The degree program is taught entirely in English.  Written and oral examinations are also taken in English. Therefore, you will need to be very proficient in English (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 equivalent language certificates.

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 have a general interest in the USA as well as American culture and history,
• you enjoy reading and critically analyzing English texts,
• you are interested in the development and features of American English,
• you want to learn more about the USA and its influence on other countries.

You will study this subject as part of a two-subject bachelor’s degree program. The degree program always consists of an academic major and minor, which can be combined according to your interests or professional goals.

If you choose the subject as a minor, you will generally complete only a portion of the modules and classes taught to students of the major subject. As a result, you will focus on a selection from the content listed below.

Course structure and specializations

You will focus on the following topics during your studies:

• Literary American Studies:
  Introduction to American studies in the area of literary studies
• 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

From the third semester onwards, you can focus on areas of literature and history/culture by selecting your preferred courses from a wide range of topics. Areas of focus include topics such as “Ethnic and Minority Studies” and “Immigration.”

Other typical subjects and questions addressed in courses include:

• Plurality of society in literature, culture, film, music, and food
• The USA – a country divided or one nation under God?
• The American election system – from electoral colleges to swing states
• Black Lives Matter – the ongoing importance of civil rights movements

Stays abroad

Would you like to live abroad for a semester or a year? Do you want to learn another language and get to know a new culture? Or gain a different perspective on your particular subject? A stay abroad provides you with the perfect opportunity to achieve this and is possible with every degree program – either self-organized or by taking advantage of one of the popular exchange programs. This is made possible by various cooperation agreements and partnerships with foreign universities.

For more information on this topic, please visit our websites on studying abroad. Visit our student exchange platform for an overview of cooperating universities in your field.

This program of study does not require you to spend time abroad, but you nevertheless have the opportunity to do so.

A longer stay in the USA or Canada is essential for gaining a better understanding of the languages and cultures of North America – not least to help you hone your linguistic skills. If you select American Studies as your major, you have the choice: Instead of the compulsory internship, you can spend at least three months studying or undertaking an internship or traineeship abroad – ideally after the third semester.

Internships

As part of your studies (major) you will complete a compulsory internship of at least four weeks in an institution, commercial enterprise, or organization with a connection to the subject – ideally after the third semester. Alternatively, you can replace the compulsory internship with a longer stay abroad of at least three months.

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 articles, research sources of information, draw critical conclusions, and present them in a way that other people can understand them – in English. This opens up many possible future professions where these skills are required.

After graduating, specialists in American studies often work in the following areas:

• Institutions for German-American collaboration
  (e.g., Amerikahaus, Transatlantic Academy)
• Politics and social areas (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)
• Knowledge 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.