English Philology: American Studies / British Studies / English for Teachers

At the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz English Philology comprises three fields: American Studies and British Studies, leading to Bachelor of Arts degree, and English for Teachers, leading to the degree of Bachelor of Education. The corresponding Master degree programs will be offered as from WS 2009/10. In the Bachelor of Arts program, American Studies and British Studies can be studied as majors and minors respectively. To qualify for a PhD, a candidate, as a rule, must have obtained one of the following degrees: the state exam for teachers, and the degree of Magister or Master. These fields provide, on an inter-disciplinary basis, broad insight into the linguistic, literary and cultural heritage and special features of English speaking countries in past and present. Students of American Studies focus on the USA and Canada, and students of British Studies on Great Britain and Ireland, whereas students in the teacher‘s program for Bachelor and Master deal in addition to these disciplines with English linguistics and didactics. Besides the above-named countries, other Anglophone countries and regions like Australia, New Zeeland and the Caribbean are also considered in these studies. Prominent features of these interdisciplinary and integrated programs of English at Mainz University, which have given her a prominent position in university rankings, are the following:

1. A wide offer of courses in American Studies, British Studies and English Linguistics that complement one another
2. Well-structured course programs in American and British cultural studies for the Bachelor and Master degrees, also serving students for the teacher‘s degrees
3. A tested system of language instruction in which students perfect their spoken and written English 
4. All courses are conducted exclusively in English. High proficiency of English is therefore essential at the commencement of studies.
5. Numerous exchange programs especially with universities in the USA, Canada and Great Britain. Students are given intensive counseling in all stages of their studies, especially when planning and realizing the mandatory sojourn of at least three months in an English speaking country.
6. Extensive reading is required on the part of the students.
7. Guarantee of solid academic, inter-cultural training, opening a wide range of careers in the public sector and more.