Anglistik

Welcome to the Department of English Studies!

 

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Kühlwein

*20. April 1940   ✝︎23. September 2024

The English Department of Trier University mourns the loss of Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Kühlwein, who passed away unexpectedly on 23 September 2024 at the age of 84.

Professor Kühlwein, born in 1940, was one of the first professors at the newly founded Trier University. From his appointment in 1970 until his retirement in 2005, he was Professor of English Philology (Linguistics) and during this time he not only played a key role in shaping the subject but also in the development of today's university – perhaps most prominently as Vice President of the then University of Trier-Kaiserslautern (1970-1972). His academic oeuvre shows both the breadth of his research interests in English linguistics, from Old English language and culture to applied linguistics, as well as his great commitment to international and transdisciplinary cooperation in academic culture. As a recognition of his varied activities, he received many awards, including the Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, First Class in 1981, the Medal of Honour of the University of Klagenfurt and the Order of Merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (Ordre de Mérite du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg) in 1992.

Even in retirement, Professor Kühlwein remained very closely connected to his subject and the university. We will remember him fondly as a committed and greatly valued colleague, teacher and researcher.

Profile

The Department of English Studies has four main sections: Language, Literature, Linguistics and Teaching English as a Foreign/Second Language (TEFL). All four sections are essential to the department, and all have their own staff. Students doing English Studies as a main subject (major, Hauptfach) take courses in all areas except TEFL. Students doing a subsidiary subject (minor, Nebenfach) take courses in language and literature or language and linguistics.

All sections of the Department emphasize the interaction of language and culture and all teach both British and American studies.

Language courses are all taught by expert speakers who have first-hand experience of life in an English-speaking country: they have mainly spent long periods of time living, working and/or studying in Britain and America, but also, where possible, from other parts of the English-speaking world.

Literature courses cover a broad range of literatures in English - from Britain and North America through to the literatures of postcolonial nations and anglophone diaspora communities. British and American film, television and new media also form an additional important focus. The Centre for Canadian Studies and the Trier Center for American Studies (TCAS) allow students to specialise in north American literature and culture, and to obtain an additional certificate in Canadian Studies.

Linguistics courses give special emphasis to applied linguistics. Staff have expertise in varieties of English as a world language, language teaching, sociolinguistics and computer-assisted corpus analysis. The Department has always had a strong interest and expertise in the history of English and medieval studies.

TEFL courses focus on both theoretical and practical aspects relevant for future teachers of English.

Although the number of students has rapidly increased in the last few years, the staff attempt to avoid the anonymity which students complain of at other universities. Staff  know many of their students by name and try to deal with students on an individual basis.

Study abroad. The department has partnerships with universities in other countries, where students can study under different agreements. These include universities in Great Britain, Ireland, USA, Canada and Australia (and also Greece, Hungary and Turkey). For initial information, go to the web pages of the International Office.