Master of Arts in American Studies Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

Courses are held in English. Participants write their course work and Master's theses in English.

The American Studies Master’€˜s programme is designed to emphasise research-oriented perspectives on American literature, culture, history and their theories. It continues the BA programme in American Studies at Mainz University, and it also welcomes applications of students from American Studies programmes in Germany, Europe, and other parts of the world.

The field of American Studies has seen a number of major changes in theory and practice in the last decade. Its traditional emphasis on the literature and culture of the United States has been expanded both conceptually and methodologically. Reaching beyond the continental geographical focus of the United States, Transnational American Studies include new regions of language and literature, branching out into Atlantic, Caribbean, and Pacific Studies.

The Mainz MA programme responds to these new developments and encourages students to explore the transnational dimensions of American Studies. The programme offers a broad spectrum of courses and conducts research on American literature and culture from the 16th to the 21st century with areas of specialisation in comparative Indigenous studies, early American studies, and transnational life writing. It maintains well-established exchange programmes and international co-operations with North American, European, and Chinese universities.

With the newly accredited MA programme offering greater flexibility, students now have the option to complete all 120 credits within American Studies, combine their studies with two modules from another discipline, or fulfil credit requirements through additional certificates. This new structure makes the programme one of the few Master’s degrees that offer interdisciplinary modules and is therefore a great opportunity for students with diverse academic interests. However, it is highly recommended, especially for international and interdisciplinary students, to complete all 120 credits within the American Studies programme.

The Master’s programme in American Studies at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz can also be studied as a binational programme and offers students the unique opportunity of pursuing a binational degree through collaboration with Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté (UBE) in France. This literature- and culture-focused programme offers in-depth knowledge of various manifestations of Anglophone societies in their respective literary, historical, political, and cultural contexts.

International and interdisciplinary applicants who do not have a Bachelor's degree in American Studies can apply for a preparatory course ("Propädeutikum"). In the newly accredited MA programme, this preparatory course is integrated as its own module (Module 0). The Preparatory Course (Module 0) consists of three core courses focused on academic writing, American literary and cultural studies, and presentation and communication techniques. These courses are structured as a combination of in-class sessions, tutorials, and self-study units, with students earning 10 credits upon completion of the module. Please indicate this option in your application.

Winter semester application period: from the beginning of April to 1 September

Summer semester application period: from the beginning of October to 1 March

The MA American Studies programme consists of several modules:

• Module 0: Preparatory Course American Studies (for interdisciplinary and international applicants)
• Module 1: Methodology
• Module 2: Literature and Media
• Module 3: History and Society
• Module 4: Advanced Literature, History, and Media
• Module 5: Current Issues: Project
• Module 6: Professional Language and Communication
• Module 7: Advanced Research

The new Master’s programme model at JGU Mainz offers students greater academic flexibility and personalisation through an innovative structure that combines a subject-specific focus with a customisable profile area. At the heart of the programme is a core Master’s degree in American Studies (90 credits), complemented by a 30-credit profile area. This profile area allows students to tailor their studies according to their academic goals and professional interests by choosing one of the following three options:

• Profile 1 – Subject Specialisation ("Fachvertiefung"): For students who wish to deepen their expertise in American Studies with a research-oriented focus
• Profile 2 – Complementary Subject ("Ergänzungsfach"): This option allows students to tailor their studies in an interdisciplinary manner by completing two modules from another discipline.
• Profile 3 – Supplementary Qualifications ("Ergänzende Qualifikationen"): Ideal for students seeking to enhance their career prospects or explore personal interests through additional qualifications in areas like language skills, digital tools, or professional training

Students are encouraged to choose their preferred profile during the second semester.

The programme includes a special module on interdisciplinary studies allowing students to expand their research into cognate fields for a broad-based perspective on the Americas. The MA programme especially emphasises the need for students to experience the United States at first hand and is committed to offering students the possibility of studying at one of our partner universities in the United States, Canada, or China.

The programme encourages students to do an internship as preparation for the job market. Students receive credits for the completed internship.

No tuition fees

Semester fee approx. 350 to 400 EUR per semester

Bachelor of Arts in English or American Studies, Bachelor of Education English, other Bachelor's degrees in literary and cultural studies with a focus on North America

Advanced command of English (spoken and written) at C1 level is required (no test is required). Proof can be provided by the submission of the Bachelor's transcript.

Winter semester application period: from the beginning of April to 1 September

Summer semester application period: from the beginning of October to 1 March

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