Luxembourg Studies
At Sheffield, Luxembourgish is an integral part of the Department of Germanic Studies. Due to the trilingual language policy of Luxembourg, Luxembourg Studies also bridges the Departments of Germanic Studies and French Studies within the School of Modern Languages and Linguistics. The Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg generously funds the Endowed Chair of Luxembourg Studies. Dr Horner is supported by a native speaker language assistant and we are the only university in the world offering undergraduate degree programmes in Luxembourg Studies as well as modules in Luxembourgish language and culture. The Luxembourg Studies programmes comprise two key areas: 1) Luxembourgish language and culture and 2) multilingualism.
Luxembourgish is one of the smallest languages of the European Union and is spoken primarily within the multilingual Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Speaking Luxembourgish alongside German, French or another modern language will broaden your horizons and sharpen your language skills. Knowledge about the country that lies at the heart of the EU and is home to one of its three capital cities will give you a real advantage on the European labour market. It will also put you in touch with a distinctive area of European culture as well as enable you to understand how multilingual societies function.
There are several degree frameworks in which you can pursue Luxembourg Studies and/or study Luxembourgish language and culture:
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Honours Degree in German with Luxembourg Studies or French with Luxembourg Studies. You spend 2/3 of your time on German or French modules, and 1/3 on the Luxembourg Studies course. In the case of German with Luxembourg Studies, you will split your Year Abroad between Germany (or Austria) and Luxembourg. In the case of French with Luxembourg Studies, you will either split your Year Abroad between France (or Canada) and Luxembourg or you may opt to spend the entire year in Luxembourg.
German with Luxembourg Studies
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Luxembourgish as part of your Single Honours Degree in German. You can study Luxembourgish up to two years as a free module within your German degree. You may choose to spend 4 months during your Year Abroad in Luxembourg.
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Luxembourgish as part of your Single Honours Degree in French. You can study Luxembourgish up to two years as a free module within your French degree. You may choose to spend 4 months during your Year Abroad in Luxembourg or you may opt to spend the entire Year Abroad in Luxembourg.
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Luxembourgish as part of your Dual Honours Degree in German and another subject. Your Luxembourgish modules will fit in as free modules within the German section of your degree.
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Luxembourgish as a minor language (20 credits) in a BA Modern Languages Degree. For a BA Modern Languages you will study two major languages and one minor Language. If you wish to study Luxembourgish, you start at Level 2 and may take another language or Introductory Linguistics for Modern Languages at Level 1. (see quick links for further details)
Whichever path you opt for, you will start with the module Introduction to Luxembourgish Language and Culture, which is offered at Level 2 but may be taken at Level 3. Students taking Luxembourg Studies degree programmes are required to start study of Luxembourgish at Level 2 and continue at Level 3. They are also are required to take the modules Germanic Languages in Social Context at Level 2 and Social Approaches to Multilingualism at Level 3. Students benefit from various activities at the Centre for Luxembourg Studies.
An annual excursion to Luxembourg is organised during the Spring Semester. Erasmus exchange with the University of Luxembourg is available for a study period during the Year Abroad and there are a limited number of work placements available in Luxembourg City.
In each year a prize has been awarded by the Luxembourg Embassy in London to the student with the best performance in Luxembourgish. Congratulations to the recipient of the 2011 Luxembourg Embassy Prize, Anna Ward.
For more information, please contact:
email : Dr. Kristine Horner