American Studies

Description

Interdisciplinary in Approach. Dynamic in Teaching. Relevant in Practice. American Studies at The University of Groningen.

Comprehensive and Challenging – Entirely taught in English by internationally-renowned faculty, you will study American society from the perspectives of its hemispheric context, popular culture, history, literature, politics, economics, religion and race.

Flexible and Cross-Cultural – You can tailor-fit the curriculum to fit your academic and personal interests by specializing in a relevant minor and experiencing the U.S. first-hand by studying abroad for a semester at one of our exchange partner universities!

Practical and Valuable - Your subject-matter expertise in U.S. economic, political, and cultural affairs combined with your critical-thinking, independent research, and highly proficient English skills will set you apart in your future career.

The program's interdisciplinary curriculum and specializations gives you ample opportunity to find out what topics interest you most and what areas of employment you wish to explore. Pursuing an internship while in the program is a great way to gain experience in the field prior to seeking full-time employment. As an American Studies graduate, you will gain competency in a broad range of transferable skills which will diversify your career prospects.

Your expertise in the US economic, political, cultural, commercial and social domains, coupled with your highly proficient English communication skills and cultural adaptability through your study abroad experience, will set you apart from other job candidates.

Students seeking job opportunities or internships are encouraged to contact the Faculty of Arts Placement Office for assistance. The Placement Office informs about placement possibilities and regulations, guides students in finding placements, organises information meetings, mediates in placement vacancies, and takes care of all formal organisational aspects.

• Journalism

Students interested in journalism may consider using their proficiency in US political and cultural affairs to work as correspondents or reporters for international or US media outlets.

• Business

Interested in marketing or international business? Then consider utilizing your knowledge of U.S. economic, cultural and commercial policies and practices by assisting U.S. and European companies seeking to expand into the Dutch, European, and U.S. markets.

• Culture and Arts

If you would rather work in the cultural domain, consider working in a museum or arts organization or utilizing your cross-cultural experiences and English skills to work in the travel industry by organizing and leading guided trips.

• Public Sector

Your subject-matter expertise in U.S. socio-political affairs and proficient English skills are relevant transferrable skills for work in the public sector. Consider working for an NGO or governmental entity, in positions ranging from Media and Communication Coordinators to Information Officers.

• Education

Working at institutions of secondary and higher education is another great option as a number of our graduates have taught English or History. Several American Studies graduates also wish to continue their studies by completing their Master's degree and pursuing a PhD degree, either in The Netherlands, the UK or the US

Detailed Course Facts

• EUR 1951 Year (EEA)
• EUR 7800 Year (Non-EEA)

• English

Course Content

• 1st year

  The first year will introduce you to multiple aspects of recent and contemporary American society, including its cultural and political history, race and gender relations, and market economy. You will gain a high level of oral and written competency in English through the program's Rhetoric and Composition course which will prepare you to effectively give presentations and write argumentative essays for the program's other English-taught courses.

  In addition, you can tailor-fit the curriculum to fit your interests through the Special Topics courses and by choosing a Minor in either Spanish, Film Studies, International Relations, Non-Western Studies, Communication and Information Science, or Media and Journalistic Culture.

• 2nd year

  During the second year, you will continue your interdisciplinary coursework in early American history and culture as well as begin to explore the media landscape of the Americas through the study of Media Theory and Popular Culture. You will demonstrate your increased theoretical and practical knowledge by combining what you have learned from the first year with your own thoughts and research.

• 3rd year

  The third and final year of the Bachelor program will consist of advanced-level courses and a research seminar. More importantly, in the first semester of the third year, you will have an opportunity to pursue a cross-cultural experience by studying abroad for a semester at one of our exchange partner universities in the U.S. This is your chance to fully explore the country and culture which you have been studying – a life-changing experience for students, both academically and personally!

  If you are unable to study abroad, you may take an additional minor or do an internship. You will conclude your degree with a Capstone project.

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  Master's Program:

  Once you have completed your Bachelor program, you may consider continuing on to pursue a Master's degree in American Studies. In this one-year graduate program, you specialize in one of three tracks, including: a Cultural-Historical Track with an emphasis on Early America and its transatlantic relations; a Socio-Political Track with an emphasis on hemispheric American and international relations; and a Media Track with an emphasis on popular culture, journalism, literature, film, music and other media.

  Additionally, you will have the opportunity to pursue a cross-cultural experience by either doing an internship or studying abroad for a semester at one of our partner universities in the U.S. The program will culminate in a Dissertation focused on a topic of your choice within American Studies.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6.5 TOEFL iBT® test : 100

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

Specific requirements / More information

• language test

• previous education

Dutch VWO diploma, a German Abitur, an International Baccalaureate diploma, a European Baccalaureate or another diploma that is sufficient for acceptance to a Dutch university.

• CM
• EM
• NG
• NT
• HBO-p

  As of 1 September 2015, students will no longer be automatically granted admission to this degree program on the basis of a Dutch HBO propaedeutic certificate (in combination with a Dutch HAVO diploma). The degree program may set additional requirements. Please contact the academic advisor for more information.

Admission requirements

Specific requirements / More information

• language test

Minimum language requirement for BA: VWO English grade 7

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Alumni Study Travel Fund

  Scholarships for students who are already attending the University of Reading.

• Amsterdam Merit Scholarships

  The University of Amsterdam aims to attract the world’s brightest students to its international classrooms. Outstanding students from outside the European Economic Area can apply for an Amsterdam Merit Scholarship.

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Groningen.