Master of Arts in Linguistics and Literature
What is the MA in Linguistics and Literature ?
The Master of Arts in Linguistics and Literature aims to provide an in-depth study of one or two languages and the development of research skills in linguistics and literary studies.
What does the course look like?
The programme offers specialized, research-driven courses in the linguistic and literary analysis of one or two languages. There is also room for elective courses. A third of the programme consists of a master’s thesis. Students can choose in which discipline and language they will conduct their research.
What are the aims of the course?
- Advanced proficiency in one or two languages
- Advanced insight in theories and methodologies of linguistics and literary studies
- Advanced research skills and writing
Why study Linguistics and Literature at Ghent University?
Students can choose to study one or two languages from a set of nine. There is ample room for an individual specialization in linguistics or literary studies with an equal balance between historical/diachronic and contemporary/synchronic approaches to language and literature. Different educational methods are used in order to acquire competences in knowledge acquisition, language proficiency, critical insight and research skills.
What are the central research themes in line with the course?
Linguistics
Traditionally, Linguistics at Ghent University has had a broad research focus, covering a wide spectrum of topics ranging from historical linguistics (Indo-European, Greek and Latin, Romance and Germanic languages), dialectology, lexicology, lexicography, the study of the grammar of several languages, to sociolinguistics, pragmatics and interaction. However, there has always been a special interest in comparative research and variational linguistics. This includes the comparison of linguistic structures, variation and processes in the different languages taught in the BA and MA programmes and the comparison of different linguistic theories, methods and frameworks.
Literature
Our members conduct research into a wide range of literatures in modern and old languages. Members of the department collaborate in often interdisciplinary UGent research groups. Our research is moreover embedded in interuniversity research communities such as GOLIATH and OLITH, strategic partnerships like U4 (Ghent – Gottingen – Uppsala – Groningen), and in academic networks such as ENN, ESSE, MLA, Esprit, IVG, GSA, the American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies, Research Society for Victorian Periodicals and the International Society for Cultural History.