As part of the humanities, the disciplines of the Faculty study the world's cultures in their linguistic dimensions, their interregional and global connections, as well as their specific diversifications. An approach – based on methodological and historical reflection – that addresses language, literature, music, as well as artefacts and media of every type, ensures a competent, creative examination of the cultural heritage, and provides the insight that enables the interpretation of present-day processes. Research and teaching at the Faculty cover a wide range of subjects, and its basic research thus contributes to the understanding of cultures and identities and provides expertise with regard to the establishment of cultural, economic and political relationships.

The range and methodological orientation of the subjects at the Faculty of Philological and Cultural Studies is unique in Austria. All disciplines take historical dimensions into account, and use methods of literature studies, linguistics, media studies and cultural studies. In the field of area studies, the socio-economic developments in Africa, Asia and Latin America are examined. With regard to the historical and cultural dimensions of texts and media, the disciplines at the Faculty closely cooperate especially with the Faculty of Historical and Cultural Studies, and with regard to the social aspects of its research, links with the social sciences have been established. In addition, the Faculty collaborates with many other actors at the University of Vienna, particularly in the areas of philosophy, education, religious and social studies, translation studies, computer science as well as cognitive and neuroscience. In the future, the Faculty aims to intensify its inter-faculty networks in the context of the digital humanities and the MediaLab.

In addition to a wide range of bachelor's and master's degree programmes, as well as a broad doctoral programme, the Faculty contributes to teacher education in many teaching subjects. It plays an active role in the implementation of the new curricula for the teacher education programmes, and is committed to the promotion of research in the field of subject didactics. In this respect, the Faculty cooperates with the Centre for Teacher Education.

Photo Credit (header): Gebhard Sengmüller