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Typical week in the first semester
Below you'll find a schedule of what a typical week looks like in the first semester of the NAS B.A. program.
The mandatory UNA module is combined with an orientation module in your first discipline, and on Wednesday evenings you'll head over to the lecture hall for the interdisciplinary lecture series, attended by B.A. and M.A. students – as well as a few professors! Afterwards there's a regular Stammtisch back at the JFK-I Caféte, where you can hang out with your cohort and discuss the week's lecture. There's plenty of time for independent study at the university's multiple libraries, or to become involved in one of the many extracurricular programs offered by the FU.
Click on any of the activities below to learn more about university life at the John F. Kennedy Institute.
| Zeit | Mo | Di | Mi | Do | Fr | Sa | So |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral and Writing Skills 1 | First weekly session Reading Volunteer Shift in the JFK-I Studentcafe (Caféte) |
Orientation 1st Discipline | for example: Introduction to Political Science: Theories, Methods, Research Design University Sport | for example: sailing Library |
Tutorium Understanding North America (UNA) A | for example: tutorium in cultural studies University canteen Library Multidisciplinary Orientation | for example: Interdisciplinary lecture series "Popular Culture, Media, and Politics in the US" JFK-I Stammtisch at the Institute |
Oral and Writing Skills 1 | Second weekly session Reading JFKI Film Club |
Understanding North America (UNA) A | for example: lecture in history University canteen Understanding North America (UNA) A | for example: lecture in literature |
Reading |
Excellent English skills (C1) are a basic requirement for the admission to the B.A. in North American Studies. Additionally, the program fosters further sophistication through two Language Skills courses, offered by the FU Language Center. These courses focus on pronounciation, oral and writing skills, as well as listening and reading skills. A particular concentration is the spoken and written use of academic English. Participation is mandatory for students of North American Studies.
- Language Skills (offered at the FU Language Center, total 10 CP)
- Oral Skills and Writing Skills A (5 CP)
- Oral Skills and Writing Skills B (5 CP)
Examplary Course Content
Oral and Writing Skills A (WS 2014/15)
1. Language focus:
- Pronunciation practice
- Grammar: Tense and aspect, modals, nouns, determiners, adjectives & adverbs, prepositions.
2. Writing strategies:
organising written material within an effective logical structure and in an appropriate format; using transitional devices for cohesion; modulating attitude and opinion.
3. Oral strategies:
taking lecture notes, asking questions, explaining concepts, participating in discussion.
4. Learning strategies:
vocabulary development; the use of dictionaries and works of reference; reading techniques; drafting and planning strategies; proofreading and reviewing strategies.
North American Studies is rooted in the humanities and social sciences. Therefore it requires a lot of reading. Studying research papers, newspaper articles, books and primary sources is part of every students' week. Most of the reading material is provided online, while books can also be accessed through the institute's library. Particularly in Cultural Studies, movies, videogames, and online content are necessary complements to traditional academic sources.
The heart of the student life at the JFKI is located in the basement: the Caféte. Usually open from 12 am to 4pm (sometimes even later!), the Caféte is a non-commercial café, run by students, for students. Most of the activities at the JFKI are held at the Caféte and organized by the people who volunteer there. The Caféte, with its comfy sofas and couches, is the perfect place for relaxing between classes, meeting other people, and discussing things like your last visit to the Berghain or that awesome road trip on Highway 1 ('like, soooo amazing, dude...'). The Caféte offers tasty fair-trade coffee and tea, gourmet sandwiches and sweets and an eclectic mix of music chosen by those who cover the current shift.
Since the Caféte is run on a voluntary basis, we are always looking for people to cover a shift at the Caféte. Usually, two people cover a weekly two-hour shift. As students of the higher cohorts often leave the institute temporarily to study abroad, the Caféte relies particularly on the support of first semester students, who take advantage of their shifts to get to know their peers.
Students are required to complete three orientation modules in three of the six respective disciplines of the institute. The module focuses on promoting an independent approach to central terms, theories, and methods of the individual discipline. This usually works through discussing a concrete research question towards North American history, culture, literature, politics, society, or economy.
- orientation module history (10 CP)
- orientation module culture (10 CP)
- orientation module literature (10 CP)
- orientation module political science (10 CP)
- orientation module sociology (10 CP)
- orientation module economy (10 CP)
Orientation, advanced, and associated modules usually consist of two seminars. There are two types of credit for these classes: “active participation,” which remains without a grade (equivalent to 3 ECTS points), and "Leistungsschein," which is graded based both on active participation and a written exam / term paper / oral exam (equivalent to 7 ECTS points). Here, students can choose from a range of topics and courses offered.
Exemplary Course in the Orientation Module Political Science
Introduction to Political Science: Theories, Methods, Research Design (WS 2019/20)
The class is an undergraduate-level introduction to empirical research in social science. Students will learn how to pose focused research questions, develop answers with theoretical frameworks, formulate and refine concepts, construct valid and reliable measures, and finally to gather data. While other methodology courses teach students how to analyze data, this class emphasizes development of research questions and gathering high quality data for answering them. My goals are for students to understand 1) different styles of political science research, 2) the primary methodological issues surrounding each style of research, and 3) general standards for evaluating research. This course is only an introduction to these subjects. Mastering the application of research methodology - and understanding how to deal with the substance and art of the discipline - comes through repeated application and experience.
Exemplary Course in the Orientation Module Economics
Economic Reasoning (WS 2019/20)
This course offers students an introduction to general economic concepts and principles. Starting from the basic ideas of tradeoffs, opportunity cost, and trade, students will study how the market forces of supply and demand cause prices to be what they are. Students will learn how different market structures and particular government economic policies can affect economic performance. The aggregate economy is analyzed using the national income and product accounting framework of macroeconomics. International trade and economic growth over the long run provide the two major themes of macroeconomics for course discussions. At the end of the course, students will have a basic understanding of economic principles, mechanisms and debates. Students will learn to draw economic policy inferences and to recognize the potential constraints in their implementation. They will think critically about the limits of the various models and verify if the respective model fits the situation they are explaining.
The universities' sports program provides more than a 120 different activities and up to 800 individual events per semester. Whoever wants to stay active during their time at university will find something here from individual courses, to competitions, workshops, and trips to outdoor sports destinations. In addition, the central university sports department of the Free University of Berlin offers a differentiated program in the field of health fundamentals as well as services and advisory services for university members. Because it is funded through the university, the sports program provided by the "Hochschulsport" is often much more affordable for students than privat course offers.
Beyond competion sports, the university's sports program should help students to find the time to exercise and focus on their body. It is furthermore a great way to get to know your peers and students from other faculties. Ballet, sailing, or volleyball a just a few examples of the extensive list of activities that are offered.
Following up on a topic of seminar, preparing a presentation or exam, or finishing off a "Hausarbeit" (term paper)? The libraries of the Freie Universität will be your prime destination for any kind of studying. The staff of the library is making sure to provide the perfect environment for this. Working spaces, computers, and printers are accessible to all students of the FU. The library therefore is were students spend the most time to prepare for classes, particularly if they do not enjoy working at home so much, but also to access all kinds of material related to their studies. The ECTS-points ("Leistungspunkte") that are provided for every course indicate how many hours of preparation, i.e. workload, the respective seminar requires. The time spend for preparation of a course, either at home or in the library, are an essential part of the program and should thereby be recognized when organizing your weekly schedule.
With 15 different libraries at the Freie Universität - some of them just recently built according to most modern standards - students can easily alternate between libraries. The John F. Kennedy Institute's very own library however remains among the favorite's among the FU's student body. Besides spacious working environments, the library has the largest research collection for North American Studies in all of Europe. This means a lot of English reading material from newspapers, to journals and books are provided on site. Additonally, the library contains a large collection of movies and a TV room.
General information about the universities libraries can be found here: https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/einrichtungen/bibliotheken/index.html
UNA-A (UNA A1) consists of two components: lectures and tutorials. The tutorials, in contrast to the lecture, provide a forum to discuss select issues in depth. You will have the chance to revisit the content of each lecture, but also to dive into specific materials and issues in smaller group discussions. The teaching assistants who organize the tutorials will assist students in their preparation for the final written exam at the end of the term. A central goal of UNA-A is to enable students to critically investigate and analyze North American societies of the past and present from an interdisciplinary angle. At the same time, the course covers the methodological and theoretical basics of each contributing discipline, thus enabling students to make conscious decisions about their future areas of concentration at the John F. Kennedy Institute.
Students at a university in Berlin have access to affordable food options throughout the city in the "Studierendenwerk"'s dining facilities. The closest canteen to the JFKI is less than 10 minutes away and serves culinary and social needs equally. Beyond enjoying the "Mensa"'s diverse food options, students meet here to hang out, organize, discuss, and talk to each other. The Mensas offer extensive information regarding allergics as well as vegan and vegetarian options.
Following up on a topic of seminar, preparing a presentation or exam, or finishing off a "Hausarbeit" (term paper)? The libraries of the Freie Universität will be your prime destination for any kind of studying. The staff of the library is making sure to provide the perfect environment for this. Working spaces, computers, and printers are accessible to all students of the FU. The library therefore is were students spend the most time to prepare for classes, particularly if they do not enjoy working at home so much, but also to access all kinds of material related to their studies. The ECTS-points ("Leistungspunkte") that are provided for every course indicate how many hours of preparation, i.e. workload, the respective seminar requires. The time spend for preparation of a course, either at home or in the library, are an essential part of the program and should thereby be recognized when organizing your weekly schedule.
With 15 different libraries at the Freie Universität - some of them just recently built according to most modern standards - students can easily alternate between libraries. The John F. Kennedy Institute's very own library however remains among the favorite's among the FU's student body. Besides spacious working environments, the library has the largest research collection for North American Studies in all of Europe. This means a lot of English reading material from newspapers, to journals and books are provided on site. Additonally, the library contains a large collection of movies and a TV room.
General information about the universities libraries can be found here: https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/einrichtungen/bibliotheken/index.html
For the Multidisciplinary Orientation Modules, students will take part in the multidisciplinary lecture series ("Ringvorlesung") which is offered every winter Semester. Students must either attend one "Ringvorlesung" and the Advanced Advanced Writing Skills course of the FU Language Center, or particpate in two multidisciplinary lecture series ("Ringvorlesungen").
- Multidisciplinary Orientation Module A (5 CP) OR
- Multidisciplinary Orientation Module B (5 CP) OR
- Advanced Advanced Writing Skills (5 CP) [offered at the FU Language Center]
Exemplary Course in the Multidisciplinary Orientation Module A ("Ringvorlesung")
Popular Culture, Media, and Politics in the US (WS 2019/20)
The interdisciplinary lecture series will zoom in on popular forms of culture, media, and politics in the US in the past and present. It brings together scholars both from the social sciences and the humanities, to explore practices and aesthetics of US popular culture and its global reach and to examine forms of political communication and the relationships between popular media and politics. The series will analyze changes that have occurred in the US media system over the past decades and centuries, while investigating the cultures and media of populism at various historical moments as well as the current resurgence of populist rhetoric and political styles. The interdisciplinary lens is specifically aimed at the intersection of popular culture, diverse forms of media representation, and the political landscape of the US.
The John F. Kennedy thrives on its active student body. At the "Stammtisch", students of all semesters congregate in the Caféte to discuss anything from politics to the best Späti beer - of course this is strictly voluntary.
Excellent English skills (C1) are a basic requirement for the admission to the B.A. in North American Studies. Additionally, the program fosters further sophistication through two Language Skills courses, offered by the FU Language Center. These courses focus on pronounciation, oral and writing skills, as well as listening and reading skills. A particular concentration is the spoken and written use of academic English. Participation is mandatory for students of North American Studies.
- Language Skills (offered at the FU Language Center, total 10 CP)
- Oral Skills and Writing Skills A (5 CP)
- Oral Skills and Writing Skills B (5 CP)
Examplary Course Content
Oral and Writing Skills A (WS 2014/15)
1. Language focus:
- Pronunciation practice
- Grammar: Tense and aspect, modals, nouns, determiners, adjectives & adverbs, prepositions.
2. Writing strategies:
organising written material within an effective logical structure and in an appropriate format; using transitional devices for cohesion; modulating attitude and opinion.
3. Oral strategies:
taking lecture notes, asking questions, explaining concepts, participating in discussion.
4. Learning strategies:
vocabulary development; the use of dictionaries and works of reference; reading techniques; drafting and planning strategies; proofreading and reviewing strategies.
North American Studies is rooted in the humanities and social sciences. Therefore it requires a lot of reading. Studying research papers, newspaper articles, books and primary sources is part of every students' week. Most of the reading material is provided online, while books can also be accessed through the institute's library. Particularly in Cultural Studies, movies, videogames, and online content are necessary complements to traditional academic sources.
Watch movies with people from the institute, be they Master or Bachelor people and then talk and analyze them at your own wish … and peril! Organized by two of our very own Master students - and always open to film suggestions and new members.
This comprehensive course introduces students to the fundamentals of the interdisciplinary field of North American Studies. "Understanding North America" (UNA) follows a two-semester format, with the first part (UNA-A) covering the disciplines of literary studies, cultural studies, and history. The second part (UNA-B) will be offered during the next summer term and expands the overall framework with the disciplinary perspectives of sociology, economics, and political science. While UNA is one of the most challenging courses at the John F. Kennedy-Institute, it will reward students with insights into multiple disciplines along with a solid foundation of knowledge and skills for further studies.
UNA-A consists of two components: lectures and tutorials. The lectures offer an overview of central developments, concepts, and questions of American culture, literature, and history. A central goal of UNA-A is to enable students to critically investigate and analyze North American societies of the past and present from an interdisciplinary angle. At the same time, the course covers the methodological and theoretical basics of each contributing discipline, thus enabling students to make conscious decisions about their future areas of concentration at the John F. Kennedy Institute.
The course is graded in a final exam.
Students at a university in Berlin have access to affordable food options throughout the city in the "Studierendenwerk"'s dining facilities. The closest canteen to the JFKI is less than 10 minutes away and serves culinary and social needs equally. Beyond enjoying the "Mensa"'s diverse food options, students meet here to hang out, organize, discuss, and talk to each other. The Mensas offer extensive information regarding allergics as well as vegan and vegetarian options.
This comprehensive course introduces students to the fundamentals of the interdisciplinary field of North American Studies. "Understanding North America" (UNA) follows a two-semester format, with the first part (UNA-A) covering the disciplines of literary studies, cultural studies, and history. The second part (UNA-B) will be offered during the next summer term and expands the overall framework with the disciplinary perspectives of sociology, economics, and political science. While UNA is one of the most challenging courses at the John F. Kennedy-Institute, it will reward students with insights into multiple disciplines along with a solid foundation of knowledge and skills for further studies.
UNA-A consists of two components: lectures and tutorials. The lectures offer an overview of central developments, concepts, and questions of American culture, literature, and history. A central goal of UNA-A is to enable students to critically investigate and analyze North American societies of the past and present from an interdisciplinary angle. At the same time, the course covers the methodological and theoretical basics of each contributing discipline, thus enabling students to make conscious decisions about their future areas of concentration at the John F. Kennedy Institute.
The course is graded in a final exam.
North American Studies is rooted in the humanities and social sciences. Therefore it requires a lot of reading. Studying research papers, newspaper articles, books and primary sources is part of every students' week. Most of the reading material is provided online, while books can also be accessed through the institute's library. Particularly in Cultural Studies, movies, videogames, and online content are necessary complements to traditional academic sources.