Programme description

American Studies is a programme for people interested in the North American region who would like to learn about various social, political, cultural, legal, and civilisation issues in the American continent. What can you expect from this programme? Studying the history of North American countries, specifics of American societies, their cultures and customs, migration processes and religious diversity, as well as issues of internal and external politics of individual countries. Participation in courses in English will additionally allow improving language skills. The best students can apply for student mini-grants.

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Information regarding Faculty

The Faculty of International and Political Studies has the A category granted by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and was awarded for the quality of education by the Polish Accreditation Committee. The Faculty is the most international and interdisciplinary unit at the Jagiellonian University. It offers unique programmes conducted in English, many of which are delivered under agreements with foreign universities. The Faculty provides students with an opportunity to study in a nationally and culturally diverse environment, both in Polish and foreign languages. This creates the space for getting to know each other and supports students' development during their studies and in their professional careers. The Faculty’s complex structure reflects the diversity of scientific research conducted in this unit. Therefore, students have an opportunity to study among specialists dealing with matters from almost every corner of the globe. The American Studies programme is conducted at the Institute of American Studies and Polish Diaspora. The Institute’s main objective is to conduct scientific research in American studies, Polish studies, Ethnic Studies, and Latin American studies.

The Faculty of International and Political Studies headquarters is located in a modern building near the Jagiellonian Library, Błonia, and Jordan Parks. The Faculty has moved to a new facility in 2021, providing students with comfortable conditions and surroundings for studying. The building has four large auditoriums on eight floors, several dozen lecture and seminar rooms, a student zone, and rooms for employees. There is also a Faculty library with a spacious reading room.

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Rankings, distinctions, accreditations

• Scientific category A in the main discipline of Political Science and Public Administration awarded to the Jagiellonian University in Kraków by the decision of the Minister of Education and Science

Curriculum overview

In the programme curriculum, you may find information about the subjects you will attend while studying this programme. The programme indicates which subjects are scheduled for each semester of the studies, which are mandatory, which belong to the group of elective subjects (so-called optional subjects), which of them end with an exam, and which do not. Each subject in such a programme curriculum has its syllabus, which is a description of what students learn within the scope of that subject.

Student’s life

Time spent at the university is not all about education and class participation; it is also an excellent opportunity to develop hobbies and interests. Many research societies and student organizations operate at the Jagiellonian University, including faculty- and university-wide ones. These societies allow students to spend their free time actively, gain knowledge, develop their talents, participate in engaging, unconventional projects, go on research and team-building trips, participate in conferences, and meet fellow students outside the lecture halls. There are many student associations at the Faculty of International and Political Studies, f. e. American Studies Academic Circle.

Students interested in the international dimension of studying can participate in a wide variety of exchange programmes, such as Erasmus+, CEEPUS, exchange programmes in USA and Canada, bilateral exchange programmes, European university Una Europa, or the domestic mobility programme called MOST.

More than just studies

• International scholarships
• American Studies Academic Circle
• Student associations in the Institute of American Studies and Polish Diaspora
• Student associations at the Faculty of International and Political Studies
• Student Government of the Faculty of International and Political Studies

From our students

Piotr
Courses are based on discussions, presentations, and team projects. They allow for improving self-presentation, handout preparation, communication skills, teamwork, and project implementation.

Maja
For students interested in traveling and studying abroad, the Institute offers the Erasmus program and exchange programmes with universities in the US. Close cooperation with the US Consulate in Kraków allows access to their scientific resources and internship offer for students.

Admission to studies

Admission to study programmes at the Jagiellonian University is conducted electronically in the Online Application System: irk.uj.edu.pl. If you have any questions related to admission, please contact the Admissions Office directly or visit the websites: welcome.uj.edu.pl and irk.uj.edu.pl.

Detailed information about admission to this study programme, including information on the method of calculating the result, qualification criteria, fees, deadlines, and a list of required documents are available on the Online Application System (IRK): irk.uj.edu.pl

Transfer from other university or study programme

Transfer from another university, including a foreign one, or change of study programme within the University is possible with the dean's consent after completing the first year of studies and fulfilling additional requirements established by the Faculty Council. For inquiries regarding transfer, please contact the unit responsible for the specific study programme directly.

Graduates

Graduates of American Studies are prepared to work in media, think-tank industry, research units, diplomacy, EU institutions, state administration units, and NGOs. Preparation to work in a multinational, multicultural, and ethnically diverse environment is essential. Graduates can find employment in companies such as IBM Poland, International Papers, State Street, Alexander Mann Solutions, HSBC Bank, or CitiCorp. They are prepared to work in companies with the American capital, Polish, and international companies focused on cooperation with North and Latin America countries.

Further education possibilities

• Doctoral School, f.e. Doctoral School of Social Sciences
• Post diploma programmes
• Second-cycle programmes

What alumni say about us

Alumni Stories: Karol Głogowiecki
I believe that my studies allowed me to grow not only in terms of my professional field, but – perhaps most importantly – in terms of personality. Of course, knowledge about the United States helped me fit in better when travelling to America and get to know Americans. Also the classes I took on cultural studies allowed me to understand how societies function and become more culturally aware. This is very important, working in an international environment.

Alumni Stories: Maciej Smółka
I have plenty of great memories from my time at University, ranging from attending excellent classes to engaging in organizational activities and meeting a lot of fantastic people whom I am still friends with to this day. I feel like it's the combination of all these things that makes me nostalgically look back on my years of studying. Although I probably remember extracurricular activities the best, whether they were social outings, breaks between conference sessions, or discussions with friends after classes.

Offer for school

The following events are conducted in Polish – to find out about the offer for English-speaking audience, please get in touch with the organizer directly. Additionally, due to the current pandemic, some faculty and university events may be canceled or conducted in a form other than that described below.

Institute of American Studies and Polish Diaspora invites you to "Classes for High School” . This offer is addressed to high school students who are going to choose their dream studies, as well as to teachers who would like to support students with their choice. The offer includes lectures conducted by academic teachers, where you will learn more about the Institute. For more information, please visit the website iaisp.uj.edu.pl/lekcja-z-klasa.

We invite all schools to take part in the cycle of meetings "University Closer to You – visits to the Jagiellonian University". The aim of the meetings during the tours is to familiarize students with the history of our University through a rich educational offer (lectures, workshops, laboratory classes, etc.). The current programme of the event is available on the organizer's website – the Centre for Communications and Marketing of the Jagiellonian University.

The Jagiellonian Library offers tours of both the old and new parts of the building. The tour programme includes presentations on the history of the Library and the building itself, as well as a visit to the Department of Depositories. The offer of the Collegium Maius includes lessons on "The Trail of Science" and "The Trail of History and Art," as well as interactive online classes. We also invite you to explore the educational offer of the Botanical Garden, the Nature Education Centre, the Confucius Institute, and the Museum of Anatomy.

Contact

The study programme is conducted at the Institute of American Studies and Polish Diaspora, a unit of the Faculty of International and Political Studies. The Institute is located in the new building, close to the Jagiellonian Library, Jordan Park, and Błonia Park. For more information, please contact:

iaisp.sekretariat@uj.edu.pl

ul. Reymonta 4
30-059 Kraków, Poland
Phone: (+48) 12 663 27 57

iaisp.uj.edu.pl
wsmip.uj.edu.pl

Other programmes that may interest you

• Latin American Studies (Faculty of International and Political Studies) – programme in Polish
• International Cultural Studies (Faculty of International and Political Studies) – programme in Polish
• Interfaculty Individual Studies in the Humanities (Centre for Interdisiciplinary Individual Studies in the Humanities and Social Sciences) – programme in Polish