Languages and Cultures of South Asia (Master)

The master’s programme in Languages and Cultures of South Asia provides an insight into the diversity and development of the linguistic, literary, philosophical and religious traditions of South Asia throughout its history of more than three thousand years up until the present day, while also providing an overview of the correlations between these traditions. At the same time, the master’s programme also takes into account the roles of language, literature, philosophy and religion in cultural contexts, such as economy, (regional) history, politics, society, media, arts and performing arts.

Study Programme

The master’s programme consists of compulsory and alternative compulsory modules on the following subject areas: Language, literature and religion of the Vedic cultural period; aspects of the history of language, literature, religion and philosophy of South Asia; language, literature, religion and philosophy of non-Brahman traditions of pre-medieval South Asia; language, literature, religion and philosophy of classical and medieval cultural periods of South Asia; language, literature, religion and philosophy of modern South Asia; and philology and literary text hermeneutics. In addition, students have to complete elective modules from one of the following areas of specialisation: philosophies and religions of South Asia, and languages and literatures of South Asia.