The School of German Language and Literature was founded in 1960 and belongs to the Faculty of Philosophy of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
The School runs a four-year degree programme covering a range of scientific subjects that include linguistics, teaching, literature, German-speaking culture and translation studies, and offers its graduates the opportunity to pursue a professional career in various sectors.
The School also runs two postgraduate programmes, namely “Language and Culture in the German-Speaking Area” and “Intercultural Communication”, and participates in two Interdepartmental Postgraduate Study Programmes, which are “Conference Interpreting and Translation” and “Languages, Communication and Management of Education Services in the modern social, economic and technological environment”.
The School’s Third Cycle Studies involve the elaboration of a doctoral dissertation and lead to the acquisition of a Doctoral Degree, awarded by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
Since 2021, the School of German Language and Literature also offers the possibility of postdoctoral research.
The School offers students a range of scientific knowledge and skills that involve:
- the broad area of Linguistics, with a focus on theoretical and empirical research into linguistics,
- the broad field of Literature, with a focus on the study of texts from German literature, which are placed in their historical and cultural context, and also in the framework of the European history of ideas and literary theory in general,
- the subject of Comparative Literature, which allows them to make correlations between authors and movements beyond the boundaries of national literature, study various forms of intertextuality and the relation between texts, arts, new media and sciences,
- the teaching of German as a foreign language both in relation to conventional educational forms and through the use of digital technology, in various educational contexts and intercultural settings,
- the broad area of Translation Studies, with a focus on the theory and methodology of translation and interpretation, along with the diachronic and synchronous study of translation and interpretation practices and approaches. Furthermore, students can practice translating literary, general and specialized texts, along with both conference and community interpreting.
The School aims to foster young scientists with an excellent, in-depth knowledge of the School’s subjects. Students are motivated to acquire a strong theoretical background and use suitable methodological tools in order to conduct research at a higher level of studies and in multidisciplinary contexts. Furthermore, students develop critical thinking skills and, by linking theory to practice, nurture the skills required for them to teach in a variety of educational settings, and carry out diverse professions related to their studies at the School.
The School of German Language and Literature awards:
- Undergraduate degree after at least 8 semesters of study
- Postgraduate diploma (ΜΑ) after at least 8 months of study in the Postgraduate Programmes “Language and Culture in the German-speaking World” and "Intercultural Communication".
- Doctoral Degree (PhD)
In the framework of the present Undergraduate Study Programme, the School of German Language and Literature provides students with a Certificate of Pedagogical and Teaching Competence (OGG 2281/05-07-2017). The Certificate of Pedagogical and Teaching Competence (CPTC) is a prerequisite for those taking part in ASEP competitions and for the preparation of educator ranking lists per sector and specialization, for the purpose of being appointed or recruited in both primary and secondary education (L. 3848/2010, article 2).
The School actively participates in interdepartmental programs of postgraduate studies and in training programs in cooperation with educational institutions of the country and abroad. It has systematic cooperation with German-speaking universities and with scientists from national and foreign academic units. In the framework of the European exchange programs, there is a strong mobility of students, teachers and researchers, and high-level scholars are invited for lectures and seminars at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
