North American Studies

• (R) Academic Work and Research

  0175dC1.1
  • 32204 Colloquium
    BA Colloquium Literature/Culture (Lea Espinoza Garrido)
    Schedule: Mi 10:00-12:00 (Class starts on: 2025-10-15)
    Location: 203 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Comments

    This course is designed to support students preparing for or in the process of writing their bachelor’s thesis in literary and cultural studies. In the first half of the semester, we will focus on central aspects of research in these fields: finding suitable topics, engaging with critical debates, selecting appropriate theoretical and methodological frameworks, developing a thesis statement, and refining academic writing practices. The second half of the semester will center on student presentations of their projects and work-in-progress, with plenty of opportunities for feedback and discussions. Regular attendance and active participation (including short preparatory assignments) are expected. In addition, each student will present a tentative project description for participation credit. If you want to participate and receive credits for this course, please take note of the following conditions for participation: 1. Register on Blackboard for this class – this is where you will find further information as well as reading material. 2. The shopping period is limited to week one, and you must commit to the class by our second meeting.

  • 32503 Colloquium
    BA Colloquium Political Science, Sociology, History, Economics (David Bosold)
    Schedule: Do 12:00-14:00 (Class starts on: 2025-10-16)
    Location: 203 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)
    

    Comments

    This colloquium seeks to prepare you for the final stage of your study program, the writing of the BA thesis. Content-wise, the sessions are held in a blended format of discussions, input and student writing time. Aspects that will be addressed include the technicalities of writing a BA thesis (finding supervisors, registering the thesis, deadlines), criteria of good scientific practice, ethical aspects of research as well as basic techniques of scientific research such as the correct use of citations and referencing of sources. The class will also feature a brief introduction to Endnote and the electronic resources provided by Freie Universität’s library system. Sessions will be devoted to (a) discussing your own research ideas for the BA thesis in small groups, (b) working on and refining your research question/research design, (c) preparing a literature review on your thesis topic and (d) writing a draft introduction. At the end of the colloquium you are expected to present your project idea and research question (“pitch”) in front of your classmates and the (prospective) supervisor.

• Modules w/o courses in this semester

  20 Modules
  • Specialization Module A - History: History of North America to 1865 0175dB1.1
  • Specialization Module B - History: Historiography of North American History 0175dB1.2
  • Specialization Module A - Culture: Ideas and Cultural History of Specific Media 0175dB2.1
  • Specialization Module B - Culture: Theories of American Culture and History of Ethnic, Regional, and Gender-Specific Cultures 0175dB2.2
  • Specialization Module A - Literature: Literary Periods 0175dB3.1
  • Specialization Module B - Literature: Literary Genres 0175dB3.2
  • Specialization Module A - Politics: Policies and Politics 0175dB4.1
  • Specialization Module B - Politics: The State and Civil Society 0175dB4.2
  • Specialization Module A - Sociology: Social Structures 0175dB5.1
  • Specialization Module B - Sociology: Social Processes 0175dB5.2
  • Specialisation Module A - Economy: Growth, Distribution, and the Economic Situation in North America 0175dB6.1
  • Specialization Module B - Economics: Economic History and Financial Markets 0175dB6.2
  • Orientation Module: History 0175dA3.1
  • Orientation Module: Culture 0175dA3.2
  • Orientation Module: Literature 0175dA3.3
  • Orientation Module: Politics 0175dA3.4
  • Orientation Module: Sociology 0175dA3.5
  • Orientation Module: Economics 0175dA3.6
  • Related module 1 0489aA1.1
  • Related module 2 0489aA1.2