Applied North American Studies (90cp)

The Combi Bachelor Applied North American Studies was introduced in 2021 with the study regulations published on September 1, 2021 (Amtsblatt 19/2021). It consists of 90 credit points (major) and is combined with a 60cp minor from a different study program and 30cp in General Professional Skills (ABV). Students choose between the humanities (history, culture, literature) and the social sciences (sociology, political science, economics) profile. 

Overall Degree Structure (Checklist)

MAJOR/ CORE FIELD (90 CP)

In their core field, students either complete the modules for the humanities profile or the social sciences profile.

1. HUMANITIES PROFILE (HISTORY, CULTURE, LITERATURE)

Interdisciplinary Modules (15 CP)

• Understanding North America A1 (10 CP)
  (History, Culture, Literature)
• Multidisciplinary Studies A (5 CP)

Language Skills (at the FU Language Center, 5 CP)

• Oral and Writing Skills A (5 CP)

Orientation Modules (20 CP)

Choose two: History, Culture, Literature

• Orientation Module 1st Discipline 
• Orientation Module 2nd Discipline

Specialization Modules (20 CP)

Complete two modules in one of the disciplines chosen above

• Spezialization Module A, 1st discipline
• Spezialization Module B, 1st discipline

Practice Module (10 CP)

Bachelor Thesis Colloquium: Scientific Working Methods (8 CP)

Bachelor Thesis (12 CP)

2. SOCIAL SCIENCES PROFILE (SOCIOLOGY, POLTICIAL SCIENCE, ECONOMICS)

Interdisciplinary Modules (15 CP)

• Understanding North America B1 (10 CP)
  (Sociology, Political Science, Economics)
• Multidisciplinary Studies B (5 CP)

Language Skills (at the FU Language Center, 5 CP)

• Oral and Writing Skills A (5 CP)

Orientation Modules (20 CP)

Choose two: Sociology, Political Science, Economics

• Orientation Module 1st Discipline
• Orientation Module 2nd Discipline

Specialization Modules (20 CP)

Complete two modules in one of the disciplines chosen above

• Spezialization Module A, 1st discipline
• Spezialization Module B, 1st discipline

Practice Module (10 CP)

Bachelor Thesis Colloquium: Scientific Working Methods (8 CP)

Bachelor Thesis (12 CP)

MINOR/ 60-CP MODULE

Students complete 60 credit points in their minor at a different department. Courses must be chosen according to the respective study regulations. 

GENERAL PROFESSIONAL SKILLS (30 CP)

The general professional skills area consists of a mandatory professional internship in Germany or abroad, as well as courses in the specific skills area, including language courses, information and media skills, gender and diversity awareness, organization and management, and communication skills. Detailed information can be found here.

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Module Structure

Understanding North America A & B

Module A (History, Culture, Literature) is offered each winter semester, Module B (Political Science, Economics, Sociology) is offered each summer semester.

Format: Lecture (4SWS), Student-Led Tutorial (2SWS)
Method of Examination: Exam (90 minutes)
Credit Points: 10 per module

Multidisciplinary Studies A & B

Students who have chosen the humanities profile complete the Multidisciplinary Module A, students who have chosen the social sciences profile complete the Multidisciplinary Module B. The Multidisciplinary Studies Modules are co-taught by two disciplines and consist of thematically connected lectures by JFKI instructors and guest speakers. They are taught each winter semester on Wednesdays from 6-8pm.

Format: Ring Lecture (2SWS)
Method of Examination: --
Credit Points: 5 per module

Oral and Writing Skills A

Format: Exercise (4SWS)
Method of Examination: Exam (90 minutes) or written component (ca. 1200 words)
Credit Points: 5

Disciplinary Orientation Module

The disciplinary orientation module has to be completed in the 1st and 2nd discipline. Each module consists of two courses. One of these courses must be completed with  “active participation” (which remains without a grade), the other with "graded participation" (a graded written exam / term paper / oral exam). Students can most often chose which course they want to receive the grade in. The requirements to obtain active participation credit or graded participation credit will be determined by the instructor and is stated on the course syllabus.

Format: Proseminar (2SWS), Seminar (2SWS)
Method of Examination: Exam (120 minutes) or term paper (3000 - 4500 words)
Credit points: 10

Spezialization Module A & B

The spezialization module A and B have to be completed in the 1st discipline. Each module consists of two courses. One of these courses must be completed with  “active participation” (which remains without a grade), the other with "graded participation" (a graded written exam / term paper / oral exam). Students can most often chose which course they want to receive the grade in. The requirements to obtain active participation credit or graded participation credit will be determined by the instructor and is stated on the course syllabus.

Format: Seminar (2SWS), Advanced Seminar (2SWS)
Method of Examination: Term Paper (4500 - 6000 words), in some disciplines an exam (120 minutes)
Credit points: 10 per module

-- Please refer to the departmental websites for more specific information --

Practice Module Humanities & Social Sciences

The practice module in completed in accordance with the chosen profile. It consists of a seminar, which is offered in the winter semester, and a practice seminar, offered in the summer semester. 

Format: Seminar (2SWS), Practice Seminar (2SWS)
Method of Examination: Project report (3.000-4.500 words)
Credit points: 10 per module

Thesis Colloquium (Scientific working methods)

This course covers scientific working methods in preparation for the Bachelor thesis. They should be taken either shortly before or during the writing process.

Format: Colloquium (2SWS)
Method of Examination: Exposé (not more than 3.500 words, not graded)
Credit Points: 8

Bachelor Thesis

The Bachelor thesis must be written in the first discipline. Please find more information here.

Format: Written thesis of ca. 7.500 words (16 weeks processing time)
Method of Examination: Graded by first and second advisor, no oral component
Credit Points: 12