For the difference between the tracks, read this.
You have to make the choice at the end of the first semester: you are usually asked to submit your choice in December, because the track classes start in the spring of the first year of your BA studies. Officially, your choice will only be recorded at the end of the first year.
Around 50 students, that is, three seminar groups. As all American studies classes are provided by the staff of the Department of American Studies, our capacities are limited to three parallel seminar groups.
If more than 50 people apply, there will be a set of short oral interviews in the second half of January – still during the exam period – to determine who gets accepted to the American track.
Staff members of the Department of American Studies.
The interview is a short conversation to determine the students’ level of English, their interest in American studies, but also to answer any questions they may have about the track.
We know that scheduling conflicts may arise, and we try to stay as flexible as possible. If you have an exam during the time of the interview, we can reschedule for any of the other dates, or you can ask to be called in early in order to make it to your exam. Whichever is more convenient.
Yes, if you have university-related, academic reasons (an exam), or an emergency situation (medical) which prevents you from making it to the interview.
Private travel does not count as an emergency situation, but we will try to be flexible as long as you can make it to one of the other dates.
In person or online via MS Teams.
The interview is usually conducted by two members of the Department of American Studies to ensure fair assessment. They will evaluate you based on criteria like your command of English, your interest in American studies, your interest in different subject areas connected to the field etc. You will be awarded a number of points based on these criteria, and the 50 students with the most points will be accepted to the track.
If you do not come to the interview, your score will automatically be zero, and you will not be accepted to the American track. You will continue your studies on the English track.
The list of students accepted to the American track is announced shortly after the interviews are over. Those who are accepted will start their studies on the American track, those who are not will continue their studies on the English track.
No. The decisions are final.
No. The decisions are final.
You will continue your studies on the English track.
Please sign up for the seminar BBN/BBI-AME17-226 “American culture 1” for the spring semester. All accepted students are guaranteed a place in one of the groups, so should the number of students exceed the limits of the groups, the limits will be raised.