Recent developments in literary and linguistic research show that, while this area of research continues to focus on central humanities questions, it is making use of cognitive science theories and models, working with the aid of computers, and applying both qualitative and quantitative empirical methods.

This Master's program, taught in English, is an innovative interdisciplinary course of study linked to this current research activity in the humanities, cognitive, and technical sciences. It directly follows on from the Bachelor's course of study in Philosophy, Literary, and Linguistic Studies, providing further innovative impulses.

The program bridges the gap between theories and methods of conversation and text analysis on the one hand and the cognitive and socio-cultural conditions of literary and non-literary, linguistic, and non-verbal communication on the other. Thus, graduates gain a deeper understanding of the functions and cognitive conditions of communication in different cultural contexts. In accordance with current, empirically oriented linguistic theories, communication is understood in many different modes, which also enables the inclusion of virtual and augmented reality and brings the spatial binding of cognition and communication into view.

This course of study is characterized above all by the fact that students are not only introduced to the theories and methods of cognitive, computer-based, and empirical research in literature and linguistics, but also apply these in increasingly independent research projects.

The literary and linguistic classes are supplemented by modules from other disciplines, which students are free to choose from. This course of study structure not only reflects the idea of RWTH as an integrated interdisciplinary technical university, but also brings classical humanities and philological issues closer to scientific and technically oriented disciplines. The use of digital media and cooperative learning formats are integral components of the degree program and can be found in particular in the courses of the practical-methodological oriented modules.

The expansion of the course offerings to include modules from other subjects such as cognitive psychology, sociology, computer science, and medical neurolinguistics as well as the RWTH research area "Human - Technology - Society" is guided by the idea of integrating the advantages of being located at an excellent technical university into the specific Aachen profile of a contemporary philological course. In this way, humanities students are increasingly integrated into technical-scientific working methods and at the same time encouraged to reflect on this orientation.

Thus, this degree program at RWTH is unique in Germany and is understood as a consistent adaptation of teaching and learning to recent developments in research.

Further information can be found here .