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There are few to no offerings in German distance universities for the humanities. Humanities simply do not "add up," especially not for private universities. Nevertheless, at the state-run FernUni Hagen, there are some courses available for those interested in history, philosophy, and literature. Furthermore, the private Hochschule Fresenius offers a Master's program in Philosophy.
In addition, there is a larger offering of humanities online courses in the English-speaking world. Therefore, alongside the few courses at German universities, I will also introduce some English-language distance learning courses at universities in other countries.
All distance learning courses in the field of humanities
We have a total of 12 courses in the field of Humanities.
Cultural Studies
- University of Hagen
- 6 Semester
- German
The degree programme Cultural Studies at the public FernUni Hagen provides basic knowledge in the humanities and allows for the choice of one of the three specialist areas: History, Literary …
History of Europe - Epochs, Turning Points, Interconnections
- University of Hagen
- 4 Semester
- German
At the FernUniversität in Hagen, this Master's programme in the History of Europe is offered. It provides students with the opportunity to engage in a detailed study of European history. …
Philosophy - Philosophy in the European Context
- University of Hagen
- 4 Semester
- German
This master's programme in philosophy is designed to provide advanced knowledge and skills in the field of philosophy. Students have the opportunity to specialise in various philosophical areas and deepen …
Library and Information Science
- Humboldt University of Berlin
- 4 Semester
- German
- Fields of action and services, inventory development, inventory development, inventory mediation, information production and dissemination, management…
Archival Science
- University of Applied Sciences Potsdam
- 6 Semester
- Potsdam
- German
- Information and Society, Methods of Archival Science, Archival Typology and History, Archive Management, Records Management, Access in Archives, Archi…
Historical sciences
- FernUni Switzerland
- 9 Semester
- German
- Introduction to the history of the 19th century, Introduction to the history of the 20th century, Methods of historical sciences, Historiography, Poli…
German as a foreign language
- Philipps University of Marburg
- 4 Semester
- German
- Basic knowledge German as a foreign language, grammar teaching, foreign language didactics basic module, country and culture studies didactics, resear…
Recent German literature in the media-cultural context
- University of Hagen
- 4 Semester
- German
The FernUniversität in Hagen offers a Master's programme in Modern German Literature, aimed at graduates of a relevant Bachelor's programme. In this programme, students have the opportunity to deepen their …
Philosophy & Economics
- Fresenius University of Applied Sciences
- 4 Semester
- German
With this unique interdisciplinary distance learning programme, you will further your education to become a generalist. You will learn, for example, to consider professional issues from different perspectives and thus …
Applied Linguistics
- IU International University
- 6 Semester
- German
The Bachelor's programme in Applied German Studies at IU International University provides you with comprehensive knowledge in linguistics and literary studies. You will learn how to combine theoretical knowledge with …
German as a foreign and second language
- CEC Saar
- 6 Semester
- German
- Reading List, Linguistic Foundations, German as a Foreign Language (GFL) / German as a Second Language (GSL) in Education, Teaching Practice GFL/GSL, …
Distance Learning in Philosophy – Available Options
Currently, there is no Bachelor's distance learning program in Philosophy in Germany. However, those interested in pursuing a Bachelor's in Philosophy via distance learning can enroll in the online program at the British University of London – with a tuition fee of €7613, the program is relatively affordable.
Apart from that, the state-run FernUniversität Hagen offers the opportunity to major in Philosophy as part of their B.A. Cultural Studies. Here are the study contents of an ideal course progression with a major in Philosophy and a minor in History:
- 1st Semester: Cultural Studies Fundamentals, Introduction to Theoretical Philosophy
- 2nd Semester: Introduction to Practical Philosophy, Political Cultural and Social History
- 3rd Semester: Practical Cultural Philosophy, Theoretical Cultural Philosophy
- 4th Semester: Social Philosophy, History of Written Culture
- 5th Semester: Philosophy of Economics, Cultural Spaces and Boundaries
- 6th Semester: Digital Humanities, B.A. Thesis
Furthermore, there are currently 2 Philosophy Master's programs in Germany: the M.A. Philosophy – Philosophy in the European Context at FernUni Hagen and the M.A. Philosophy & Economics at Hochschule Fresenius.
Hochschule Fresenius is a private, state-recognized University of Applied Sciences. Since 2021, it has been offering its M.A. Philosophy & Economics as a distance learning program. Here are the study contents of the Master's program:
- 1st Semester: Introduction to Philosophy, Introduction to Sociology, Research Methods and Tools, Introduction to Political Theory, Value-Oriented Corporate Management, Change Management and Digital Leadership
- 2nd Semester: History of Ideas, Individual and Society, Political History of Ideas, Social Orders and Economic Systems, (Virtual) Work and Leadership in an International Context, Elective Subject
- 3rd Semester: Ethics, Justice and Social Participation, Changing Societies, Politics in the 21st Century, Globalization and Economization, Elective Subject
- 4th Semester: Elective Subject, Master Colloquium, Master's Thesis
The university offers these modules as elective subjects: "Cultural Turns" in Image and Language, Intercultural Psychology, Education, Ethics and Sustainability, Decision Theories and Behavior, Media in an Interdisciplinary Context, Culture(s) – Traditional, Global, Networked.
In addition to FernUni Hagen and Hochschule Fresenius, there are other opportunities to study Philosophy online and while working: specifically at foreign universities or in the UK. Programs are offered by the UK's Open University and the University of London.
Here is an overview of all Philosophy distance learning courses:
| Course | University | Duration | Course contents | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cultural Studies, Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | University of Hagen | 6 Semester | Cultural Studies Foundations, History: (History and Culture: An Introduction, History of Written Culture, History and Anthropology: Premodern Life Wor… | from 2229 € total | |
| Philosophy - Philosophy in the European Context, Master of Arts Distance learning program | University of Hagen | 4 Semester | Introduction to Theoretical Philosophy, Foundations of Practical Philosophy, Questions of Principles, Philosophy of Culture, Historical Foundations of… | from 1431 € total | |
| Philosophy & Economics, Master of Arts Distance learning program | Fresenius University of Applied Sciences | 4 Semester | Philosophy, Sociology, Scientific Work, Political Theories, Economics, Management; Electives: Cultural Turns in Image and Language, Intercultural Psyc… | from 11880 € total from 295 € monthly |
Distance Learning in History: Overview of Opportunities
Currently, there is no Bachelor's distance learning program in History in Germany. However, at FernUni Hagen, you can study Cultural Studies with History as your major. Additionally, FernUni Hagen offers a Master's program in History.
However, a Bachelor's distance learning program in History is offered by the Swiss distance university Universitäre Fernstudien Schweiz. German participants are required to have a general university entrance qualification. The program lasts 9 semesters and includes a total of 18 modules. Study contents:
- 1st Semester: Introduction to 19th-Century History, Introduction to 20th-Century History
- 2nd Semester: Methods of Historical Sciences, Historiography
- 3rd Semester: Political History, Political Science
- 4th Semester: History of International Relations, Law - Constitutional Law I, Law - Introduction to Law, Law - Criminal Law General Part
- 5th Semester: Social History, Sociology
- 6th Semester: Economic History, Economics - Corporate Governance & Management
- 7th Semester: Cultural History, Religious Studies
- 8th Semester: Media History, Media and Communication Studies
- 9th Semester: Preparation of the Bachelor's Thesis and Colloquium, Writing the Bachelor's Thesis
Additionally, a Bachelor's in History is also offered at British universities, such as the Open University in the UK. The University of Leicester in the UK also offers Bachelor's and Master's programs in Archaeology as online studies.
Here is an overview of all History programs:
| Course | University | Duration | Course contents | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cultural Studies, Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | University of Hagen | 6 Semester | Cultural Studies Foundations, History: (History and Culture: An Introduction, History of Written Culture, History and Anthropology: Premodern Life Wor… | from 2229 € total | |
| Historical sciences, Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | FernUni Switzerland | 9 Semester | Introduction to the history of the 19th century, Introduction to the history of the 20th century, Methods of historical sciences, Historiography, Poli… | from 12492 € total | |
| History of Europe - Epochs, Turning Points, Interconnections, Master of Arts Distance learning program | University of Hagen | 4 Semester | Introduction to the study programme "History of Europe - epochs, transformations, entanglements", epochs and structures, transformations and openings,… | from 1431 € total |
Distance Learning in Literary Studies: Overview of Programs
Currently, there are no Bachelor's programs in Literary Studies in Germany organized as distance learning. However, at the state-run FernUni Hagen, you can choose Literature as your major in the B.A. Cultural Studies. In addition to other modules of the program, students will work on modules like Introduction to Literary Studies, Culture, Literature and Media, Literary Anthropology, Literature and Cultural Difference, Textuality of Culture, and Literature as Cultural Memory.
Literary programs are also offered at the British Open University.
For those interested in a Master's in Literature, it is currently available at FernUni Hagen. The Master's in Modern German Literature in the Context of Media Culture lasts 4 semesters in full-time studies and includes these study contents:
- 1st Semester: Basics of Literary Studies, Literature and Media: Theoretical Aspects
- 2nd Semester: Cultural Perspectives of Literary Studies, Media and Literary Institutions
- 3rd Semester: Literature and Narrative, Literature and Performance
- 4th Semester: Literature and Modernity around and after 1900, Master's Thesis
In addition, IU International University has been offering a Bachelor's in Applied German Studies for some time. The degree can be completed in 6 semesters (full-time) or in part-time models. Study contents include the German language, Literary Studies, and practical specializations such as Media and Communication or innovative technologies. The costs amount to 249 EUR per month, with total costs of approximately 14,343 EUR. Admission requirements are the German Abitur, Fachabitur, or an equivalent qualification. Graduates can work as language experts, journalists, or literary scholars in various industries.
Here is an overview of all Literary Studies programs:
| Course | University | Duration | Course contents | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Linguistics, Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | IU International University | 6 Semester | Foundations of German Linguistics, Foundations of Older German Literature and Language, Foundations of Modern German Literary Studies, Introduction to… | from 14343 € total from 249 € monthly | |
| Cultural Studies, Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | University of Hagen | 6 Semester | Cultural Studies Foundations, History: (History and Culture: An Introduction, History of Written Culture, History and Anthropology: Premodern Life Wor… | from 2229 € total | |
| Recent German literature in the media-cultural context, Master of Arts Distance learning program | University of Hagen | 4 Semester | Foundations of Literary Studies, Literature and Media: Theoretical Aspects, Cultural Perspectives in Literary Studies, Media and Literary Institutions… | from 1431 € total |
About the Author Christian Wolf
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