Cross-Cultural Communication (German)
Master's programme
About the program
Programme Description
Mode of Study: Full-time
Tuition Fee: AMD 750,000
Duration: 1.5 years
Qualification Awarded: MA in Philology
Programme Objectives
The programme is designed to prepare specialists in German within the field of cross-cultural communication, providing them with advanced theoretical and practical knowledge required to understand and analyse issues of intercultural communication and equipping them to apply their oral and written German language skills effectively across a range of intercultural contexts.
Programme Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the programme, graduates will be able to:
present and interpret issues and manifestations relating to German language and culture in a variety of communicative contexts;
examine the conceptual relationships among theories of cross-cultural communication, contemporary linguistics, translation studies and related disciplines in order to address cross-cultural challenges;
describe the key features of the sociopolitical, historical and cultural development of German-speaking countries;
evaluate the role of linguistic and extralinguistic factors in intercultural communication;
explain the principles governing the construction of cross-cultural texts and apply them appropriately in different contexts;
conduct independent research in cross-cultural communication theory and related areas of linguistics;
undertake practical activities—including analysis, interpretation, translation and intertextual comparative analysis—drawing on comparisons between different language cultures;
apply acquired theoretical knowledge in practice and develop it creatively;
analyse problems arising in cross-cultural communication and identify appropriate approaches and strategies for addressing them;
analyse scholarly and professional information, formulate new research aims and questions, and apply appropriate research methodologies.
Opportunities for Further Study and Career Development
Upon completion of the Master’s programme, graduates may continue their studies in Armenia or abroad, either in the same field or in related disciplines such as General Linguistics, Comparative and Typological Linguistics, Literary Studies, or German as a Foreign Language.
The Master of Arts in Philology also provides graduates with a wide range of professional opportunities, including employment at diplomatic missions of German-speaking countries, international organisations operating in German-speaking contexts, public and private-sector institutions in Armenia, cultural associations and publishing houses.
Graduates may also teach German in secondary and upper-secondary schools or deliver German-language courses at various educational institutions.
Programme Structure and Content
The programme comprises general and professional compulsory and elective courses, as well as a research component involving academic discussions, presentations and reports. The research component introduces students to research methodology and supports the development and advancement of their research skills.
The programme is designed to prepare highly qualified specialists in German language, German language culture and intercultural communication, enabling students to apply their German language knowledge and skills effectively in a variety of intercultural communication contexts.
Professional Competencies
Upon successful completion of the programme, graduates will have developed the following professional competencies:
ability to conduct scholarly research in German philology;
knowledge of related disciplines, including psychology, psycholinguistics, cross-cultural communication and translation;
ability to use information technologies effectively;
ability to prepare oral and written communications and professional documents in German;
ability to present the fundamental principles of contemporary theories of linguistics and communication;
ability to analyse professional information and draw well-founded conclusions;
knowledge of and ability to apply contemporary methods and technologies for teaching foreign languages.
Professional Internship
The professional internship is organised during the third semester and may take place at the YSU Faculty of European Languages and Communication or, depending on the requirements of the Master’s thesis, at other institutions and organisations, such as Public Radio of Armenia, international organisations and other relevant settings.
Entrance Examination
Entrance Examination Format: Oral
Entrance Examination Syllabus
Key Issues in the History and Phonetics of German
The Subject of Language History and the Periodisation of German
Forms of Existence of the German Language
The First and Second Germanic Sound Shifts
Umlaut, Ablaut and Breaking
Morphemics and Syntagmatics of Old High German, Middle High German and Early New High German
The Division of the Germanic Languages
The Subject of Phonetics: Phonetics and Phonology
The German Vowel System and Diphthongs
Classification of Consonants in German
Sentence Intonation
Recommended Reading
Stedje, A. Deutsche Sprache gestern und heute. Munich, 2006.
Behagel, O. Geschichte der deutschen Sprache. Heidelberg, 2005.
Jespersen, O. Lehrbuch für Phonetik. Stuttgart, 2001.
Gabrieljan, J. & Chanojan, N. Grundzüge der deutschen Sprachgeschichte. 2018.
Šileikaitė-Kaishauri. Einführung in die Phonetik und Phonologie des Deutschen. Vilnius, 2015.
Key Issues in Lexicology and Stylistics
The Subject and Objectives of Lexicology
Main Characteristics of the German Word
The Etymon of a Word and Causes of Etymon Obscuration
Derivation as a Means of Enriching the German Vocabulary
Classification of Affixes
Compounding and Its Types
Conversion into a New Word Class
Classification of Loanwords in German
The Subject of Stylistics: Style and the Problem of Classifying Functional Styles
Lexical and Stylistic Metaphor
Lexical and Stylistic Metonymy
Classification of Phraseological Units
Euphemisms
Colloquial Style
The Style of the Press and Journalism
Academic and Scientific Style
Literary Style
Recommended Reading
Eichinger, L. Deutsche Wortbildung. Tübingen, 2000.
Fleischer, W. Deutsche Lexikologie. Leipzig, 2009.
Sandig, B. Stilistik. Berlin, 2009.
Wirtz, E. Stilprobleme. Heidelberg, 2000.
Arakelyan, S. Lexikologie des Deutschen. Yerevan, 2017.
Key Issues in the Theory of Grammar
The Subject and Objectives of Grammar
Classification of Word Classes in German
Phrase Categories
Syntactic Functions of Phrases
Valency
Temporality in German
Grammatical Voice of the Verb in German
The Topological Model of German
Word Order and Sentence Types in German
Complex Sentences: Hypotaxis and Parataxis
Classification of Subordinate Clauses
Topological Analysis of Complex Sentences
Infinitive Structures in German
Recommended Reading
Gabrieljan, J. Theoretische Grammatik des Deutschen. Yerevan, 2017.
Bußmann, H. Lexikon der Sprachwissenschaft. Stuttgart, 2003.
Eisenberg, P. Grundriss der deutschen Grammatik. Stuttgart, 2001.
Helbig, G. & Buscha, J. Deutsche Grammatik. Leipzig, 2001.
Regional and Cultural Studies of German-Speaking Countries
Regional Studies as an Independent Discipline and as a Subdiscipline of Foreign-Language Teaching
The Emergence of the German People
The Development of the German Language
The Reformation and Martin Luther
The Frankish Kingdom and the Carolingian Dynasty
The First World War
The Second World War
The Nazi Era
Modern Culture
German-Speaking Countries
Germany’s Economy and Industry
Germany’s Political System
The Federal Republic of Germany
Austria
Switzerland
Germany’s Education System
Festivals and Public Holidays in Germany
Recommended Reading
Tatsachen über Deutschland. Frankfurt, 2006.
Matecki, U. Dreimal Deutsch. Stuttgart, 2008.
Österreichische Landeskunde. Vienna, 2001.
Armenien Landeskunde: Eine Textsammlung. Yerevan, 2007.
