Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - Department of Social Sciences

Program Overview

This interdisciplinary, two-year MA program is a unique, international study program that prepares graduates for careers in business, administration, diplomacy, policy formulation, and research.

Students learn about EU institutions, European integration, the transatlantic relationship, and comparative welfare states. They focus on the pressing issues Europe faces today such as security, immigration, and economic disparity.

The full-time program consists of four semesters, which are completed at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin's prestigious partner universities: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Bath, Sciences Po Grenoble, and Università degli Studi di Siena.

Study in up to Three Countries

This network of renowned universities gives students the unique opportunity to complete the program at a minimum of two and up to three different sites of their choice in the US and Europe.

All students spend the first semester at the University of North Carolina. They pursue a degree in political science and experience the transatlantic relationship and contemporary Europe from the perspectives of two continents and multiple countries, cultures, and languages.

TAM is a truly international experience with regard to teaching, learning, and living!  TAM students can choose to receive a Master’s degree from the University of North Carolina (M. A.), or they may opt for a degree granted by HU Berlin or one of the other European universities.

Academic Schedule

  Semester I Semester II Semester III Semester IV
Module Core Specialist I Specialist II MA thesis
Sites Chapel Hill Bath, Berlin, Chapel Hill, Grenoble Bath, Berlin, Chapel Hill, Grenoble, Siena Bath, Berlin, Chapel Hill, Grenoble, Siena

Partner Universities

TransAtlantic Masters is operated by the universities of the European American University Consortium:

Language Policy at Humboldt-Universität

At Humboldt-Universität it is possible to study in German (TAM-German track) as well as in English (TAM-English track). Students have the largest range of options if they can study in both languages. Half of the compulsory classes are taught in English and the other half are offered in German. In consultation with the program directors, it is possible to replace compulsory courses with courses of comparable content in the chosen language from the regular course offerings. In agreement with the teachers, assignments can generally be submitted in German or English, regardless of the course language.

TAM-German-Track

TAM-English-Track

Specialist Module I (summer semester)

Compulsary Course – European Government Systems in Comparison (DE) Substitute Compulsary Course – (EN)
Substitute Compulsary Course – (DE) Compulsary Course – Foreign and Security Policies in Europe (EN)
Elective Course - Facets of Europeanization (DE / EN)
Specialist Module II (winter semester)
Compulsary Course – Democracy and Democratization in Europe (DE) Substitute Compulsary Course – (EN)
Substitute Compulsary Course – (DE) Compulsary Course – Europes Borders and Neighbours
Elective Course - Facets of Europeanization (DE / EN)

The Berlin Modules

After a pre-semester orientation module the second semester, the Specialist Module I at Humboldt-Universität focuses on „Comparative European Governments“ and „Foreign and Security Policy in Europe“. During the third semester, the Specialist Module II concentrates on „Democracy and Democratization in Europe“ and „Europe’s Borders and Neighbors“. In addition, students can choose elective courses from the broad course catalogue of all the universities in Berlin to deepen their knowledge of the many facets of transatlantic relations and Europeanization.

Specialist Module I

Comparative European Government

Systematic comparison of liberal Western democracies concerning typologies of institutional settings, decisionmaking structures and the processes and various types of actors involved in modern mass democracies.

Foreign and Security Policy in Europe

Analysis of EU foreign policy, including the comparison of nation-state, supranational and inter-governmental approaches.

Facets of Europeanization

Elective chosen from the course catalogues of either Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Specialist Module II

Democracy and Democratization in Europe

Investigation of social, economic and political changes as an outcome of democratization processes in Europe, by reflecting on examples from Western, Central and Eastern Europe.

Europe’s Borders and Neighbors

Discussion of EU-enlargement regarding policies and consequences. Analysis of instruments such as the European Neighborhood Policy or regional EU-initiatives.

Facets of Europeanization

Elective chosen from the course catalogues of either Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

For information on the other sites' modules visit the TAM website at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.