Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Welcome to the Amerika-Institut!
Who can take classes
at the Amerika-Institut?
The Amerika-Institut comprises two different sections:
American Literary History and American Cultural History. You can choose courses
from both. Any guest
student may take part in classes at the Amerika-Institut (if their home
institutions allow for that); however, preference will be given to those
enrolled in an American Studies program at their home university.
For more information see our website - there is also an english version!
Dr. Charlotte
Lerg
Schellingstr.
3 VG
Raum
202
+49
(0)89 2180-3564
Where can I find out which
courses are on offer?
You can find a list of courses on the institute’s website und "Course Catalogue" or "Vorlesungsverzeichnis". Do NOT click on "Webinfo" but use the pdf versions as those are commented! (including
detailed descriptions, information on teaching-staff and teaching hours
as well as the number of ECTS points awarded).
The new course catalogue for the summer will be online at the beginning of March! Usually
you will find simmelar courses each semster but with the exception of
the introductory lectures (Grundkurs) no courses will be tought two
semsters in a row or even two years in a row.
What are the language
requirements?
Some
classes are taught in English and some in German. You can tell from the
language of the course title and the course description, except for the
introductory lectures (“Grundkurs Amerikanische Kulturgeschichte”) which is announced in German but taught in
English. Whichever class you choose, you have to have a command of that
language at a level that allows you to follow and participate in academic
discourse. Please note that for English we generally require a C1 level!
How to enroll?
Please get in touch with whoever is teaching the class (you can find the name in the course catalogue) in order to inquire if the course is available for you and if there are any prerequites. Please be aware that in some cases, however, final confirmation of participation cannot be given until the general enrollment during the week before the start of the semster.
How to get credit for the course?
In all seminars attendance is mandatory; you are allowed to miss class no
more than three times throughout the semester. You will be required to write a
longer paper (Hausarbeit) and to complete a second assignment, which could be
either an oral presentation, a shorter written piece, or an exam. Your
lecturers will tell you the details at the beginning of the term in each
respective class.
There are no final exams or
grades for lectures (“Vorlesungen”),
with the exception of the “Grundkurs.” If your home institution requires you to
get a grade, please speak to the professor teaching the class in the beginning
of the semester.
Tutorials (“Übungen”) are not graded but work on a
pass/fail basis. To pass you will usually have to complete two smaller assignments,
which could be oral presentations, shorter written pieces, small exams in class,
or a combination of any of these (contact the respective professor for
details). If your home institution requires you to get a grade, please let your
professor know before you hand in your first piece of work.
Special examinations/assignments are possible - if you arrange for them early enough!
The “Grundkurs” is a special case both in Literature and in Cultural
History. As an introductory overview class it is taught as a lecture + tutorial
(“Übung”), but there is a graded exam in the end covering both the lecture and
the tutorial.
General Information for Incoming Erasmus
Students at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Our Intrenational Office is happy to assist you with anything from matriculation to finding a place to live. They also have specific information for incoming Erasmus students.
