American Studies

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Deadline: Jul 15, 2024
StudyQA ranking:3979 Duration:3 years
American Studies Leipzig offers students a multifaceted and challenging programme that helps them acquire the sort of integrated expertise expected more and more in all sectors of the working world. The programme explores the United States - its history, culture, politics, literature, and language - from multiple perspectives and in multiple contexts. Apart from acquainting students with key international knowledge, courses in American Studies also teach students to think analytically, independently, and to express ideas clearly.

The BA in American Studies covers three branches: 1) Society, History, & Politics, 2) Literature & Culture, and 3) Language & Society. After taking introductory courses in all of these sub-disciplines of American Studies, students may specialise among the three.

Educational organisation

In the first year, students are provided with academic skills and tools to prosper during their studies. These consist of four independent and reinforcing modules:
  • Literature and Culture I
  • Society, History, and Politics I
  • Introduction to Linguistics for American Studies
  • Professional Skills Module iTASK - international, interdisciplinary, integrated: Technical, Academic, Soft and Career Skills

After the first year, students can combine modules to create their own tailor-made interdisciplinary specialisation depending on their personal and professional interests and goals. These modules include:
  • Society, History, and Politics II and III
  • Literature and Culture II and III
  • The Anglo-American World in a Global Context
  • Ethnicity and Diversity
  • Picador Seminars and Fulbright Lectures
  • Project Module
  • Language and Society - Applied Linguistics
  • Language and Society - Language in Transition

Study abroad unit(s)

Study abroad is strongly encouraged at American Studies Leipzig. In close cooperation with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), American Studies Leipzig offers a BA American Studies with Transatlantic Capstone Programme, the "Bachelor Plus," for highly qualified BA students who will spend a year abroad at Ohio University's Global Leadership Center, one of the leading state research universities in the United States.
Study abroad is also possible at one of our nine partner universities in the US and through study abroad networks (for example, Erasmus+, the Utrecht Network and MAUI/AEN). Credits earned abroad can be accredited to the BA degree by the institute.

Internships

An internship module allows students to earn credit for a wide variety of internships.

Forms of assessment

Student receive a grade for each module. The assessment is typically based on a written test and/or a research paper and a presentation.
Students also receive a comprehensive grade for the entire BA programme. This consists of the average of grades received for the modules, plus the grade received for the BA thesis.

Course objectives

The BA in American Studies prepares students for professional international careers in fields including education, cultural affairs, media, international and non-governmental organisations, the private sector, and politics.
The professional skills module empowers students to develop conceptual, analytical, communicative and career skills. Presentation skills are practised throughout the programme.

Language requirements

Evidence of English skills corresponding to the B2 level and German skills corresponding to the C1 level of the Common European Reference Frame at the time of enrolment.

Required DSH / TestDaF

Yes

Academic requirements

Secondary school-leaving certificate (e.g. Baccalaureate, O- and A-Levels; for US students: high school diploma and approx. two years of college credits)
You will find more detailed information about requirements on the International Centre's website:
https://www.zv.uni-leipzig.de/en/study/international-study/international-applicants.html

Enrolment fees

Currently, students have to pay 197.50 EUR enrolment fee per semester. This fee covers student services (83 EUR), a semester ticket for public transportation (113 EUR), and the mobility fund (1.50 EUR).

Costs of living

Approx. 500 to 700 EUR per month to cover personal expenses.

Job opportunities

Leipzig offers many job opportunities. These can be found in the service sector, the business sector, logistics (both DHL and Amazon operate from Leipzig), at the Leipzig trade fair, in tourism and branches relating to language and education.
Students can also apply for part-time work at the university.

Funding opportunities within the university

Funding for study abroad is available through PROMOS scholarships and cooperation agreements between the University of Leipzig and over 40 universities worldwide.

Arrival support

Upon arrival in Leipzig, students receive an in-depth introduction to the BA programme in American Studies and to Leipzig during an orientation week.

Services and support for international students

A detailed orientation week is held at the beginning of each winter semester to integrate students academically and personally at Leipzig University and the Institute for American Studies.
The Institute's international coordinator and Leipzig University's International Centre offer counselling services for study abroad programmes.
The student council also offers counselling for academic and personal concerns.

Accommodation

Accommodation is abundant, diverse, and very affordable. Choices range from "Jugendstil" (art nouveau) apartments, to student residence halls and shared apartments ("Wohngemeinschaften").

Useful websites for finding accommodation include the following:
http://www.studentenwerk-leipzig.de/wohnen/
http://www.wg-gesucht.de/wg-zimmer-in-Leipzig.77.0.1.0.html
http://www.studenten-wg.de/
http://www.dsble.de/wohnen/angebote/in/leipzig
http://leipzig.studenten-wohnung.de/
http://www.wg-welt.de
http://leipzig.homecompany.de/index.php?sp=en
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