AMERICAN CULTURE and LITERATURE
Second Cycle Programmes
(Master's Degree)

D.1. General Information about Program

Welcome to our Department, officially recognized as Turkey's best department for research in American Culture & Literature. Alongside staff with expertise in many areas ranging from Gender Studies to Visual Arts, from Literary Theory to Film Studies, from Environmental Literature to Ethnic Studies, from Translation to Life Writing, we offer an impressive record of student achievement and a very active student life.

The M.A. program (with thesis) of the Department of American Culture and Literature of Hacettepe University was the first deparment of American Studies to be founded in Turkey and was established for students who want to deepen their knowledge in the field. The program has offered an advanced degree since 1982 when it was first founded, with the contribution of many Turkish and foreign scholars. The courses offered in the program examine the formation of historical, philosphical, religious, social, artistic and political traditions that shape American culture and literature. The program develops students? skills of researching, evaluating and interpreting information in order to conduct scientific research. With its interdisciplinary and intercultural perspective, the department raises scholars who are able to critically evaluate works of other cultures and literatures. The language of education in this program is English.

Prof. Dr. Ufuk Özdağ, Department Chair

D.2 Qualification Awarded

Master's Degree

D.3. Level of Qualification

QF-EHEA: 2
EQF-LLL: 7

D.4. Provisions for Registration

1. Applicants must have a BA degree in American Culture and Literature, or a BA degree in humanities and social sciences from Turkish or international education institutions recognized by YÖK (The Council of Higher Education).
2. Applicants must have a graduate GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.00 scale (or an equivalent score).
3. Applicants must provide the following: at least 70 on a 100 scale in the national ALES exam conducted by Student Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM) or an equivalent score from internationally recognized GRE and GMAT exams within the criteria specified by the Senate of Hacettepe University; at least 85 on a 100 scale in the national YDS English proficiency exam, or an equivalent score in the nationally and internationally recognized exams that are approved by ÖSYM.
4. International students' applications are accepted in line within Hacettepe University Graduate Programme and Exam Regulation" in Official Gazette (29 November 2016, No:29900).
5. Provisions which have not been specified above are regulated according to related articles of Hacettepe University Graduate Study Education and Examination Regulations.

D.5. Qualification Requirements and Regulations

To earn a Master's Degree with thesis in the field of American Culture and Literature, students write a thesis in addition to their coursework. Students with a minimum GPA of 2.75 out of 4.00 are eligible to write a master's thesis. They are required to take compulsory and elective courses equivalent to 28 national credits in total. According to European Credit Transfer System, they are required to take a minimum of 60 ECTS credits in coursework and a minimum of 60 ECTS credits for the master's thesis (120 ECTS credits in sum).

For detailed information, consult the following website:

http://www.sosyalbilimler.hacettepe.edu.tr/tr/menu/yonetmelikler-47

D.6. Specific Arrangements for Recognition of Prior Learning

Students who earn the right to enroll in the master's program in the Department of American Culture and Literature can be exempt from certain courses within the scope of related rules and regulations. If the content of a course taken at another university matches a given course at Hacettepe University and is accepted by the educational board, the student can be exempted from that course.

Students, who have studied at Hacettepe University or at other institutions of higher education for at least one year, can apply for a transfer to the master's program of American Culture and Literature. To be accepted, applicants must meet the terms of acceptance and pass each of the master's courses they have taken for at least one semester. The admission and legal procedures of students who are found eligible by the department for the transfer are fulfilled after the decision of the institute council.

For detailed information, consult the following website:

http://www.sosyalbilimler.hacettepe.edu.tr/tr/menu/yonetmelikler-47

D.7. Goals and Objectives

The objective of the Department of American Culture and Literature is to provide the knowledge, skills and competence required in the field in order to be employed in public and private sectors. The program aims at raising literary and cultural critics who are sensitive to societal and ethical principles; who are respectful of themselves and of others; who aim at improving themselves constantly; who adopt scientific thinking; who can use English and their mother tongue effectively; who carry out the requirements of contemporary critical methods; who are open to different thoughts and cultures and who can think creatively and critically.

D.12. Occupational Profiles of Graduates with Examples

Career opportunities for graduates of the Department of American Culture and Literature's master's program are quite diverse. While some of our graduates work as Research Assistants in related departments of universities, others work at ministries such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade, at organizations like State Planning and Central Intelligence, at national and international institutions and companies, at visual and print media institutions, at translation agencies, at publishing houses and news agencies. Moreover, our graduates are also employed at various institutions related to the European Union.

D.13. Access to Further Studies

QF-EHEA: 3
EQF-LLL: 8

D.14. Profile of the Programme

The M.A. program (with thesis) of the Department of American Culture of Literature is a 2 year program. The program consists of compulsory and elective courses equivalent to 28 national credits in total and a thesis. According to the European Credit Transfer System, the program consists of 120 ECTS credits: a minimum of 60 ECTS credits of coursework and a minimum of 60 ECTS credits for master's thesis. All M.A. courses are one-semester courses, which may be offered any semester. There are no courses with prerequisites in the M.A. program.

Students who have a minimum GPA of 2.75 out of 4.00 are eligible to present a master's thesis proposal. The proposal is prepared by the student and his/her advisor. It is evaluated in an open discussion in the department. The department chair informs the institution about the thesis proposal.

For detailed information on defending the thesis, consult the following website:

http://www.sosyalbilimler.hacettepe.edu.tr/tr/menu/yonetmelikler-47

D.15. Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

Assessment and grading criteria (mid terms, homework, final exams, etc.) and examination regulations for each course and their percentages are defined under the title of “Assessment Methods” in the program's course Information pack. Final exams are carried out on certain dates determined by the university and at certain times and places announced by the department. Students' final semester grades are determined by the instructor offering the course and are based on the students' mid-term and final grades, the coursework they did during the term and their attendance record. For detailed information on examination regulations, assessment and grading, consult the following website.

http://www.sosyalbilimler.hacettepe.edu.tr/tr/menu/yonetmelikler-47

D.16. Graduation Requirements

In order to successfully complete the program, students must take and pass all the required courses in their program and earn a minimum of 120 ECTS credits for coursework and thesis work.

D.17. Education Type

1. Full Time Education

D.18. Programme Director

Prof. Dr. Ufuk Özdağ

Department Chair

Hacettepe University, Faculty of Letters

Department of American Culture and Literature

Beytepe Campus, Ankara

Phone: +90 312 297 8500

E-mail: ozdag@hacettepe.edu.tr