Master of Arts (MA) Program
Graduates of the two-year tuition-free American Studies MA program at the ASC are equipped with specialized knowledge to understand the various cultural and social phenomena of the Western Hemisphere, those of the United States of North America and selected countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. They also have systematized and specialized knowledge of the terminology, theory, and methodology of interdisciplinary American Studies concerned with both Americas, North and South.
What you will learn
Thanks to the interdisciplinary curriculum, the graduates of the American Studies Center can not only recognize and understand the facts and processes of American traditions and societies but also collect, combine, interpret them and on their basis offer their judgments and opinions. They can explain, critically and creatively, the phenomena and processes observable in both Americas. They know how to acquire knowledge on their own and develop their research skills. The MA graduates can communicate with specialists in American studies and related fields using various communication channels and techniques. They know how promote knowledge about the US, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the entire Western Hemisphere. They can communicate in written and spoken English in the field of American studies at the B2+ level. They can write end-of-semester research papers and an MA thesis in expert English, using specialized terminology, and relying on interdisciplinary research methods. Our graduates have a good command of basic Spanish, at least at the A2.1 level, and in the course of studies they can choose to specialize in Latin America and the Caribbean region.
MA graduates have skills and competences allowing them to launch their careers in an array of professions-in business, foreign trade, journalism, media, culture, education, administration, foreign service and international organizations, as well as tourism. Besides, our alumni are ready to constantly develop and update their skills and they are encouraged during their studies to continue further their professional and academic development. They have skills and methodological competence to continue their studies at the doctoral and postgraduate levels.
MA graduates have skills and competences allowing them to launch their careers in an array of professions – in business, foreign trade, journalism, media, culture, education, administration, foreign service and international organizations, as well as tourism.-
- What is the limit for the number of places available in the year 2018-2019 in the MA program?
We are allowed to admit 80 candidates, 6 of whom must be candidates undertaking studies on different terms than those applicable to Polish nationals (2 places for students studying for two different degrees and 1 places for students transferred from other universities). - Do I have to register for the exam, besides registering in the IRK online system?
No, there is no need to do that. By registering in the IRK online system, you automatically register for the exam. - If I am travelling on the day of the exam or because of some other reason simply can’t show up for the exam, is there a way for me to take the entrance exam online from a distance?
No, to be admitted to the MA program you have to show up in person and take the exam on June 26, 2018 or on September 11, 2018, but we do not guarantee if the second admission tour will be organized. - The entrance exam predates my BA diploma exam. Can I take the entrance exam anyway?
Yes. Just be sure to file your diploma or a certificate attesting to the completion of the BA exam by September 30, 2018. The diploma is necessary for the admission to become complete; only after you submit all the required documents, the diploma included, will we be able to issue an official decision.
- What is the limit for the number of places available in the year 2018-2019 in the MA program?
Schedule
Program downloads
Course catalogues
Over the years the American Studies Center has offered a variety of courses for students to choose from. The catalogues are a quick and convenient tool to browse through the Center’s course offerings at the particular point in time.
Download The Latest Course Catalogue
Previous Catalogues
Class Attendance Rules
A student enrolled in an ASC class is allowed to miss no more than two class meetings in a given semester (no medical documentation is required). In case of further absences medical documentation must be presented to the instructor and the student is obliged to arrange with the instructor how to make up for the classes missed. If absences are due to causes other than illness (eg. travel for research purposes), the student should notify the teacher at least a week before the planned absence and make arrangements concerning the required make-up work. Absences due to research travel require written support from MA supervisor. Instructors have the right to fail students who have missed more than two class meetings for reasons not related to health.
NOTE: The above rules concern electives, proseminars and seminars in both the BA and the MA program; they do not concern lecture courses.
Schedules of makeup exams
Dear Students,
We would like to remind you that, despite the fact that at the ASC we have an annual system of checking students’ transcripts, you are obliged to get credits for the courses and lectures which took place during the winter semester till the end of the make up session at the latest. Moreover, it is your task to make sure that grades in your USOS file and in your student’s book (indeks) are identical. When they are not you have to resolve the differences directly with the lecturers. According to the new university rules, grades entered into the USOS system serve as the basic documentation of your achievements. Besides, there is no possibility to enter the grades into the USOS system retroactively, so please make sure that all of them are in place by the end of the make up session.
MA Examinations
- Guidelines for BA & MA Exams
- Zasady przygotowania, składania i oceniana pracy magisterskiej oraz egzaminu magisterskiego w OSA UW
- Pytania egzaminów magisterskich obowiązujące od roku 2017-2018 w OSA UW
- Zakresy tematyczne do egzaminów magisterskich w CESLA UW
- Deklaracja
- Załącznik – Konstrukcja stron pierwszych OSA MGR od 2016
- Załącznik – Konstrukcja stron pierwszych OSA MGR 2012-2015
- Załącznik – Konstrukcja stron pierwszych CESLA MGR 2015-2017
- Załącznik – Plagiatowanie
- Dane osobowe abiturienta OSA UW
- Academic Writing at the ASC – A Handbook
The deadlines for the submission of MA and BA theses as well as the planned dates of BA and MA exams at the ASC UW
Dear Students,
Below you will find the deadlines for the submission of MA and BA theses as well as the planned dates of BA and MA exams at the ASC UW in the academic year 2019/2020:
- The deadline to submit a thesis: by March 4, 2020
The exam dates: March 27, 2020 - The deadline to submit a thesis: by June 4, 2020
The exam dates: June 29-30, July 1-3, 2020 - The deadline to submit a thesis: by September 3, 2020
The exam dates: September 22-24, 2020 - The deadline to submit a thesis: by December 3, 2020
The exam dates: December 18, 2020
I would like to emphasize that the ASC Director as well as the ASC Students’ Office will strictly adhere to the above deadlines and will not make any exceptions. Failure to submit a thesis by June 4, 2020 will irreversibly result in postponing of a BA or MA exam until the end of September 2020.
You are being informed about the planned exam dates and submission deadlines well ahead of time so you may consider them making plans for holidays and further education.
Sincerely,
Dr. Małgorzata Gajda-Łaszewska
Counselor for Students’ Affairs
ASC UW
Open Academic Sessions (OZN)
WHAT IS IT AND HOW TO GET CREDIT?
Each ASC student receives an OZN card. The purpose of this requirement is to enhance ASC students’ intellectual development through participation in a variety of extracurricular academic activities: public lectures, debates, seminars, or cultural events such as film festivals. While the OZN calendar is kept full by the coordinator, many OZN events are suggested by faculty and students. We strongly encourage student initiative – the whole point is for you to attend events that interest you. The OZN requirement is 60 points for BA studies and 30 points for MA studies (see tables with grading below). In most cases, 1 OZN is awarded for 45 minutes of an academic activity. Each ASC student receives an OZN card where events should be listed. Each event should be signed by the organizer or a member of ASC faculty present.
OZN events include the following:
- All guest lectures, conferences, and seminars held at the ASC. We especially recommend the American Studies Colloquium Series.
- Outside events announced on the OZN notice board on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OZN.OSA.UW/
- Events suggested by students and approved by the OZN coordinator. In order to suggest an event, send a link to the coordinator via the OZN facebook page (send a message) at least a week in advance. It will be posted for all to see.
- Sometimes we recommend movies (esp. documentaries) for 1 OZN (2 if there is a discussion or a panel).
- We usually do not approve ASC events after the fact. If a signature cannot be obtained, you may visit the OZN coordinator during her office hours within 14 days of the event and get her signature.
- Active participation in academic conferences (presenting a paper at a conference during the studies fulfills the entire OZN requirement with an excellent grade [5]). More information about upcoming conferences: http://unikonferencje.pl
- Publications in academic journals (an article in a serious journal i.e. one that has an ISSN number and publishes regularly, an article has to be in Polish or English and concern American or cultural studies) fulfills the entire OZN requirement with an excellent grade [5]).
- Publications in WASP, the ASC student journal. Editors of the journal negotiate the number of OZN points with the coordinator.
- Participation in ASC Student Seminars (Koło Naukowe) and Research Groups (Grupy Badawcze) (organizers receive double number of points). Groups’ supervisors decide exact number of points.
- When announced: help with conference organization at the ASC.
- When announced: help in organizing ASC academic events or work on the ASC website/Facebook profile.
- When approved: help in research by an ASC faculty.
- In special cases: additional elective courses or OGUNs in place of OZNs (ECTS count must be equivalent). Note that this option requires getting permission from the Counselor for Students’ Affairs.
- In special cases: work-study programs at institutions such as the American Embassy.
NOTE: OZN points are not attached to any single semester–you should collect them and receive credit throughout your studies.
The Transatlantic Symposium
The Transatlantic Symposium is a program of academic exchange inaugurated by Prof. Reinhard Isensee at Humboldt University Berlin in cooperation with international partners in 2003. The University of Warsaw American Studies Center joined the program in 2012 and has been a regular partner ever since. As of 2011, Oregon State University at Corvallis has been the Symposium’s regular US partner. Former European and American partners include Bard College, Georgetown University, Viadrina University, University of Wroclaw, and American University in Bulgaria.
Each Symposium encompasses a graduate student conference, addressed primarily to M.A. students, and a study tour. At the conference, students present papers on the topic of that year’s Symposium. The tour includes meetings with representatives of national agencies, local government officials, and non-governmental organizations, as well as museum visits and other activities. The tour and the conference are coordinated by student organizers from participating universities with faculty supervision. The week-long program offers participants ample opportunity to engage in knowledge exchange.
The Symposium locations alternate between the United States (in even years) and Europe (in odd years). The Symposium traditionally takes place in the last week of March.
The Symposium is preceded by a series of pre-departure seminars starting in the fall. These seminars help students prepare their presentations and get ready for the trip. Participation in the Symposium is decided on a competitive basis whenever the number of interested candidates exceeds the available slots. In the past, the number of participating UW ASC students oscillated between 2 and 8, averaging between 4 and 5.
The ASC makes every effort to reduce the cost of participation to the students. While the cost incurred by students has decreased over the years, this depends on the funding available that year.
The UW ASC coordinator is Dr. Tomasz Basiuk.
DOWNLOADS
THE OZN GRADE
Depends on the number of hours:
M.A. students:
| HOURS | GRADE |
|---|---|
| 30–33 | dostateczny (3)) |
| 34–39 | dostateczny plus (3+)) |
| 40–43 | dobry (4)) |
| 44–49 | dobry plus (4+)) |
| 50 | bardzo dobry (5)) |
Contact
dr Małgorzata Gajda-Łaszewska
ASC Counselor for Students’ Affairs
+48 22 55 333 19
Room 303