Earning a Precious Qualification
Last summer, I was excited to find out that the department from which I earned my BA degree from was collaborating with New York University for an MSc in American Studies. And when I was informed that I could join the programme as an online learner thanks to the pandemic, I just knew I had to apply. And that’s how I became one of the first students of the pioneering MSc American Studies: Politics, Strategy & Economics and a U.S. Embassy Bicentennial Scholar.
Unlike other American Studies programmes, MSc American Studies: Politics, Strategy & Economics by the University of Piraeus and New York University is a comprehensive programme about the politics, history, international relations and economics of the U.S.A. Although it includes cultural and social themes, these consist only a small fraction of what this programme teaches. Here are the modules included in the programme:
- American History: Politics, Culture and Ideology
- America’s Democracy and Political System
- The American Economy: Commerce, Energy and New Technologies
- U.S. Foreign Policy: Alliances, Threats and anti-Americanism
- U.S. National Security
- Transatlantic Relations
- U.S. Policies in the Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East
- Art, Cinema and Popular Culture in America
- MSc Thesis
“The contents and structure of the Master of Science in American Studies has been shaped so as to respond to the special academic and scientific needs born by the understanding, analysis and study of the relations between the U.S.A., Greece and Europe and the role that these relations play in regional and global issues where strategy, politics and the economic interests interact”.
From the 2022 prospectus
The programme is online and full-time only and it includes special events, an international summer school in Hydra and educational trips. The best part is that both current students and alumni are eligible for these perks -for life!
Now, let me share with you my experience as a student of this course.
At first, I was overwhelmed by the big syllabus, which in some cases, includes overlaps. But before the end of the first semester, I actually came to appreciate these features; there was a lot to learn about the United States and its role in the world, while being exposed to professors’ different views about a topic helped me overcome my own insecurities about expressing myself. In fact,active participation in class is strongly encouraged and counts for 10% of the final mark of each module.
Another feature that I have loved is the wide range of assessment methods, which include live open-book exams, take-home exams, essays, presentations, and book summaries. This variety have made things even more intriguing for me. Sure, exam terms were a considerable challenge, but, for some reason, I felt wiser and more capable with every submission.
Speaking of which, I would like to warn you that this course is not a stroll in the park; it is quite challenging indeed, as it includes endless readings and sleepless nights -just as any graduate programme. Yet through this process, my academic skills have dramatically improved.
Interested? The application process is a piece of cake! Just follow this link and you will land on the applications page! To know more about this programme, click here. The final deadline for 2022-2023 admission is 23 September 2022 and non-Greek candidates are welcome!
*This is a non-sponsored post exposing the author’s experiences with the hereby academic programme. For more information on the course, please contact its administrative staff at americanstudies@unipi.gr
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