Published 18 September 2004
American studies at the Universiteit van Amsterdam has developed a tradition which has long set it apart from approaches elsewhere. Unlike other programmes in Europe, it has not grown out of the study of American language and literature, but has always been interdisciplinary, combining history, social sciences and literary studies in its approach. Unlike American studies programmes at American universities (where America tends to be studied from the inside), Amsterdam has always looked at the United States from an international and comparative perspective. A recent outgrowth of this perspective is the importance of the subject of globalisation. For the Amsterdam programme this perspective has the following three consequences. Firstly, students will examine the United States as an international presence, the way it affects other countries and cultures politically, economically, militarily and culturally
Secondly, they will study the ways in which European intellectuals in a number of European countries have analysed America as a counterpoint to Europe, trying to grasp its critical differences from European traditions. In a sense this exploration is as much European intellectual history as it is American studies.
Thirdly, America will be explored as a cultural presence in European mass media such as film, radio, television, photographs and advertising. The central themes for study and discussion are the nature of American culture, the Americanisation of Europe, the European debate about American mass culture and the relation between Americanisation and globalisation.
Central themes in the programme are the Americanisation of Europe, the European debate about American mass culture and allegations concerning American cultural imperialism.
The Master's degree programme in American Studies is open to students with a Bachelor's degree or equivalent in the fields of history, social sciences, media and culture, communication studies or English literature, or to those who have reached an equivalent level of university education. Admission, however, is not necessarily limited only to graduates from these fields.
First semester
| Courses |
Credits |
| |
|
| Major issues in American History |
10 EC |
| The American Discussion about Modern City Life |
10 EC |
| Spreading Freedom and Democracy: The Ideology and Practice of U.S. Military Government since 1898 |
10 EC |
Second Semester
| Course |
Credits |
| |
|
|
Democracy in America: the Private
and the Public |
10 EC |
| MA thesis |
20 EC |
For detailed course information please click here.
The weblink will give access to the UvA studyguide.
This guide contains all courses taught at the university.
The Master's degree programme in American studies will prepare students for further postgraduate studies (e.g. a PhD), independent research, journalism, as well for a variety of advisory and/or managerial jobs in advisory organisations and government institutions.
Professor Ruud Janssens
Follow the link below for detailed information about the academic staff and the e-mail address of Prof. Ruud Janssens.
American Studies is a specialisation programme within the history department's master's programme. This means that, upon succesful completion of the MA programme, students will receive a master's degree in History and the title Master of Arts (MA).
Please click here for detailed information about the application procedure.
Please click below to read an interview with Aleks Lubierska, studying American Studies in 2003-2004.
Find out more about the programme and what it is like to live and study in the Netherlands.
1 year
English
Source: Graduate School for Humanities
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