Requirements for a Dijon degree program

The most important requirement to succeed in a degree program at the French partner university is sufficient language proficiency in French. Language proficiency can usually be demonstrated by having had at least 5 years of French in school, which was completed with a minimum grade of “sufficient,” or 5 points. Accepted alternatives are a higher education entrance qualification from a French-language school, the French baccalauréat, or the Abi-Bac (simultaneous achievement of the German Abitur (Abi) and the French baccalauréat (Bac)).

The Dijon course of studies is right for you if you are excited about the opportunity to spend half of your time studying in France and getting to know the country, people, and culture better. Additionally, if you enjoy new experiences, are enthusiastic about the French language, and have the courage to show initiative and self-organize, you have everything you need for this course of study.

Requirements for the American Studies degree program

The American Studies degree program in Mainz is taught exclusively in English. Written and oral examinations are also taken in English. Therefore, you will need very good English language skills (C1 level according to the CEFR). You will have to prove your language skills by passing a language test at the beginning of your studies. Alternatively, you can provide an equivalent language certificate.

The Department of English and Linguistics provides more information on language proficiency and certificates.

American Studies is the right degree program for you if:

• you are enthusiastic about English and French,
• you have a general interest in the USA, American culture and history,
• you enjoy reading and critically analyzing English-language texts,
• you are interested in the development and characteristics of American English.

The Dijon program always consists of two subjects (an academic major and a minor), which you can combine to suit your interests or career goals. One of your two subjects must be French (either as your major or your minor). You will obtain your Licence in your academic major. Further information can be found at the Dijon Office at JGU.

As a student in the Dijon program, you will spend half of your studies abroad. You will complete any local examinations under the same conditions as the local students. The other half of your studies will be spent at JGU.

You will focus on the following topics during your studies:

• Literary American Studies
  Introduction to American Studies in the field of literature
• Cultural and Historical American Studies
  Introduction to cultural studies and history; overview of history and cultural history
• Language practice
  Grammar, essays, translation
• Advanced Literary Studies
  Specialized topics in American literature
• Advanced Cultural and Historical American Studies
  Specialized topics in American history and culture

Stay abroad

After you spend the first two semesters in Mainz, you will spend the following three semesters at the Université de Bourgogne in Dijon. You will immerse yourself in the language and culture of France and learn how to “think French.” A variety of funding programs such as ERASMUS make it possible to receive financial support during your studies abroad. Particularly interesting is the “third-country option Canada,” which is offered in the subject of American Studies in the German-French degree program. This gives you the opportunity to spend your fifth semester at a partner university in francophone Canada.

If you start your degree course in the winter semester, your study periods abroad must take place in the third, fourth and fifth semesters. You can also start your degree course in the summer semester. Due to the structure of the French academic year, however, doing so will extend the length of your degree by one semester. Your study period abroad would then take place in the fourth, fifth and sixth semesters.

Internships

As part of your (major) studies you must complete a compulsory internship of at least four weeks at an institution, commercial enterprise, or organization with a connection to the subject. The internship should take place during your stay abroad.

Voluntary internships are another good opportunity to obtain more in-depth insight into a professional field.

An internship allows you to discover whether everyday life in a particular occupation suits your career expectations and interests. You can gain qualifications for a professional field and acquire important professional and personal skills to start a career. An internship helps you both shape your career path, and mold the remainder of your course sequence – in particular by selecting specializations that suit your practical experience.

You can find further information and relevant internships on the Career Service website.

As a specialist in American Studies, you will have acquired a wide range of intercultural, communicative, linguistic, and methodical skills. You will have learned how to independently analyze texts and media, research sources of information, draw critical conclusions and present them in an easily understandable way – and all of that in English and French. This opens up a wide range of possible professions where these skills are required.

Since you will graduate with both a bachelor’s degree and a licence, you will have no problems entering the international job market. In France, you will have access to the concours for public service. Furthermore, you will have the option of pursuing a job in one of the fields below in the German, French, and English-speaking world.

After graduating, specialists in American Studies tend to work in the following areas:

• Institutions for German-American collaboration
  (e.g. Amerikahaus)
• Politics and social matters (political parties, ministries, foundations)
• Research funding organizations (e.g. DAAD, Humboldt Foundation), supervision of exchange programs
• International organizations, NGOs, economic organizations
• Tourism and event management
• Education and culture (e.g. theaters, museums, educational institutions, adult education, libraries, archives)
• Information and communications management
• Media and journalism, editorial activities, publishing, copy editing
• Press and public relations

Not sure what to do after graduation? Don’t worry!

A university degree generally does not prepare you for a single profession but qualifies you for a wide range of career paths – for example, in research, in a typical profession related to your field of study, or in one of many other academic fields.

This is why career orientation is also part of your studies. Gaining practical experience is key, and you can do so through internships, working student positions, part-time jobs or voluntary work, for example.

JGU’s Career Service will support you throughout the entire process with information, advice, workshops and numerous events – from career orientation and working on your profile and skills to finding your dream job and successfully applying for it.