American Studies (MA) University of Tübingen

Our two-year Master's programme in American Studies offers comprehensive training in the methods and theories of American Studies as well as multifaceted knowledge and insights into the literatures, cultures, history, and society of the United States. The wide variety of courses in the programme ranges from those on America's colonial past and early literary culture to those covering contemporary themes in race, class, gender, religious, ethnic, and regional studies. Students in the MA programme in American Studies are particularly flexible in their course choices, allowing for a broad overview as well as the development of expertise in a particular field of interest. Furthermore, we are proud to offer students an interdisciplinary curriculum that emphasises student autonomy, academic collaboration, and exchange.

The four cornerstones of our MA programme are:

• American Literature and Culture
• Interdisciplinary Profile
• Research
• Practice

An introductory module enables students from different backgrounds to create a common body of knowledge about state-of-the-art American Studies and a fresh set of research and writing skills. In the core curriculum of American Literary and Cultural Studies, students will further get to know and apply the fundamental theoretical framework of American Studies. Each year, our department welcomes esteemed guest professors from international universities. Teaching lectures and seminars, our guests bring new and innovative research and perspectives to our American Studies students.

Each student attends courses at other departments or faculties, thereby creating their own unique academic profiles. In addition, students can introduce and discuss their MA thesis projects in a colloquium comprising faculty, guests, and fellow students. Finally, the programme emphasises professional experience and offers students an opportunity for applied American Studies as part of the regular coursework. Students may, for instance, help organise exhibitions, festivals, or workshops or be tutors. We encourage students to pursue practical skills and internships outside academia to further prepare them for their future professions. After graduation, job opportunities may be found in academia, journalism, publishing, public relations, consulting, international organisations, new media, public administration, etc.

The MA in American Studies is a two-year programme, starting in the summer or winter semester. For practical reasons, beginning in the winter semester is recommended.

First Year

In the core curriculum, students focus on American literature and culture. The "Central Concepts and Competences" module (12 ECTS) introduces incoming students from diverse cultural and academic backgrounds to concepts and skills used in research at the department. This introductory module also includes a graduate academic writing class in which students develop advanced strategies for independent research and writing. In three additional 12-ECTS modules, students may choose from a wide range of topics related to North America and gain an advanced understanding of key concepts and theories in American Studies. Students engage in the in-depth analysis of significant developments in American literature and culture. One of these core curriculum modules, "Historical Dimensions in Literature and Culture," addresses historical dimensions and trajectories in American Studies.

Second Year

In their second year of study, the "Special Topics in American Literature and Culture" module (12 ECTS) allows students to specialise in a topic of their choice, which gives them additional foundational knowledge for their MA theses. The "Academic Skills: Colloquium & Workshop" module (6 ECTS each) prepares students for the MA thesis. In the Research Colloquium, students will participate in discussions with faculty and PhD students and will present their own research for the MA thesis. The final module (30 ECTS) consists of the MA thesis and an oral exam.

The "Interdisciplinary Profile" (12 ECTS) and "Practice and Applications" (12 ECTS) modules may be taken flexibly in the first and second years of study. The "Interdisciplinary Profile" module allows students to take courses outside the core curriculum and develop their individual profiles. In the "Practice and Applications" module, students gain experience in applied American Studies. Furthermore, they may focus on transferring into various professions by doing an internship outside academia. Students considering a PhD in American Studies may obtain more research- and academia-oriented experience, e.g. by being a tutor.

The "Practices and Applications" module offers the opportunity for an internship outside of academia or for teaching a tutorial.

Applicants must have completed a Bachelor’s degree in English or American Studies (or an equivalent Bachelor’s degree in a closely related field) with a final grade of 2.5 or better and have English language proficiency at a strong C1 level.

Each applicant must submit the following:

• a curriculum vitae
• a letter of motivation
• a writing sample
• a language certificate demonstrating proficiency at a strong C1 level (see below)

Enrolment fees at the University of Tübingen are currently about 200 EUR per semester. This includes use of local public transport free of charge from Monday to Friday (in the evenings), on weekends and on public holidays. In addition, students may purchase a semester ticket for unlimited use of public transport in the city of Tübingen and the surrounding area (currently about 160 EUR).

Estimated basic student expenses are around 1,000 EUR per month according to the Tübingen Student Services organisation (“Studierendenwerk”), including rent for student accommodation. Rent for private accommodation will be more expensive.

For further information on the cost of living, please consult the following website: https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/96944#c405415.

For information on study funding, please consult the following website: https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/250947

Accommodation is available through the Student Services organisation (“Studierendenwerk“) or on the private market. Rooms in student accommodation cost approx. 250 to 480 EUR per month. As Tübingen is a very attractive place to live, private accommodation is more expensive and can take some effort to find. To make sure you find a suitable place to live, you should start looking as early as possible.

We recommend you apply for student accommodation through the “Studierendenwerk” at the same time that you apply for admission to the Master's programme (please see: https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/halls-of-residence-tuebingen/ and https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/faqs/) and send in a copy of your notification of admission as soon as you have received it (your application won’t be finally processed before the “Studierendenwerk” has received proof of your admission). For further information, check out the “Studierendenwerk” pages on housing in Tübingen (https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/housing-infos/).