Kultur - Sprache - Medien (KSM)

Course contents and methods

The KSM concept has been in operation in Germany and Denmark as a successful, joint-study program since 1997, offering joint degrees at BA, Diploma and MA levels. The program has enabled over 300 EU and US students to complete their first or second degree. In 2005, the Institutes of English, German, Danish and the Arts at Flensburg formed the KSM research group to offer a fresh, interdisciplinary postgraduate program on the new campus (2002) of Flensburg University, Germany.

Program: Two-year, full-time post-graduate study through seminars, lectures, project, presentation and examination (ECTS: 120 credits). The KSM Masters focuses on the study of cultural modernity in Language and Literature as well as Culture and the Visual Media at the interfaces of the Baltic, North Sea and North Atlantic zones. Credits are gained by research-oriented, postgraduate study of the culture, literature, language and visual media (arts, fashion, film) of German, Scandinavian and English-speaking Atlantic countries. KSM offers the only postgraduate study program in Europe with this research constellation.

Languages of instruction

All obligatory courses and most optional courses are taught in English or German. Some optional courses may be offered in both Danish and minority languages e.g. introduction to Friesian or Low German.

Practicals & internships

One practical abroad of 10 weeks in the summer break (or two practicals totalling minimum 10 weeks, one of which is to be conducted abroad: subject to KSM Exam Board regulations)

Structure of study program

Students take 4 main seminars and a supplementary module (1 class per semester) in Cultural Management each semester over the first 3 semesters.
The program features 4 main disciplines: Culture, Literature, Language, Media.
There are obligatory courses in all 4 main disciplines for Semester 1 only. Study options in disciplines and options for progressive specialisation are offered from Semester 2 onwards: either 3 or 4 disciplines can be studied in Semester 2, and 2, 3 or 4 disciplines can be studied in Semester 3, permitting students to choose between generalist studies or increasing specialisation.

The first 3 study semesters are consecutively structured within thematic complexes across the 4 KSM disciplines offered:
1. semester: ‘Interculturality’,
2. semester: ‘Contact & Conflict’,
3. semester: ‘Self and Alterity’.
An obligatory work practical is taken during this period of study, for which various kinds of preparation will be required.

Semester 4 requires a student presentation, regular workshop or colloquium participation, and original research - individually supervised - leading to an MA thesis.

Professional prospects/outcomes

Outcomes: Students who successfully follow this primarily research-oriented program will gain understanding of North European and Transatlantic modernity; points of cultural intersection in the Scandinavian, German and English-speaking world; knowledge of the range of theoretical ideas, traditions and movements informing these fields; a grounding in the research methods and practice of cultural, literary, linguistic and visual media studies; and both professional and cross-cultural experience via a practical or internship abroad in e.g. the culture sector.
Professional Prospects: KSM graduates today work in Germany, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Britain and Ireland, the USA and Central East Europe. Postings have been in bureaux of the European Union and other international organisations, in governmental and non-governmental agencies, in European and American universities as docents, instructors and coordinators, in international charities, trades unions, education, publishing and project management as well as the culture and service sectors in Germany and Scandinavia.

Commencement of studies

WS 2009/10. Admissions only in Winter(October) Semester

Admission Deadline :- 31.08

Regular duration of study

4 Semesters

....Admissions criteria

All graduates of the SDU-BA ‘Culture and Language Mediator (KSM)’ may enter the MA without special selection procedure.