MA in American Studies
University of Groningen
Key Information
Campus location
Groningen, Netherlands
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 year
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
EUR 2,314 / per year *
Application deadline
01 May 2024
Earliest start date
Sep 2024
* EU/EEA students: €2,314 | non-EU/EEA students: €16,000
Introduction
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, the one-year Master's track offers engaging research seminars examining a wide range of theoretical, historical, social-political, and cultural approaches to the Americas.
Research-Focused and Flexible - Based on your interests, you can develop your own specific profile by tailoring your research topics to your individual preferences. Your program will culminate in a Master's Dissertation exploring a relevant American Studies topic of your choice.
Practical and Cross-Cultural You can enhance your academic experience by studying abroad or interning in North or South America. Upon graduation, your subject-matter expertise combined with your research and proficient English skills will set you apart in your future career.
Why study this program in Groningen?
- A supportive, challenging, and international learning environment
- A truly interdisciplinary approach to the Americas
- Entirely taught in English by experienced and highly trained international faculty
- Opportunity to study abroad or do an internship in the U.S.
- Career preparation with a wide range of transferable skills
- The program consistently ranks highly in national quality assurance assessments
- Groningen is an energetic, safe, and affordable student city
Research Approach and Themes
The research carried out by the Department of American Studies, by and large, mirrors the main concentrations in our educational agenda. At the heart of our research efforts, and hence of our curriculum, are three separate themes.
These themes are:
- Early American culture and history
- Contemporary socio-political issues
- Popular culture and media studies
Given the nature of American Studies, the key distinguishing feature of our research as well as in our teaching is that it is truly interdisciplinary in approach in which the individual researchers actively work across different disciplines and methodologies as opposed to, for example, research on American topics carried out in the History Department, which would generally reflect historical approaches only. The same is true for our teaching agenda: individual teachers are required to be versatile in more than one discipline as all major survey courses combine a range of disciplinary areas, approaches, methodologies, and data sets. Aligned with our teaching practices, our research is generally problem-driven as well as theory-driven. That is to say, we explore specific issues that are controversial, contested, or under-investigated, and then seek to resolve these issues through the generalization of our findings, incorporating elements associated with both the structure and the process of the phenomena we study. Among the themes, we are currently exploring are: Contemporary migration and mobility issues in the Americas Alliance cultures in the modern media landscape Cultural memory and popular culture Circum-Atlantic reconstructions the era of the eighteenth-century Revolutions Transnational perspectives on the idea of “America” and the Americas (both in historical and contemporary contexts)
Research Team and Projects
Within the Department of American Studies, research is facilitated by four senior researchers, one Rosalind Franklin Fellow, and three Ph.D. students. Please visit the Faculty Roster and the Faculty Projects sections of the Departmental website to view a listing of current American Studies faculty members and their individual research initiatives.
Curriculum
In the one-year American Studies Master's track, you can choose from a number of specialization courses.
Courses
- Leaders and Followers (10 EC)
- Religion in the Borderlands (10 EC, optional)
- The Politics of Progress: Revolution and Enlightenment, 1650-1800 (10 EC)
- Internship (10 EC, optional)
- MA Dissertation (20 EC)
- Study Abroad (10 EC, optional)
- What's Left? (10 EC, optional)
Program options
- MA Placement (specialization)
- Master's Honours Program (honors program)
Study abroad
- Study abroad is optional
- For an average of 16 weeks
Possibility to study in North or South America
Minimum of 30 ECTS
Studying abroad during the second semester of your Master's program can complement your American Studies experience at The University of Groningen. As availability permits, you can apply to study abroad at one of our first-rated exchange partner institutions in North and South America and enroll in a variety of courses of your choosing.
This is your opportunity to experience first-hand everything you have studied in the classroom, a truly enriching opportunity for students, both academically and personally!
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
The program's interdisciplinary curriculum and specializations give 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.
Job examples
- Education
Your highly proficient English skills will also prepare you to work at education institutions, in particular in the area of the internationalization of teaching and learning. A number of graduates also work in high schools and institutions of tertiary education, where they teach primarily English or History. Several American Studies graduates also wish to continue their studies by completing Ph.D. degrees, either in The Netherlands, the UK, or the US.
- Journalism
Depending on your areas of specialization, a job in journalism is a possibility. 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 utilize your knowledge of US economic and commercial policies and practices by assisting companies seeking to expand into the European and US markets.
- Culture and Arts
You might prefer to think about working in the cultural field, for example, a job in a museum or organizing a film festival. The American Studies program offers many possibilities for international contacts, which can be utilized for job options in a range of cultural industries. In addition, your cross-cultural experiences and English skills will also prepare you to work in the travel industry, especially organizing and leading guided trips.
- Public Sector
Your subject-matter expertise in U.S. socio-political affairs and proficient English skills are relevant transferable 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.