In this Master's programme, we impart perspectives of cultural studies in a psychoanalytical framework and thereby use the psychoanalytical expertise of the IPU in order to make it productive for exploring cultural phenomena and processes. Culturally heterogeneous ideas, beliefs or forms of knowledge can thus be analysed as well as material outgrowths (e.g. media products, film, exhibitions, everyday objects or spatial structures).
Since Freud, psychoanalysis has not been determined by the "material" it deals with, but by "the technology with which it works" (Freud, 1916-17) and has thus from the outset also been related to questions of cultural studies. Of course, this does not mean "putting the artist on the couch" or seeking the Oedipus conflict in every film. Rather, it is a matter of paying attention to the "unheard of". This means, for example, not to prematurely resolve the irritations and contradictions that arise in the contemplation of cultural phenomena, but to take them seriously and place them as a starting point at the beginning of reflection.
The reflective person becomes part of this process. In the individual classes, you will therefore also examine and explore your own working methods and thought processes. Just as the analytical attitude can become productive for cultural studies, the latter in turn offers the possibility critically questioning psychoanalytical concepts as well. In this way, for example, gender relations and structures of desire can be rethought.
Hence we apply a double focus: psychoanalytical approaches are as indispensable a part of cultural studies as cultural questions are constitutive for psychoanalytical thinking. The course opens up these relationships for you and offers a unique level of analysis.
For questions about the organisation of the studies
Katja Overmann
Stromstr. 3b - Room 0.42
Tel.: +49 30 300 117-562
- Examination Office M.A. Cultural Studies
- questions about studies, course of studies
- lecturer support
- prospective student consultation
On site and phone office hours in the winter semester 2024/25 ( 14.10.2024 - 08.02.2025)
thursdays 11-12 pm and by appointment
Questions about application
Marius Digel
Tel.: +49 30 300 117-543
Victoria Shefer
Tel.: +49 30 300 117-547
Stromstr. 3b - Room 0.40/0.39
| Head | Dr. Sonja Witte (substitute) |
| Degree | Master of Arts |
| Type | Part-time, extra-occupational |
| Credits | 120 credit points |
| Duration | 8 semesters |
| Number of students | approx. 15 |
| Teaching formats | Lecture, seminar, workshop, study projects, "relocation” |
| Teaching language | German |
| Prerequisite | Previous degree (e.g. cultural sciences, humanities or social sciences) |
| Cost | payment per semester € 1.800, monthly € 320 or in advance € 12.900. |
| Start of studies | Summer and winter semesters |
The Master's programme in Cultural Studies is offered on a part-time basis and can be completed extra-occupationally. Teaching takes place on four weekends and one block week per semester. The block week can be recognised as educational leave depending on the federal state.
The study programme comprises 8 semesters (120 credit points) and is divided into two consecutive study sections:
- Core studies (6 semesters, 90 credit points)
- Postgraduate Studies/Master Thesis (2 semesters, 30 credit points)
The study can begin any semester. During your studies you will be taught cultural theory and psychoanalytical concepts as well as general approaches to specific subjects.
The contents of the course include reflections on
- Cultural Production/Artefacts
- Media culture
- Knowledge and memory cultures
- Everyday worlds
- Dimensions of the difference
- Social relations and transformations
At the IPU you will study cultural sciences through various forms of teaching and learning. In addition to the classic lecture formats, you will also work in study projects and with "relocations" to Berlin’s cultural institutions (e.g. museums).
This programme has been discontinued and new applications are no longer being accepted.
You can choose between three different forms of payment for the part-time Master's programme (eight semesters, incl. Master's thesis):
- Monthly € 320,
- per semester €1,800
- the total tuition fee in advance € 12,900.
Tuition fees and expenses associated with the studies are tax-deductible.
The IPU participates in the Deutschlandstipendium programme, a scholarship programme funded by the German government and open to applications from all students. The most important criteria for receiving this scholarship of € 300 per month are previous performance, social commitment and a possible financial need.
And most recently in 2019, the IPU has become a member of the Studentische Darlehenskasse Berlin e.V. (DAKA). This means, that as an IPU student you get a loan with some of the best conditions in Berlin.
You can find current financing options here.
- Dipl.-Soz.päd. Melanie Babenhauserheide
- Dr. Pradeep Chakkarath
- Prof. Dr. Lars Distelhorst
- Prof. Dr. phil. Angelika Ebrecht-Laermann
- Prof. Dr. phil. Insa Härtel
- PD Dr. phil. Carsten Junker
- Charlie Kaufhold
- Dr. Margrit Kaufmann
- Prof. Dr. phil. Christine Kirchhoff
- Dipl.-Päd. Julia König
- Prof. Dr. phil. Susanne Lanwerd
- Prof. Dr. phil. Elfriede Löchel
- apl. Prof. Dr. Michael Mayer
- Prof. Dr. Karl-Josef Pazzini
- Victoria Preis M.A.
- Dr. phil. Ute Siebert
- Dr. phil. Jan van Loh
- Dr. phil. Sebastian Winter
- Dr. phil. Sonja Witte