The Americas Master

Les Amériques is a multi-disciplinary Masters program established by the University of Rennes 2, in partnership with the Rennes Institute of Political Studies (IEP).

Intented for

• Direct access: Students who have graduated with a “licence” (degree) in English, Spanish, Portuguese, English-Spanish or English-Portuguese LEA (Langues Étrangères Appliquées).
• Access through validation: Students who have graduated with a “licence” in literature, geography or history.

Program goals

Les Amériques offers cross-disciplinary instruction focusing on analysis of the geopolitical, economic, and cultural realities of the Americas. Students gain knowledge of past and current events and cultural phenomena, strengthen their analytical skills, and acquire conceptual teaching aids.

Composition of the training

Methodological instruction

Development of research and computer skills and the ability to write critical articles and organize a bibliography.

• 1st semester: writing an “article scientifique,” an extended critical response or an argumentative paper, with an extensive bibliography.
• 2nd semester: developing a set of research questions (a research problematique)

Fundamentals

Exploration of critical literary theory, various approaches to cultural studies, analysis of images and representations.

• 1st semester: sharpening analytical skills, acquiring methods of analyzing legal and political issues.
• 2nd semester: developing an understanding of themes and concepts.
• 3rd semester: analyzing and writing of critical responses and argumentative papers

Specialization

• 1st semester: concentrating on the “realities” of the American continents: the clash between civilizations, implications of the Monroe doctrine.
• 2nd semester: studying identity constructions and literatures of the Americas.
• 3rd semester: exploring great challenges faced by the Americas, new routes of power, the arts and cultures of the Americas.
• 4th semester: writing a Masters thesis and defending it before a committee, or writing a critical article within the frameork of a workshop.

Foreign language requirements

Two languages of the American continent are mandatory: English plus either Spanish or Portuguese. Fluency is not required of students before they enter the program, though students must develop a working knowledge and proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing these languages within the four semesters of the Amériques program .

Course descriptions