- Reflections on nationalism and nationality and how they are constructed through language, literature and culture (including tradition & memory, national aesthetics and canon formation

- Explorations of complex cultural dynamics beyond national frameworks in an increasingly globalised world (including colonialism & postcolonialism, migration & diasporas and English as a world language)

- Connecting a focus on English Studies with an interdisciplinary orientation towards other philologies, History and the Social Sciences; meeting the demands of careers requiring expertise in multi- and transnational contexts

These are among the major challenges posed by the M.A. in National and Transnational Studies: Literature – Culture – Language. This high-profile course of studies is coordinated by the English Department within the wider framework of the FB9: Philology. The English Department invites applications from students with high achievements in their previous degree.

The programme will provide an advanced understanding of theories of nationalism, transnationalism, imperialism, postcolonialism and transculturalism through taught courses and through the opportunity for students to undertake independent research. Working across a wide range of cultures, regions (e.g. Britain, North America, the Caribbean, India, Africa) and disciplines, you will explore national and transnational aspects of literature, culture and language. While the focus is on anglophone literatures and cultures and on linguistic varieties of English, a selection of modules from programmes offered in related disciplines is also available.

This MA programme is taught by specialists in literary and cultural studies and in linguistics. The instructors possess a broad range of specialisations, extending from Shakespeare to Bollywood and from Adam Smith to Zadie Smith, so that a wide scope for research towards your Master Thesis is available.

Various options for individual choice and specialisation enable students to develop precisely tailored academic and professional profiles in preparation for national and international careers in both academic and non-academic sectors.
Preparation for academic careers (e.g. via PhD study) is facilitated through this Master programme’s strong orientation towards research as well as towards recent disciplinary and theoretical developments.

Preparation for non-academic careers is facilitated through the programme’s emphasis on international perspectives, on independent study and self-organisation, as well as on transferable soft skills, e.g. with regard to group projects, work experience, advanced English-language skills, oral and written communication (incl. web presentation), and media competence. Potential non-academic employers for graduates of this Master programme include museums, festival organisation, media and publishing, advertising and public relations, consulting, international organisations, government organisations and NGOs dealing with migration, language policy or international relations, as well as multinational private businesses in various sectors.

M.A. National & Transnational Studies
English Department
Johannisstr. 12 - 20
48143 Muenster (Germany)
Tel.: +49 (251) 83-24500
Fax: +49 (251) 83-24827
Email: englsem@uni-muenster.de