British and American Cultures: Texts and Media (M.A.)
Welcome to “British and American Cultures: Texts and Media” at the IAA!
Our two-year, research-oriented MA program is taught in English. It is designed to study both British and American cultures through the analysis of literary texts and different media, including books, comics, film, periodicals, photography, theater and television. While this unique combination allows students to gain a comprehensive and comparative perspective on media-conditioned imaginations and representations of Britain and the U.S., the program also provides them with the flexibility to specialize in either British or American culture. Focusing on the transfer between media and texts, our lectures and seminars cover a wide range of concepts and topics. The curriculum includes a course in Advanced Theories and Methods. It introduces students to historical trajectories of criticism and current discussions in literary and cultural studies. Optional offers include creative writing courses. The degree program also features our innovative Project Seminar. Here, all students of a cohort collaborate to examine a topic of historical and contemporary relevance, choosing a specific format or medium of presentation such as exhibitions, installations, publications, or symposia. Students can also spend a semester abroad and profit from our cooperations with universities in the UK and the U.S. Such a stay is not mandatory, however.
Graduates of our MA program will have gained advanced skills. They can analyze various texts and media, contextualize them historically and culturally, and situate them in theoretical debates. Students receive training in abstract and conceptual thinking; they practice writing critically about texts and media; and they develop skills in collaborative project planning. These competences help graduates to qualify for a spectrum of occupational fields, including work in archives and libraries, cultural institutions, education, journalism, management, publishing, public relations, and academic research. As with any degree that does not prepare for a specific profession, students should complement their studies with internships. Please note that the institute does not provide support for finding internships.
Study program
Module structure for the Master’s program in British and American Cultures: Texts and Media (PDF)
Important Notice: The schema above may be subject to modifications during your studies. However, for students, the Study and Examination Rules (Studienordnung, FSB) at the time of enrollment remain valid.