Interdisciplinary Inter-American Studies

The interdisciplinary MA Inter-American Studies programme focuses on social, cultural, historical, and political developments in the Americas both in their specifically national characteristics and in regard to processes of transnational integration. The programme is characterised by a broad interdisciplinary approach to Hemispheric area studies and includes the disciplines of literary, cultural, and media studies, linguistics, sociology, political science, and transnational history. The larger context of current research questions of transnationality, of interculturality, of globalisation, and of the world society is of central interest.

Educational organisation

The Inter-American Studies Master programme is structured according to basic and optional complementary modules. There are four basic modules which should be completed during the first two semesters, together with the individual electives module. The basic modules cover seminars on North and South American culture, literature, history and language. During the second year of the programme, students are to complete two of the nine optional complementary modules, choosing their major and specialising in literature and culture and/or linguistic and/or history and politics and/or social studies of the American continent. An additional graduation module consisting of the Master's thesis and a research colloquium is to be completed during the last semester of the programme.

Basic modules:
1. Interdisciplinary Introductory Module
2. History of the Americas
3. North American Literature and the Processes of Culture
4. Latin-American Literature and Culture
5. Individual electives with optional internship

Optional complementary modules:
6. Theory Module History
7. History of the Americas
8. Language and the Processes of Culture
9. Media and the Processes of Culture
10. Literatures and Cultures of the Americas
11. Language Typology and Language Comparison
12. Structures and Dynamics of Global Communities
13. Forms of Transnational Communities and Collectivities
14. The Politics of Global Citizenship
15. Graduation Module

Study abroad unit(s)

The Inter-American Studies MA programme aims at educating experts in the fields of international, cultural, social and communication processes. Going abroad for a semester on a student exchange to Latin America, the United States or Canada is an element of the programme. This way, students are given the opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired during their studies in a concrete, cultural, social and political environment of the Americas, at the same time conducting the necessary field research. The programme offers the possibility to choose specific complementary modules from the special research and educational offers of our partner universities. Most importantly, the exchange programmes offer students the possibility of a double supervision (co-tutelle) while writing their Master's thesis.
Agreements have been established with the following universities:

• Universidad de Guadalajara (Mexico)
• Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar, Quito (Ecuador)
• Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín (Colombia)
• Pontífica Universidade Católica, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
• Universidad de Buenos Aires (Argentina)
• Universidad Católica, Lima (Peru)

Forms of assessment

The usual forms of assessment are essays, oral presentations and term papers. Students can obtain two to fourteen ECTS per seminar, depending on the seminar and the form of assessment.

Course objectives

The programme offers academic studies for future experts in international cultural, social, and communicative processes with a double focus on Anglo-America and Latin America. It provides students with key qualifications in the areas of the intercultural mediation of knowledge and culture.

Language requirements

Applicants must provide proof of their Spanish and English skills. German proof is required before graduation: TestDaF 3 or DSH 1.

Academic requirements

Admissions requirements:

• BA degree (or equivalent) in an area of related studies (transcript of records for those who have not yet received their BA certificate at the time of application)
• certification of advanced proficiency in English and Spanish
• a three-page statement of motivation
• curriculum vitae

Enrolment fees

Currently approx. 270 EUR per semester, including a ticket for public transport in the city of Bielefeld and the whole state of North Rhine-Westphalia

Costs of living

The following monthly costs can be expected: the rent in a student hall of residence, in private halls, rooms, or flats amounts to about 300 EUR per month; health insurance is about 80 EUR per month; and a meal in the students' canteen (Mensa) costs less than 3 EUR. According to lifestyle, about 150 EUR per month can be expected to be spent on food. So the cost of living amounts to approx. 670 EUR monthly, i.e. some 8,000 EUR per year.

Job opportunities

Basically, international students are allowed to work parallel to their studies for 120 full days or 240 half days per year without a work permit once they have successfully completed preparations for their studies and started a course.
A limited number of jobs are available at the university; however, jobs for students can also be found in companies in and around Bielefeld.

Funding opportunities within the university

The university society "Westfälisch-Lippische Universitätsgesellschaft" awards some part-cost grants for excellent international Master's students.

Arrival support

The Inter-American Studies department coordinator supports international students on their arrival in Bielefeld and guides them throughout the semester in any issues concerning academic life at Bielefeld University.

Services and support for international students

Bielefeld University offers a personal tutoring programme for all international freshmen and participants of the German language courses. The so-called "brother-sister-programme" arranges for support from a more advanced student, who accompanies the newcomer in getting to know the university campus and relevant institutions at Bielefeld University, in exploring the city, and in getting over the hurdles of registration and other bureaucratic formalities. The International Office of Bielefeld University also offers a wide range of cultural events and excursions for international students.
For further details see: http://www.uni-bielefeld.de/io

Accommodation

In Bielefeld, a broad range of accommodation options can be found at affordable prices.
There are 17 halls of residence run by the public "Studentenwerk" and private organisations. Additionally, single apartments as well as rooms in shared flats with other students are available. The rent for a room in Bielefeld amounts to about 180 to 300 EUR per month. The International Office supports students who are searching for accommodation.