Study guide
Study guide
Questions from future students
How do I formulate a letter of motivation?
In your letter of motivation, you should show that you are able to express yourself linguistically and argue stringently, as well as that you have informed yourself about the subject and the respective degree programme at this Institute.
A good letter of motivation is characterised by linguistic precision, correct spelling and grammar and the avoidance of empty phrases. Your letter of motivation should match your CV and not get out of hand with self-praise; concrete examples are more important. Instead, explain why you are interested in the specific degree programme and what skills will enable you to study.
Information on the evaluation criteria for letters of motivation in the admissions procedure can be found in the admission regulations for your degree programme, which can be found on the university's central pages:
uol.de/studium/studienangebot/ (click through to the respective degree programme, then sub-tab Apply).
What study counselling services are available?
The Student Service Centre at the University of Oldenburg is the central point of contact for prospective students, students and graduates. Here you can clarify many questions about studying. You will find various facilities centrally located on the Haarentor campus in the new building A12 of the Student Service Centre.
You can also ask any questions regarding your degree programme at the subject-specific student advisory service. To do this, either register in Stud.IP or on the lists in front of the respective office door for the office hours of the person responsible or make an appointment.
Bachelor of Material Culture: Textiles | / | |
M.Ed. Textile Design | ||
M.A. Cultural Analyses | ||
M.A. Museum and Exhibition |
Questions about scientific work
What are the requirements for academic work?
On the one hand, the IfMK offers students a NEW guide to academic writing (with information on formatting and a suggestion for a simple bibliography):
→ To the guide
Secondly, there is an OLDER, more detailed guide to academic writing (ATTENTION: the notes on the bibliography are simpler in the orientation):
→ To the guide
Thirdly, the IfMK has a checklist for final theses: → To the checklist
Fourthly, you can find detailed tips and information on academic work on the page of our Q+Lernplattform: → To the learning platform
There are also tips for students on how to use AI tools for examinations and theses:
→ To the document
In the first semester of the BA in Material Culture: Textiles, there is a course on scientific work, which is part of the exercise "Working Methods in Material Culture".
What is documentation?
The project documentation consists of a theory-based elaboration of the project design, including a reflection/evaluation of the project implementation (including pictures, photographs, etc. documenting the process). The appendix of the documentation consists of the mediation concept/outline and, if applicable, research material on other projects, schedules and credits/exercises.
As a rule, the project documentation includes: introduction, planning steps, revised concept/changes to the concept if necessary, placement objectives, implementation, individual steps, considerations on project and self-evaluation (role as facilitator) and information on the distribution of tasks. The individual mediation levels include Course of the project days, reflection (problems, surprises, fun, power relations, assessment of working conditions, project results...) as well as an outlook (e.g. follow-up projects, parts that can be copied).
Prof Carmen Mörsch and Dr Patricia Mühr have developed guiding questions which can be helpful for the documentation.
What does reflection mean?
It is a fundamental part of cultural studies work to constantly look at the (framework) conditions of your own learning, your own approach and the resulting findings from the "outside", i.e. to think critically about processes and findings (reflection). This is why you will already learn about the need to rethink your own situation/positioning in the field and to evaluate it with regard to results from field research/participant observation/interviews or research in the first semester of the basic module.
In some modules/courses/seminars, a corresponding reflection on the process and result is explicitly expected as part of the coursework/examination.
What can be expected and assessed here (may vary depending on the course/project/module)?
- Formulating expectations of the seminar/ event/ project/ module and final review of learning processes
- Artistic and scientific methods: How did I actually proceed? How did it work? What would I do differently in retrospect? Was your research question relevant? Did the material and methods fit?
- How do you rate your results? What, if anything, did you contribute to the teamwork?
- Outline your learning outcomes. What are they possibly related to? What helped or hindered them?
- Constructive criticism of the event/seminar/module: What went well, what didn't?
How is a reflection evaluated?
- Clarity
- Differentiation
How do I write an exposé?
An exposé is written in preparation for an academic paper and requires a lot of preliminary consideration and research. The thesis should then be written on the basis of the synopsis with the agreement of the lecturer.
Example of a synopsis structure:
- Topic
- My motivation for the planned work
- A brief description of the planned work
- Questions that concern me and that I want to answer, deal with or work on
- Objectives of the work
- Sources on which I would like to base my work
- Methods with which I will work
- My research question
- A preliminary, formulated outline
- A timetable in which I would like to work on the topic
- Problems that still need to be solved
Attached is a preliminary bibliography and the preliminary outline.
What information do I have to provide in the declaration of independence or in the affidavit?
Here you will find the new form that you must attach to all written examinations:
→ To the declaration or assurance
Questions about studying
Is attendance compulsory?
We refer to the explanations of German Studies, which apply accordingly at the IMK.
What do I have to look out for so that my internship is recognised?
In your examination regulations, you will find initial information on which modules include or allow for an internship.
Students of the B.A. Material Culture, the M.A. Museum and Exhibition and the M.Ed. Textile Design must complete internships.
Students of the M.A. Cultural Analyses can complete internships and have them credited.
The requirements for the recognition of an internship and further information can be found in the respective module description in Stud.IP.
As a general rule, the institution or your work should have a certain proximity to the subject. In addition, the duration of the internship and the working hours should not fall below the requirements. Of course, you can also complete the internship abroad and have it recognised as long as the requirements of the corresponding module are met.
Detailed information on internships and career entry can be obtained from the Career Service. On the homepage you will also find information on self-disclosure regarding compulsory internships, which is required by many internship centres due to the Minimum Wage Act.
If you have any questions, please contact the Institute's Internship Officer: Dr Lüder Tietz.
How can I get credit for skills that I have acquired outside my degree programme?
There is a form for each degree programme that you can use to apply for credit transfer from other universities, for example. All (subject) examination regulations and proposals for credit transfer can be found on the university's central pages:
uol.de/studium/studienangebot/
(click through to the respective degree programme, then sub-tab Examinations). You can discuss the possibilities of credit transfer with the relevant academic advisor (see above). A Learning Agreement is required for credits from a stay abroad at a university.
Tip: For students with subject-relevant professional experience, the PLAR service provides support for the recognition of their achievements.