Program Overview
This interdisciplinary, two-year MA program is a unique, international study program that prepares graduates for careers in business, administration, diplomacy, policy formulation, and research.
Students learn about EU institutions, European integration, the transatlantic relationship, and comparative welfare states. They focus on the pressing issues Europe faces today such as security, immigration, and economic disparity.
The full-time program consists of four semesters, which are completed at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin's prestigious partner universities: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Bath, Sciences Po Grenoble, and Università degli Studi di Siena.
Study in up to Three Countries
This network of renowned universities gives students the unique opportunity to complete the program at a minimum of two and up to three different sites of their choice in the US and Europe.
All students spend the first semester at the University of North Carolina. They pursue a degree in political science and experience the transatlantic relationship and contemporary Europe from the perspectives of two continents and multiple countries, cultures, and languages.
TAM is a truly international experience with regard to teaching, learning, and living! TAM students can choose to receive a Master’s degree from the University of North Carolina (M. A.), or they may opt for a degree granted by HU Berlin or one of the other European universities.
Academic Schedule
| Semester I | Semester II | Semester III | Semester IV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Module | Core | Specialist I | Specialist II | MA thesis |
| Sites | Chapel Hill | Bath, Berlin, Chapel Hill, Grenoble | Bath, Berlin, Chapel Hill, Grenoble, Siena | Bath, Berlin, Chapel Hill, Grenoble, Siena |
Partner Universities
TransAtlantic Masters is operated by the universities of the European American University Consortium:
- University of North Carolina | www.unc.edu
- University of Bath | www.bath.ac.uk
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin | www.hu-berlin.de
- Sciences Po Grenoble | www.sciencespo-grenoble.fr
- Università degli Studi de Siena | www.unisi.it
Language Policy at Humboldt-Universität
At Humboldt-Universität it is possible to study in German (TAM-German track) as well as in English (TAM-English track). Students have the largest range of options if they can study in both languages. Half of the compulsory classes are taught in English and the other half are offered in German. In consultation with the program directors, it is possible to replace compulsory courses with courses of comparable content in the chosen language from the regular course offerings. In agreement with the teachers, assignments can generally be submitted in German or English, regardless of the course language.
TAM-German-Track |
TAM-English-Track |
|
Specialist Module I (summer semester) |
|
| Compulsary Course – European Government Systems in Comparison (DE) | Substitute Compulsary Course – (EN) |
| Substitute Compulsary Course – (DE) | Compulsary Course – Foreign and Security Policies in Europe (EN) |
| Elective Course - Facets of Europeanization (DE / EN) | |
| Specialist Module II (winter semester) | |
| Compulsary Course – Democracy and Democratization in Europe (DE) | Substitute Compulsary Course – (EN) |
| Substitute Compulsary Course – (DE) | Compulsary Course – Europes Borders and Neighbours |
| Elective Course - Facets of Europeanization (DE / EN) | |
The Berlin Modules
After a pre-semester orientation module the second semester, the Specialist Module I at Humboldt-Universität focuses on „Comparative European Governments“ and „Foreign and Security Policy in Europe“. During the third semester, the Specialist Module II concentrates on „Democracy and Democratization in Europe“ and „Europe’s Borders and Neighbors“. In addition, students can choose elective courses from the broad course catalogue of all the universities in Berlin to deepen their knowledge of the many facets of transatlantic relations and Europeanization.
Specialist Module I
Comparative European Government
Systematic comparison of liberal Western democracies concerning typologies of institutional settings, decisionmaking structures and the processes and various types of actors involved in modern mass democracies.
Foreign and Security Policy in Europe
Analysis of EU foreign policy, including the comparison of nation-state, supranational and inter-governmental approaches.
Facets of Europeanization
Elective chosen from the course catalogues of either Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Specialist Module II
Democracy and Democratization in Europe
Investigation of social, economic and political changes as an outcome of democratization processes in Europe, by reflecting on examples from Western, Central and Eastern Europe.
Europe’s Borders and Neighbors
Discussion of EU-enlargement regarding policies and consequences. Analysis of instruments such as the European Neighborhood Policy or regional EU-initiatives.
Facets of Europeanization
Elective chosen from the course catalogues of either Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
For information on the other sites' modules visit the TAM website at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.