Certificate in Inter-American Cultural Studies

• The certified specialization "Inter-American Cultural Studies" is aimed at students of all fields of study in the humanities and social sciences at the University of Graz as an additional qualification in the form of a free elective specialization.
• The relevance of Inter-American Studies as a subject area becomes particularly relevant in the context of current developments on a global level such as transnational migration. These developments determine the construction and transformation of cultural identities and call into question common conceptualizations of the "self" and the "other". In the European context, too, the points of reference are shifting in the course of negotiating a "European identity" (alongside national and regional identities), meaning that academic perspectives must also be redefined. Therefore, for European students of Inter-American Studies, the "Americanism" of America and changing notions of "self" and "other" are of great interest, as they could promote the rethinking of established categories. The certified free elective subject "Inter-American Cultural Studies" offers an overview of relevant topics in this new field of research and aims to strengthen students' reflective skills.

• Deepening general knowledge about the continent of America
• Consolidation of analytical skills with regard to cultural representations of America
• Strengthen reflection skills
• Insight into fundamental questions of transatlantic relations

The free elective specialization consists exclusively of compulsory subjects and comprises a total of 20 ECTS credits.

• Multimedia supported lecture
• Discussions about reading tasks
• Working in small groups
• Online support for students
• Implementation of projects during the lessons

(1) Students who complete this specialization as part of the free elective subjects receive a total of 20 ECTS credits and a certificate of academic achievement.
(2) Certificates are issued by the responsible head of the free elective area

This specialization is open to all students of the Faculties of Social Sciences, Humanities, Environmental Sciences, Land Sciences, Education and Catholic Theology as well as students of all teacher training subjects and interdisciplinary studies in the humanities and social sciences, such as gender studies.

The courses in the specialization can be completed over the course of two academic years if required.

(1) The head of the Center for Inter-American Studies at the University of Graz is responsible for coordinating the content of the free elective specialization.
(2) The management and organization of the free elective focus is the responsibility of the management of the Center for Inter-American Studies at the University of Graz.
(3) Courses that are not offered by the Center for Inter-American Studies itself are assigned in coordination with the responsible CUKOS.
(4) The courses to be completed will be published on the homepage of the certified specialization area before the start of the academic year.