German & Japanese – (M.A.)

MML is for academically ambitious students who wish to maximise the depth and breadth of their expertise in two language areas, and to develop their research skills beyond undergraduate level.
The first two years are identical to the BA, but are followed by two years of highly specialised study (the equivalent of the final year at BA). These two years include M-level training in research methods and critical concepts. Students complete two M-level dissertations, one in each language.
The programme involves four years of study in Manchester, with a range of options on the period of time spent abroad (minimum of 8 weeks in each country) representing a unique opportunity to make the most of your Modern Languages degree.
MML German and Japanese gives you a comprehensive grounding in German language, literature, culture, history and linguistics. It enables you to become proficient enough in German to live and work effectively in a German-speaking environment.
You will also develop a firm grounding in the Japanese language along with understandings of Japan in historical, cultural social and global contexts.
Core German language courses at all levels of study are complemented by a variety of other subject areas, and by a period spent in a German-speaking country. We have specialists in an unusually wide range of German-related subjects, so that you can focus on subjects that really appeal to you in your final year of study.
Students will be studying Japanese throughout the course. The core language teaching enables you to develop various linguistic skills: speaking and writing accurately; understanding and analysing audio, video and written materials; using different registers; speaking to a group with confidence; and translating with appropriate sensitivity.
Students follow a Japanese Studies curriculum through which they will learn about Japan-related topics in historical, linguistic, cultural, religious and other contexts, drawing on the wide range of research carried out by staff in Japanese Studies.
Applicants should be aware that learning Japanese is very intensive and that a great deal of time is required for this throughout the course (extending through the summer period between years one and two, particularly for beginners). The first few weeks may be particularly intensive for those who have not encountered Japanese script and we strongly advise all applicants to ensure that they have learned at least the hiragana script prior to Week One of teaching; guidance on materials to help with this can be obtained from language tutors.
Further Information
Detailed information on modules and course structures is available in our course handbooks