North American Studies

The MA degree program North American Studies is dedicated to the transdisciplinary study of North America in a global context. The study course facilitates a critical understanding of theories and practices of culture, transatlantic relations, and the processes of globalization. The modules focus on the interplay of political and economic structures with literary and cultural discourses, the dynamics of race, class, gender, and sexuality, and the interrogation of the United States and Canada as cultural, political, and economic systems. Distinctive research areas include literary and cultural theory, Native and Indigenous studies, gender studies, environmental studies, visual culture studies, the intersections of law and culture, and dialogues between cultural studies and the natural sciences.

As a study program and research institution, the North American Studies Program organizes numerous conferences and a lecture series on issues of North American and cultural studies. It also draws on long-standing collaborations with North American universities. The core faculty members are experts in literary and cultural studies, political science, and economics and also include visiting scholars. In addition, students interested in historical and postcolonial studies profit from the program’s cooperation with the University of Cologne.

Possible lines of work:

Academia (research management, teaching/ research at universities, research institutions, university administration), cultural management, educational sector, journalism/ media industry, communications industry (public relations, translation), book industry (libraries, archives, publishers), international cultural relations, consulting, marketing, tourism, international organizations/ public authorities/ governmental or non-governmental organizations, diplomatic service