Double Degree (MA)

The binational Double Degree Program “Transcultural Communication” offers a joint program involving the MA in Transcultural Studies at Bremen University and the MA in Communication Sciences at Kadir Has University in Istanbul.

An international experience is integral to the program and enables participants to directly practice and reflect upon inter- and transculturalism as part of their academic development.

The two degrees are complementary: in the Bremen MATS program, Anthropology, Religious Studies, and Literature are taught with a focus on migration, re-migration and transcultural relationships from contemporary and historical perspectives. In the Master’s in Communication Sciences in Istanbul, Cultural Studies, Media Art, and Social Sciences are taught with a strong practical orientation. A distinct perspective on the situation in Turkey is developed against the backdrop of a changing and interconnected world.

The goal of the Double Degree Program is to produce experts for German-Turkish inter- and transcultural communication. The academic program stemming from this international partnership focuses on providing students with broad international experience on equal terms. The result is a unique specialization in Turkish-German communication in the areas of politics, economics, education and research. Graduates will be able to plan, evaluate and conduct research on transcultural projects, while working in the field of transcultural collaborations. In Bremen these competencies are acquired through learning how to conduct fieldwork and self-reflective positioning (??), and by engaging with the theory and practice of transculturalism through empirical research. In Turkey the focus lies on media research projects in the metropolis of Istanbul; analysis of German-Turkish cooperation; and on theories and practical applications of intercultural communication. Finally, the multilingual character of the program offers further opportunities for intercultural learning and communication.

Outcome: Graduates of the DAAD program gain experience in German-Turkish or Turkish-German dialogue in both theory and practice allowing them to make important contributions to the Europeanization of German-Turkish relationships, by (1) understanding transcultural situations theoretically, (2) analyzing specific international activities, (3) intervening in transcultural negotiations as mediators, and (4) being able to reflect on their own individual roles. Students are trained for careers in research and consulting within organizations, the media, developmental aid, technical and transcultural cooperation, tourism, and in cultural work. They are furthermore able to shape bi-national and international projects. Specifically acquired language skills and international experiences qualify them for a career in intercultural communication / interaction in political and cultural fields.

Schedule
1. The first semester takes place at the students’ home universities and focuses on introducing the local MA program. Participants for the double degree are chosen and begin to prepare for their time abroad. At both universities the disciplines are introduced through foundational courses on cultural theories, media and transcultural theories, as well as language courses. An introductory course entitled “Religious Dimensions of Transculturality” is offered in Bremen and another entitled “Comparative Research Methodologies” is offered in Istanbul. Additionally, the program offers specific preparation for the double degree and the international experience: mentoring, group meetings, and an introduction to the program by Turkish as well as German professors. In Istanbul a similar program is offered.

2. The second semester takes place in Bremen for all participants. To commence with introductory group meetings are organized to allow all participants to become acquainted.  Contact persons are assigned to each student in order to answer questions, organize field trips to the city and the like. During semester, mentoring, group meetings, and language courses take place on an ongoing basis.

The module entitled ‘Methods of Anthropological Research” includes short research projects focusing on transcultural contexts in and around Bremen that allow students to engage with  anthropological research methods in greater depth. A deeper understanding of textual analysis is also developed, with students learning various methods for the interpretation and analysis of written documents.

3. The third semester takes place in Istanbul. Similar to the Bremen semester, students are introduced to the university via introductory group meetings and benefit from continuous mentoring and language courses.
In the module entited ‘Introduction to Media Theories and Intercultural Communication’ students learn about media theory and intercultural perspectives, which they then apply to a given research project focusing on Istanbul (for example in the module “City in the East – City in the West”). Additionally, two elective courses can be chosen for this semester.

4. The purpose of the fourth semester is to write the Master‘s thesis. The thesis can either build on previous empirical work or contain a more theoretical focus. During this semester students from Bremen University stay at the partner university in Istanbul, while the Istanbul students stay at Bremen University. Each student is required to take part in an MA thesis colloquium throughout the semester, and can choose additional courses on a voluntary base. The MA thesis is supervised by two advisers, who can either both be from the home university or one from each country.

Application
Those MATS students interested in the double degree can apply for it during their first semester once they are fully registered on the Master‘s in Transcultural Studies. This year's application deadline for 2022 was on 31 January 2022. 

Application Requirements

• Transcript of Records documenting 180 CP for the Bachelor’s degree i.e. the basis for which the student was admitted onto the MATS program,

• Bachelor’s Diploma with good or excellent Bachelor results (final BA grade of 2.3 or better; BA thesis with a grade of 2.0 or better)

• Proof of language skills: English at level B2 based on the Common European Framework, a second language at level A2, as well as motivation to learn Turkish up to A1 level by the 3rd semester

• 2-page letter of motivation in English

• Short CV or Resume

The application must usually be submitted by mid-January at the secretariat of IfEK (for MATS: Ms. Stubbemann). Please check the website for the current deadline.