English and American Studies Osnabrück University

The international Master’s programme in English and American Studies offers a core curriculum of seminar and lecture courses in literary and cultural studies as well as in linguistics. In addition, there are courses in English language proficiency, and free electives in other fields and disciplines, such as history, philosophy, art history, and the social sciences. Students may opt for a specialised degree in one of three focus areas: English studies, American studies, or linguistics; alternatively they may opt for a degree in general studies, combining elements from all the three focus areas.

Literary studies are concerned with central topics, approaches, and theories pertaining to the scholarly study of literatures in English, including literary productions in specific periods (e.g. Renaissance, Romanticism, Postmodernism) as well as the changing forms and functions of literary texts over time. Participants will engage with critical discourses and broaden their existing knowledge of literary history, literary theory, and its applications. Cultural studies are concerned with cultural productions in English-speaking countries in general, and specific periods in particular (e.g. Colonialism and Postcolonialism, Gilded Age, Cold War), critically engaging with them against the backdrop of the cultural, social, and historical circumstances within which they originate. Specific areas of cultural studies in the Master’s programme include popular culture, film, digital media, and visual culture as well as gender and ethnic studies.

Focus fields in American studies also include cultural legal studies with a strong research interest in the history of narrative forms, both in law and in literature. Focus fields in English studies include from Shakespeare studies, children's literature, and young adult fiction as well as African and postcolonial literatures. There is a strong interest throughout in interdisciplinary research and study.

In English linguistics, participants will further familiarise themselves with the principles of language structure, use, and variation acquisition. They are given the opportunity to specialise in areas such as cognitive linguistics or sociolinguistics. Participants will be given the opportunity to acquaint themselves with current debates and advanced methods in linguistic research.

Specifically designed language practice courses take up topics such as essay writing, rhetoric and debating, textual analysis, translation, and creative writing. These courses will help students in enhancing their proficiency in English conversation and composition. Free electives offer a wide choice for students, enabling them to branch out from and/or specialise in English and American studies, by complementing their curriculum with courses from other disciplines, such as history, philosophy, art, and the social sciences.

Courses are taught in the form of lectures, seminars, and research project seminars with an emphasis on class discussion and research-oriented written work, both individually and in groups. All courses in the core programme are taught exclusively in English. Free electives might be taught in German. For those, we recommend a sufficient level of German proficiency, both in spoken and written German. Courses are taught in person and attendance is mandatory, since they focus on class discussion and research-oriented written work.

Since participants are expected to be well-acquainted with the basics of English and American literary and cultural studies and linguistics upon enrolment, all courses are non-consecutive and may be taken at any point during the studies. This ensures a wider range of choice at any given time for the participants on the one hand, and a self-determined, self-organised study experience on the other. Programme coordinators will assist students in selecting the courses and structuring their study plans according to their needs and interests.

Participants may choose to specialise in English studies or American cultural studies or English linguistics, according to their strengths and interests. At the conclusion of the course programme, participants are expected to write a Master's thesis in one of the three core areas or an interdisciplinary thesis, combining the core areas. In accordance with the institute's research specialisations in the fields of law and literature or cognition and poetics, for example, interdisciplinary approaches are very much encouraged in the Master's theses.

A mandatory self-organised internship during the course of studies accompanies the programme. Options for this internship include, but are not limited to, editorial offices and publishing houses, museums, theatres, libraries, or the media. Participants in the programme also frequently participate in the organisation of events and courses at the institute – e.g. summer programmes, conferences, or tutorials for undergraduates – for internship credits. Programme coordinators will assist students with selecting and organising internships suited to their needs and interests.

A mandatory self-organised internship during the course of studies accompanies the programme. Options for this internship include, but are not limited to, editorial offices and publishing houses, museums, theatres, libraries, or the media. Participants in the programme also frequently participate in the organisation of events and courses at the institute – e.g. summer programmes, conferences, or tutorials for undergraduates – for internship credits. Programme coordinators will assist students with selecting and organising internships suited to their needs and interests.

Deadline for applications for the summer semester: 15 January 

Deadline for applications for the winter semester: 15 June 

via the uni-assist website

Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree in English or American studies or a comparable degree in adjacent fields (e.g. comparative literature, media studies, cultural studies, etc.) that include a substantial portion of courses in English or American studies. Documentation of English language proficiency equivalent to C1 level is required. A letter of instruction is not sufficient for documentation of language proficiency.

Each semester, students are required to pay approx. 350 EUR as a semester fee (including free use of regional public transport services).

In order to cover personal expenses during the study programme, we recommend that students budget at least 860 EUR per month for accommodation, living, health insurance, books, and miscellaneous expenses.

Students who have completed their Bachelor's studies may be employed as student assistants.

The accommodation office of the student services ("Studentenwerk") offers modern single rooms in dormitories and helps students find private rooms and flats. The rooms must be rented for at least half a year. The cost of a single room in a student dormitory is approx. 180 to 350 EUR per month.