North American Studies is a single-major Master's program at the University of Cologne taught entirely in English. It focuses on the history, culture, art, literature, language, film, philosophy, media theory, politics, society, economy and law of North America, i.e. Canada, the US, the Caribbean and Latin America. It aims at providing insight into the cultural and literary history of North America and offering an overview of relevant theories and methods in the fields of literary studies, culture studies and media studies.
Information for Applicants
Application Requirements
Applicants must have completed an undergraduate's degree totaling or being equal to 180 ECTS in one of the following areas:
- North American Studies
- English Studies
- American Studies
- History
- Geography
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Law
- Sociology
- Theology
- Economics
- Translation
- Intercultural Communication
Moreover, applicants must have excellent English skills on C1 level of the CEFR and skills in a modern European language other than German on B2 level of the CEFR. The latter requirement must be met by the time the master thesis is started, i.e. B2 level in a modern European language can be reached while completing the North American Studies program.
The checking of the students’ fulfilment of the language requirements is the responsibility of the examination office [Prüfungsamt] of the Faculty of Humanities [Philosophische Fakultät]. The English Seminar I does not provide legally binding information on what language certificates are accepted by the examination office.
Information for Students
Study Structure [Studienaufbau]
Students can be begin their major during the winter semester or the summer semester. It is a single-major program. The standard period of study is four semesters over the course of which students acquire 120 credit points [Leistungspunkte; LP]. These credit points are awarded upon completing entire modules, not upon completing individual courses.
The major consists of four advanced modules [Aufbaumodule], one specialization module [Schwerpunktmodul], and one module pertaining to the master thesis. With the exception of the master thesis module [Masterarbeitsmodul], these modules consist of different courses, and an exam. In AMs 1 and 2, students write a term paper as their module exam; in AM 2, students undergo an oral exam; in AM 4, students undergo a combination exam [Kombinatorische Prüfung] for which they prepare a written handout and present it during an oral exam; and in SM 1, students write a report on their internship. The exams of AMs 1, 2, 3 and 4 factor into students’ overall grade; the exam of SM 1 does not.
Course Requirements [Studienleistungen]
In order to successfully complete a course, students have to provide a type of course requirement determined by the lecturer (for instance, essays, oral presentations, portfolios etc.). The deadline for the course requirement is set at the discretion of the lecturer.
Exams
The overall grade is composed of the cumulative grade of the module exams (2/3), and the grade of the master thesis (1/3). The exams of AMs 1, 2, 3 and 4 are of equal weight.
Students have to register for module exams in KLIPS. Students have to be registered for exams in KLIPS in order to receive grades; for legal reasons, belated registrations for exams are not possible. In addition to that, students need to contact their lecturers in a timely manner in order to arrange exam topics and dates. In case of students failing a module exam, they can repeat it as often as needed. Grades are registered in KLIPS by the examiners and activated at the earliest by the date of the exam registered in KLIPS. This means, for instance, that grades for term papers, whose exam date is March 15 during the winter semester and September 15 during the summer semester, will not appear on students’ transcripts prior to March 15 or, alternatively, prior to September 15. Individual proofs of exam grades cannot be issued. Students are advised to consider this in the planning of their studies.
Exam registration: All information regarding exam registration can be found here.
Exam de-registration: If students are unable to take an exam, they have to inform their examiner, at the latest, by the day of the exam. Furthermore, students have to hand in this form and, in case of illness, a doctor’s certificate no later than one week after the scheduled exam date.
Exams in North American Studies
Advanced module 1 Literary and Cultural Studies: Written exam in form of a term paper consisting of 20 to 25 pages (30,000 to 37,500 characters). The module exam factors 25% into the overall grade. The term paper has to written in conjunction with one of the module’s courses. Students can register (and de-register on their own) for the exam from October 1 to March 14 or April 1 to September 14. The term paper has to be handed by March 15 or September 15. Please make sure to use the cover sheet of the English Seminar.
Advanced module 2 History and Society: Written exam in form of a term paper consisting of 20 to 25 pages (30,000 to 37,500 characters). The module exam factors 25% into the overall grade. The term paper has to written in conjunction with one of the module’s courses. Students can register (and de-register on their own) for the exam from October 1 to March 14 or April 1 to September 14. The term paper has to be handed by March 15 or September 15.
Advanced module 3 Postcolonial Studies: Oral exam lasting 45 minutes. Students prepare two topics in conjunction with one of the module’s courses. The module exam factors 25% into the overall grade. Students can register (and de-register on their own) for the exam from October 1 to March 14 or April 1 to September 14. The term papers has to be handed by March 15 or September 15. Please make sure to use the cover sheet of the English Seminar.
Advanced module 4 Research: Combination exam in form of a ten-minute presentation, followed by a 20-minute discussion on it; the basis of the presentation is a 2-page handout [Thesenpapier]. The module exam factors 25% into the overall grade. The 2-page handout and presentation have to be prepared in conjunction with the finale one of the module’s colloquia. Students can register (and de-register on their own) for the exam from October 1 to March 14 or April 1 to September 14. The term papers has to be handed by March 15 or September 15.
Specialization module 1 Internship: Written exam in form of an internship report consisting of ten to 15 pages (15,000 to 22,500 characters). The internship itself has to be at least six weeks long. The module exam does not factor into students’ overall grade. Students can register (and de-register on their own) for the exam from October 1 to March 14 or April 1 to September 14. The report has to be handed by March 15 or September 15.
Master Thesis
The master thesis is worth 30 credit points. It is proof that students are able to academically treat and reflect a topic relevant to the study program within a fixed timeframe. The thesis’ topic cannot be identical with any exam topic. The thesis has to be completed within 26 weeks and has to be 60 pages long.
The examination office of the Faculty of Humanities is responsible for the administrative handling of master theses. Students need to register their thesis there after consultation with the lecturer supervising their thesis.
Further Information
An overview of the program can be found here.
The program flyer (German language version) can be found here.
The module handbook (German language version) can be found here.
For questions and requests, please contact Dr. Jasmin Herrmann