Program Description

Within the MA in North American Studies, students do advanced academic work and may choose individual areas of specialization in literary, cultural, and media studies. The degree program prepares students for positions in journalism, in public service, or in other cultural institutions. Graduates are specifically qualified for careers in transatlantic contexts. Additionally, students planning to pursue further academic work on the PhD level benefit from the strong focus on scholarly methodologies and the writing of extensive research papers.

Program Structure

Students need to complete 42 credits in North American Studies. 26 credits derive from the core curriculum, while 16 credits are obtained through interdisciplinary electives. As part of the core curriculum, students first complete two modules on American literature and culture, as well as media studies. Additionally, they select two interdisciplinary modules from other cooperating programs of study. At the end of their studies, students will research and write a final thesis. Work on this scholarly project is done during or after a concluding module.

Main research areas in Gottingen include American literary and cultural history (especially colonial culture and the American Enlightenment; as well as 20th/21st century), popular culture, (American) media history and theory, material culture, visual culture.

The MA program is closely linked to various research projects, which gives students the opportunity to participate in guest lectures and colloquia and to organize student conferences and workshops. Studying on the MA level therefore entails first-hand experience with the approaches and conventions of a distinct scholarly discipline. The American Studies division of the English Department is furthermore involved in several interdisciplinary collaborations and projects with external funding. The various scholarly activities resulting from these networks are often integrated into the advanced courses on the Master’s level.

Career Options

North American Studies graduates often choose one of the following career paths: academic careers in universities and other institutions of higher education, careers in business (e.g. transatlantic trade), editors at publishing houses, journalism, public service, government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs).