of places.

Content-Based Integrated Skills (CBIS) is the first part of the SP-2 module (“SP-2 Sprachpraxis Aufbaumodul”) to be taken in the winter semester. Culture & Communication (C&C) is taken as the second part of the module in the summer semester. The aim of both parts of the module is to prepare you final oral exam which you can take once you have completed SP-2.

Content-Based Integrated Skills (CBIS) permits students to implement all four core language skills (speaking, writing, listening, reading) while turning a theoretical challenge into a practical success. This course is designed to give you an insight into academic research, to develop the skill of critical thinking as well as providing you with the opportunity to work on your language skills. The course content revolves around English-speaking countries and cultures. Students will learn about politics, traditions, accents and histories of the countries connected to the English language or/and the Commonwealth. Each country will be critically analysed with the goal of expanding their knowledge about an “English-speaking Culture.” Students will have the opportunity to make decisions, solve problems, and at the end of the course, present the fruits of your labours as you put your own unique ideas into practice.

The aim of the Culture & Communication classes is to help you to prepare for the final SP-2 module oral exam to be taken to complete the SP-2 module.

This particular class will look at different moments which have greatly influenced events within the English-speaking world. We will investigate the processes which led to a particular event, define the event itself and explore the long-term and short-term implications that came about as a consequence. You will be required to think critically and research a topic of your own choice in detail in order to prepare for the Proficiency Interview ⇐ oral exam) at the end of the semester during which you will explain how this moment has been defining. You will also work on presentation skills and familiarise yourselves with the situation of speaking in front of others.

Materials are provided via StudIP.

The aim of the Culture & Communication classes is to help you to prepare for the final SP-2 module oral exam to be taken to complete the SP-2 module.

This particular class will look at different moments which have greatly influenced events within the English-speaking world. We will investigate the processes which led to a particular event, define the event itself and explore the long-term and short-term implications that came about as a consequence. You will be required to think critically and research a topic of your own choice in detail in order to prepare for the Proficiency Interview ⇐ oral exam) at the end of the semester during which you will explain how this moment has been defining. You will also work on presentation skills and familiarise yourselves with the situation of speaking in front of others.

Materials are provided via StudIP.

The aim of the Culture and Communication class is to help you prepare for the final SP2 module oral exam taken when you have completed the SP2 module. This class will deal with two different areas from which you will be able to develop ONE research project as the basis for your oral exam.
You will be looking at defining moments which have greatly influenced events within the English-speaking world. Your task will be to investigate the processes which led to a particular event, define the event itself and explore the long-term and short-term consequences. A critical analytic approach be will necessary as you explore the causes and implications of the topic of your choice.
In addition, we will work on improving important aspects of grammar, pronunciation, intonation as well as developing the confidence and fluency needed to successfully pass the exam. Whereas CBIS was more about collaboration and teamwork, Culture and Communication allows you to build upon the research skills developed last semester as you move forward with your own project.

The aim of the Culture and Communication class is to help you prepare for the final SP2 module oral exam taken when you have completed the SP2 module. This class will deal with two different areas from which you will be able to develop ONE research project as the basis for your oral exam.
You will be looking at defining moments which have greatly influenced events within the English-speaking world. Your task will be to investigate the processes which led to a particular event, define the event itself and explore the long-term and short-term consequences. A critical analytic approach be will necessary as you explore the causes and implications of the topic of your choice.
In addition, we will work on improving important aspects of grammar, pronunciation, intonation as well as developing the confidence and fluency needed to successfully pass the exam. Whereas CBIS was more about collaboration and teamwork, Culture and Communication allows you to build upon the research skills developed last semester as you move forward with your own project.

Note: This class compensates for the cancelled groups in WiSe 24/25. Therefore, those students affected by the cancellation will be prioritised in the distribution of places.

Content-Based Integrated Skills (CBIS) is the first part of the SP-2 module (“SP-2 Sprachpraxis Aufbaumodul”) to be taken in the winter semester. Culture & Communication (C&C) is taken as the second part of the module in the summer semester. The aim of both parts of the module is to prepare you final oral exam which you can take once you have completed SP-2.

Content-Based Integrated Skills (CBIS) permits students to implement all four core language skills (speaking, writing, listening, reading) while turning a theoretical challenge into a practical success. This course is designed to give you an insight into academic research, to develop the skill of critical thinking as well as providing you with the opportunity to work on your language skills. The course content revolves around English-speaking countries and cultures. Students will learn about politics, traditions, accents and histories of the countries connected to the English language or/and the Commonwealth. Each country will be critically analysed with the goal of expanding their knowledge about an “English-speaking Culture.” Students will have the opportunity to make decisions, solve problems, and at the end of the course, present the fruits of your labours as you put your own unique ideas into practice.

The aim of the Culture & Communication classes is to help you to prepare for the final SP-2 module oral exam to be taken to complete the SP-2 module.

This particular class will look at different moments which have greatly influenced events within the English-speaking world. We will investigate the processes which led to a particular event, define the event itself and explore the long-term and short-term implications that came about as a consequence. You will be required to think critically and research a topic of your own choice in detail in order to prepare for the Proficiency Interview ⇐ oral exam) at the end of the semester during which you will explain how this moment has been defining. You will also work on presentation skills and familiarise yourselves with the situation of speaking in front of others.

Materials are provided via StudIP.

The aim of the Culture & Communication classes is to help you to prepare for the final SP-2 module oral exam to be taken to complete the SP-2 module.

This particular class will look at different moments which have greatly influenced events within the English-speaking world. We will investigate the processes which led to a particular event, define the event itself and explore the long-term and short-term implications that came about as a consequence. You will be required to think critically and research a topic of your own choice in detail in order to prepare for the Proficiency Interview ⇐ oral exam) at the end of the semester during which you will explain how this moment has been defining. You will also work on presentation skills and familiarise yourselves with the situation of speaking in front of others.

Materials are provided via StudIP.

The aim of the Culture and Communication class is to help you prepare for the final SP2 module oral exam taken when you have completed the SP2 module. This class will deal with two different areas from which you will be able to develop ONE research project as the basis for your oral exam.
You will be looking at defining moments which have greatly influenced events within the English-speaking world. Your task will be to investigate the processes which led to a particular event, define the event itself and explore the long-term and short-term consequences. A critical analytic approach be will necessary as you explore the causes and implications of the topic of your choice.
In addition, we will work on improving important aspects of grammar, pronunciation, intonation as well as developing the confidence and fluency needed to successfully pass the exam. Whereas CBIS was more about collaboration and teamwork, Culture and Communication allows you to build upon the research skills developed last semester as you move forward with your own project.

The aim of the Culture and Communication class is to help you prepare for the final SP2 module oral exam taken when you have completed the SP2 module. This class will deal with two different areas from which you will be able to develop ONE research project as the basis for your oral exam.
You will be looking at defining moments which have greatly influenced events within the English-speaking world. Your task will be to investigate the processes which led to a particular event, define the event itself and explore the long-term and short-term consequences. A critical analytic approach be will necessary as you explore the causes and implications of the topic of your choice.
In addition, we will work on improving important aspects of grammar, pronunciation, intonation as well as developing the confidence and fluency needed to successfully pass the exam. Whereas CBIS was more about collaboration and teamwork, Culture and Communication allows you to build upon the research skills developed last semester as you move forward with your own project.

This lecture will provide an overview over the history of American literature through the various periods of literary and social development. The lecture will introduce students to some of the most important writers and selected texts of their oeuvre and will discuss the literary aesthetics and genres that are usually influenced by historical events. Mandatory texts to read are assigned for each lecture, from the early beginnings of American literature to contemporary times.

For the Basic module Introduction to English Literatures (Part 2), students can choose between History of British Literature and History of American Literature; students can attend both lectures if interested but have to finish one with a written exam. Students may not write the exam in both and choose the better result; students have to choose the exam beforehand.

All reading and information material will be made available through Stud.IP; hence prior enrollment via Stud.IP is mandatory.
Requirements are regular attendance, in-depth knowledge of reading material, and active class discussion. Reading the texts is mandatory.

This course offers a concise overview of British literary history from the Middle Ages to the present. Individual sessions address the majors concerns of specific literary periods, introduce students to some of the most important writers and their oeuvre in their historical context, and discuss significant socio-cultural and historical events, as well as aesthetic shifts and the developments of different genres. Excerpts (compulsory reading) are used to illustrate these shifts and period characteristics.

Required Reading:
A reader will be available on Stud.IP. The Norton Anthology of English Literature is a good investment for the entire course of your studies.

For the Basic module Introduction to English Literatures (Part 2), students can choose between History of British Literature and History of American Literature; students can attend both lectures if interested but have to finish one with a written exam. Students may not write the exam in both and choose the better result; students have to choose the exam beforehand."

In this course we will look at some key historical events that have impacted the historical development, standardisation, global expansion and diversification of the English language around the world. The course aims to help you to understand and explain how the linguistic development of the English language is related to events in the political and social history of the British Isles and beyond, and, as a future teacher, how apparent irregularities in Present-Day English which are, in many cases, remnants of earlier, regular patterns, can be explained historically. We will also examine the reasons for the the global expansion and diversification of English in various cultural contexts that has given rise to an enormous linguistic variation across English-speaking cultures around the world.

For an entertaining and insightful quick introduction see the series of short videos "The History of English in Ten Minutes" produced by the Open University: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA03075BAD88B909E

In this seminar, students get an introduction to the history of English, i.e. Old English, Middle English and Early Modern English. This class includes weekly discussions and tasks. In the second half of the seminar, we continue to study the historical events, current status of major varieties and differences of world varieties from North America, Australia to Africa and Asia with a focus on their structural and phonological features. We will follow the debates about English as a cause of language death, and talk about the place of English in language policies and language planning.

In this seminar, students get an introduction to the history of English, i.e. Old English, Middle English and Early Modern English. This class includes weekly discussions and tasks. In the second half of the seminar, we continue to study the historical events, current status of major varieties and differences of world varieties from North America, Australia to Africa and Asia with a focus on their structural and phonological features. We will follow the debates about English as a cause of language death, and talk about the place of English in language policies and language planning.

Note: This class compensates for the cancelled groups in WiSe 24/25. Therefore, those students affected by the cancellation will be prioritised in the distribution of places.

Content-Based Integrated Skills (CBIS) is the first part of the SP-2 module (“SP-2 Sprachpraxis Aufbaumodul”) to be taken in the winter semester. Culture & Communication (C&C) is taken as the second part of the module in the summer semester. The aim of both parts of the module is to prepare you final oral exam which you can take once you have completed SP-2.

Content-Based Integrated Skills (CBIS) permits students to implement all four core language skills (speaking, writing, listening, reading) while turning a theoretical challenge into a practical success. This course is designed to give you an insight into academic research, to develop the skill of critical thinking as well as providing you with the opportunity to work on your language skills. The course content revolves around English-speaking countries and cultures. Students will learn about politics, traditions, accents and histories of the countries connected to the English language or/and the Commonwealth. Each country will be critically analysed with the goal of expanding their knowledge about an “English-speaking Culture.” Students will have the opportunity to make decisions, solve problems, and at the end of the course, present the fruits of your labours as you put your own unique ideas into practice.

The aim of the Culture & Communication classes is to help you to prepare for the final SP-2 module oral exam to be taken to complete the SP-2 module.

This particular class will look at different moments which have greatly influenced events within the English-speaking world. We will investigate the processes which led to a particular event, define the event itself and explore the long-term and short-term implications that came about as a consequence. You will be required to think critically and research a topic of your own choice in detail in order to prepare for the Proficiency Interview ⇐ oral exam) at the end of the semester during which you will explain how this moment has been defining. You will also work on presentation skills and familiarise yourselves with the situation of speaking in front of others.

Materials are provided via StudIP.

The aim of the Culture & Communication classes is to help you to prepare for the final SP-2 module oral exam to be taken to complete the SP-2 module.

This particular class will look at different moments which have greatly influenced events within the English-speaking world. We will investigate the processes which led to a particular event, define the event itself and explore the long-term and short-term implications that came about as a consequence. You will be required to think critically and research a topic of your own choice in detail in order to prepare for the Proficiency Interview ⇐ oral exam) at the end of the semester during which you will explain how this moment has been defining. You will also work on presentation skills and familiarise yourselves with the situation of speaking in front of others.

Materials are provided via StudIP.

The aim of the Culture and Communication class is to help you prepare for the final SP2 module oral exam taken when you have completed the SP2 module. This class will deal with two different areas from which you will be able to develop ONE research project as the basis for your oral exam.
You will be looking at defining moments which have greatly influenced events within the English-speaking world. Your task will be to investigate the processes which led to a particular event, define the event itself and explore the long-term and short-term consequences. A critical analytic approach be will necessary as you explore the causes and implications of the topic of your choice.
In addition, we will work on improving important aspects of grammar, pronunciation, intonation as well as developing the confidence and fluency needed to successfully pass the exam. Whereas CBIS was more about collaboration and teamwork, Culture and Communication allows you to build upon the research skills developed last semester as you move forward with your own project.

The aim of the Culture and Communication class is to help you prepare for the final SP2 module oral exam taken when you have completed the SP2 module. This class will deal with two different areas from which you will be able to develop ONE research project as the basis for your oral exam.
You will be looking at defining moments which have greatly influenced events within the English-speaking world. Your task will be to investigate the processes which led to a particular event, define the event itself and explore the long-term and short-term consequences. A critical analytic approach be will necessary as you explore the causes and implications of the topic of your choice.
In addition, we will work on improving important aspects of grammar, pronunciation, intonation as well as developing the confidence and fluency needed to successfully pass the exam. Whereas CBIS was more about collaboration and teamwork, Culture and Communication allows you to build upon the research skills developed last semester as you move forward with your own project.

This lecture will provide an overview over the history of American literature through the various periods of literary and social development. The lecture will introduce students to some of the most important writers and selected texts of their oeuvre and will discuss the literary aesthetics and genres that are usually influenced by historical events. Mandatory texts to read are assigned for each lecture, from the early beginnings of American literature to contemporary times.

For the Basic module Introduction to English Literatures (Part 2), students can choose between History of British Literature and History of American Literature; students can attend both lectures if interested but have to finish one with a written exam. Students may not write the exam in both and choose the better result; students have to choose the exam beforehand.

All reading and information material will be made available through Stud.IP; hence prior enrollment via Stud.IP is mandatory.
Requirements are regular attendance, in-depth knowledge of reading material, and active class discussion. Reading the texts is mandatory.

This course offers a concise overview of British literary history from the Middle Ages to the present. Individual sessions address the majors concerns of specific literary periods, introduce students to some of the most important writers and their oeuvre in their historical context, and discuss significant socio-cultural and historical events, as well as aesthetic shifts and the developments of different genres. Excerpts (compulsory reading) are used to illustrate these shifts and period characteristics.

Required Reading:
A reader will be available on Stud.IP. The Norton Anthology of English Literature is a good investment for the entire course of your studies.

For the Basic module Introduction to English Literatures (Part 2), students can choose between History of British Literature and History of American Literature; students can attend both lectures if interested but have to finish one with a written exam. Students may not write the exam in both and choose the better result; students have to choose the exam beforehand."

In this course we will look at some key historical events that have impacted the historical development, standardisation, global expansion and diversification of the English language around the world. The course aims to help you to understand and explain how the linguistic development of the English language is related to events in the political and social history of the British Isles and beyond, and, as a future teacher, how apparent irregularities in Present-Day English which are, in many cases, remnants of earlier, regular patterns, can be explained historically. We will also examine the reasons for the the global expansion and diversification of English in various cultural contexts that has given rise to an enormous linguistic variation across English-speaking cultures around the world.

For an entertaining and insightful quick introduction see the series of short videos "The History of English in Ten Minutes" produced by the Open University: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA03075BAD88B909E

In this seminar, students get an introduction to the history of English, i.e. Old English, Middle English and Early Modern English. This class includes weekly discussions and tasks. In the second half of the seminar, we continue to study the historical events, current status of major varieties and differences of world varieties from North America, Australia to Africa and Asia with a focus on their structural and phonological features. We will follow the debates about English as a cause of language death, and talk about the place of English in language policies and language planning.

In this seminar, students get an introduction to the history of English, i.e. Old English, Middle English and Early Modern English. This class includes weekly discussions and tasks. In the second half of the seminar, we continue to study the historical events, current status of major varieties and differences of world varieties from North America, Australia to Africa and Asia with a focus on their structural and phonological features. We will follow the debates about English as a cause of language death, and talk about the place of English in language policies and language planning.

Note: This class compensates for the cancelled groups in WiSe 24/25. Therefore, those students affected by the cancellation will be prioritised in the distribution of places.

Content-Based Integrated Skills (CBIS) is the first part of the SP-2 module (“SP-2 Sprachpraxis Aufbaumodul”) to be taken in the winter semester. Culture & Communication (C&C) is taken as the second part of the module in the summer semester. The aim of both parts of the module is to prepare you final oral exam which you can take once you have completed SP-2.

Content-Based Integrated Skills (CBIS) permits students to implement all four core language skills (speaking, writing, listening, reading) while turning a theoretical challenge into a practical success. This course is designed to give you an insight into academic research, to develop the skill of critical thinking as well as providing you with the opportunity to work on your language skills. The course content revolves around English-speaking countries and cultures. Students will learn about politics, traditions, accents and histories of the countries connected to the English language or/and the Commonwealth. Each country will be critically analysed with the goal of expanding their knowledge about an “English-speaking Culture.” Students will have the opportunity to make decisions, solve problems, and at the end of the course, present the fruits of your labours as you put your own unique ideas into practice.

The aim of the Culture & Communication classes is to help you to prepare for the final SP-2 module oral exam to be taken to complete the SP-2 module.

This particular class will look at different moments which have greatly influenced events within the English-speaking world. We will investigate the processes which led to a particular event, define the event itself and explore the long-term and short-term implications that came about as a consequence. You will be required to think critically and research a topic of your own choice in detail in order to prepare for the Proficiency Interview ⇐ oral exam) at the end of the semester during which you will explain how this moment has been defining. You will also work on presentation skills and familiarise yourselves with the situation of speaking in front of others.

Materials are provided via StudIP.

The aim of the Culture & Communication classes is to help you to prepare for the final SP-2 module oral exam to be taken to complete the SP-2 module.

This particular class will look at different moments which have greatly influenced events within the English-speaking world. We will investigate the processes which led to a particular event, define the event itself and explore the long-term and short-term implications that came about as a consequence. You will be required to think critically and research a topic of your own choice in detail in order to prepare for the Proficiency Interview ⇐ oral exam) at the end of the semester during which you will explain how this moment has been defining. You will also work on presentation skills and familiarise yourselves with the situation of speaking in front of others.

Materials are provided via StudIP.

The aim of the Culture and Communication class is to help you prepare for the final SP2 module oral exam taken when you have completed the SP2 module. This class will deal with two different areas from which you will be able to develop ONE research project as the basis for your oral exam.
You will be looking at defining moments which have greatly influenced events within the English-speaking world. Your task will be to investigate the processes which led to a particular event, define the event itself and explore the long-term and short-term consequences. A critical analytic approach be will necessary as you explore the causes and implications of the topic of your choice.
In addition, we will work on improving important aspects of grammar, pronunciation, intonation as well as developing the confidence and fluency needed to successfully pass the exam. Whereas CBIS was more about collaboration and teamwork, Culture and Communication allows you to build upon the research skills developed last semester as you move forward with your own project.

The aim of the Culture and Communication class is to help you prepare for the final SP2 module oral exam taken when you have completed the SP2 module. This class will deal with two different areas from which you will be able to develop ONE research project as the basis for your oral exam.
You will be looking at defining moments which have greatly influenced events within the English-speaking world. Your task will be to investigate the processes which led to a particular event, define the event itself and explore the long-term and short-term consequences. A critical analytic approach be will necessary as you explore the causes and implications of the topic of your choice.
In addition, we will work on improving important aspects of grammar, pronunciation, intonation as well as developing the confidence and fluency needed to successfully pass the exam. Whereas CBIS was more about collaboration and teamwork, Culture and Communication allows you to build upon the research skills developed last semester as you move forward with your own project.

This lecture will provide an overview over the history of American literature through the various periods of literary and social development. The lecture will introduce students to some of the most important writers and selected texts of their oeuvre and will discuss the literary aesthetics and genres that are usually influenced by historical events. Mandatory texts to read are assigned for each lecture, from the early beginnings of American literature to contemporary times.

For the Basic module Introduction to English Literatures (Part 2), students can choose between History of British Literature and History of American Literature; students can attend both lectures if interested but have to finish one with a written exam. Students may not write the exam in both and choose the better result; students have to choose the exam beforehand.

All reading and information material will be made available through Stud.IP; hence prior enrollment via Stud.IP is mandatory.
Requirements are regular attendance, in-depth knowledge of reading material, and active class discussion. Reading the texts is mandatory.

This course offers a concise overview of British literary history from the Middle Ages to the present. Individual sessions address the majors concerns of specific literary periods, introduce students to some of the most important writers and their oeuvre in their historical context, and discuss significant socio-cultural and historical events, as well as aesthetic shifts and the developments of different genres. Excerpts (compulsory reading) are used to illustrate these shifts and period characteristics.

Required Reading:
A reader will be available on Stud.IP. The Norton Anthology of English Literature is a good investment for the entire course of your studies.

For the Basic module Introduction to English Literatures (Part 2), students can choose between History of British Literature and History of American Literature; students can attend both lectures if interested but have to finish one with a written exam. Students may not write the exam in both and choose the better result; students have to choose the exam beforehand."

In this course we will look at some key historical events that have impacted the historical development, standardisation, global expansion and diversification of the English language around the world. The course aims to help you to understand and explain how the linguistic development of the English language is related to events in the political and social history of the British Isles and beyond, and, as a future teacher, how apparent irregularities in Present-Day English which are, in many cases, remnants of earlier, regular patterns, can be explained historically. We will also examine the reasons for the the global expansion and diversification of English in various cultural contexts that has given rise to an enormous linguistic variation across English-speaking cultures around the world.

For an entertaining and insightful quick introduction see the series of short videos "The History of English in Ten Minutes" produced by the Open University: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA03075BAD88B909E

In this seminar, students get an introduction to the history of English, i.e. Old English, Middle English and Early Modern English. This class includes weekly discussions and tasks. In the second half of the seminar, we continue to study the historical events, current status of major varieties and differences of world varieties from North America, Australia to Africa and Asia with a focus on their structural and phonological features. We will follow the debates about English as a cause of language death, and talk about the place of English in language policies and language planning.

In this seminar, students get an introduction to the history of English, i.e. Old English, Middle English and Early Modern English. This class includes weekly discussions and tasks. In the second half of the seminar, we continue to study the historical events, current status of major varieties and differences of world varieties from North America, Australia to Africa and Asia with a focus on their structural and phonological features. We will follow the debates about English as a cause of language death, and talk about the place of English in language policies and language planning.