American Studies Heidelberg University

Overview

Graduates of the Bachelor’s degree program in American Studies from Heidelberg University will have obtained both basic subject knowledge as well as more in-depth knowledge gained on the basis on selected examples. They will have gained the skills necessary to grasp and precisely describe the topics covered within the disciplines that make up American Studies, as well as to explain the relevant terminology and primary research issues of the individual disciplines, and to develop America-related research topics.  

Further, graduates will have the ability to precisely and clearly present US-related phenomena both orally and in written form. They will have analyzed these phenomena on the basis of empirical analysis and published research. In the process, graduates will have developed a high level of comfort performing multi- and interdisciplinary work. They will have the ability to articulate relevant US-related research questions, apply sound research methodology to the questions, and engage with them in an interdisciplinary dialogue. 

Graduates will have gained an awareness of not only the various USA-related perspectives of the individual disciplines studied, but also of the importance of interdisciplinary research on the United States.

Key Features

• The practical section consists of a “Language in Use” module, one key competence module and one practical module. This includes the preparation for, participation in, and reporting on an internship which is to be completed in a potential future professional field for American Studies graduates. 

• Following completion of the curriculum, students take the Bachelor’s examination module, consisting of a Bachelor’s thesis and a final oral examination in the two disciplines that were selected as specialization modules.  

•  From the third semester on, students have the option of taking law courses pursuant to obtaining an additional certificate in "Anglo-American Law (Public Law)."