American Studies MA

• Admission to the programme requires an academic degree in American studies or from another course of study that feeds into American studies teaching and research.
• Proficiency in English at the C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
• Proof that the qualification test was passed

For this degree programme, applicants must pass an aptitude test/entrance exam. You can find more information on the institute website. The faculty will check whether the above requirements have been met and then issue an official notification. This serves as proof that the candidate meets the admission requirements.

The MA in American Studies is an interdisciplinary programme taught in English that combines approaches from the humanities and social sciences. The focus of the programme is on examining society, culture, history, literature and politics in the United States and their respective positioning in international and intercultural contexts. This examination occurs on the basis of an in-depth consideration of the interdisciplinary methodology and theory of American studies.

The interdisciplinary nature of American studies is reflected in the structure of the modules. The majority are defined thematically rather than methodologically, as is usually the case elsewhere, and deal with a particular complex of topics from different specialist perspectives. To this end, Leipzig’s Institute of American Studies cooperates with experts from the fields of political science, sociology, etc. One didactic focus of the master’s programme in American Studies is project work, whether in the research seminars of the specialisation modules or in the publication project of the programme’s own key qualification module (www.aspeers.com).
The aim is to train students’ skills in the independent development and implementation of projects and to promote their linguistic and cultural competence in transatlantic thematic fields.

The programme comprises 120 ECTS credits, of which 30 credits are for compulsory modules (Methods and Theories, Graduate Colloquium, iCAN), 60 credits are for compulsory elective modules, and 30 credits are for the master’s thesis. Students complete the three compulsory modules in the first semester, becoming familiar with advanced methods and knowledge of American Studies. The modules that follow are characterised by their highly interdisciplinary design: They are related to core topics and issues of American Studies, combining courses from various disciplines and permitting space for students to pursue their own interests. The titles of the individual modules make this just as clear as the knowledge students gain in the courses:

• Cultures of Difference
• Global America
• Imagining the Past
• Immigration, Community, and Citizenship
• Media, Society, and Culture
• Myths, Narratives, Memory
• Political Cultures
• Trans-/National Spaces, Bodies, Cultures

• Students investigate the complexity of the USA from an interdisciplinary perspective, specializing in an area or discipline or by choosing modules on a particular topic.
• Practical elements such as a student publication project and the opportunity to have an internship counted for credit link the academic education with applied knowledge.
• All courses are offered with English as the language of instruction.
• A study stay abroad is recommended and can be recognised for credit.

The American Studies program prepares students for an academic career (doctorate) and for positions on the international job market, for example in the areas of cultural associations, media/journalism and communication, public relations, publishing, political and international organisations, and science and research management or adult education. Typical fields of work include:

• editorial and journalistic tasks
• copyediting, event organisation and management
• teaching language and literature courses
• translation work
• project management
• corporate consulting in regard to international relations
• tasks in foundations as well as intercultural exchange and communication

• Study regulations (SO) and examination regulations (PO), curricula and module descriptions (in German)

Course start: Winter semester
Admission restriction (NCU): no
Application period: 2 May–15 September
Application portal: AlmaWeb

Please ensure that you read and take note of the further information provided on the pages “Online application” and “Applying for a master’s programme”.

International students can find information about application periods and how to apply on the page “International”.

Options in the winter semester: 3rd semester – without restrictions on admission
Options in the summer semester: 2nd semester and 4th semester – each without restrictions on admission
Application period: 2 May–15 September for the winter semester; 1 December–15 March for the summer semester
Application portal: AlmaWeb
Special enrolment requirements: Credits form (Anrechnungsbescheid)

You can find more information on our page for “Applying for higher semesters of study”.

International students can find information about application periods and how to apply on the page “International”.

An aptitude test/entrance exam is required for the first semester of this degree programme. Please go to the institute’s webpage to find information about the registration process for the aptitude test/entrance exam and the deadlines that apply! The application for the degree programme must be submitted separately to the registration for the aptitude test/entrance exam.

Compulsory curriculum in English