Study contents and modules (SPO)

Advance Notice:

In 2023, the Institute for Latin American Studies has introduced new study and examination regulations (Studien- und Prüfungsordnung, SPO 2023) for the Master's program in Interdisciplinary Latin American Studies, which are presented on this page. From now on, these regulations (SPO 2023) will apply to students who enroll in the Master's program at Freie Universität Berlin after they come into force, i.e. to students who begin their studies at the Institute for Latin American Studies in winter semester 2023/24.

Students who have already been enrolled in the Master's program at Freie Universität Berlin before the new study and examination regulations (SPO 2023) come into force will study and complete the coursework on the basis of the previous study and examination regulations (SPO 2013, modified 2014), unless they apply to continue their studies and complete the coursework in accordance with the new study and examination regulations (SPO 2023) (information events held in June/July 2023). The recognition options are explained here. Please note: The project module according to SPO (2013) cannot be recognized for the project module according to SPO (2023)

The possibility of completing the degree on the basis of the previous study and examination regulations (SPO 2013, amended in 2014) is still guaranteed until the end of the summer semester 2025 (September 2025).

In the master's program (SPO 2023), a total of 120 credit points (LP) must be earned. The program (standard period of study four semesters) is divided into:

a core area, consisting of 30 LP
a profile area A, B, C or D, consisting of 20 LP
a supplementary area, consisting of 10 LP
a research practice area, consisting of 35 LP
the Master's thesis, consisting of 25 LP

Detailed information can be found in the study and examination regulations (graphic of the exemplary study plan). This table (follows) provides an overview of the presentation of the degree programme in Campus Management. The study and examination office of the master's programme is located in the Department of Political and Social Sciences.

Further counselling is offered by the subject counselling/student counselling as well as the profile and module supervisors. Many concerns can also be clarified in the FAQ.

Exemplary study plan

zur Ansicht

Study contents and qualification goals

The research-oriented master's program provides an in-depth overview of Latin America bringing together regional and disciplinary perspectives with a strong focus on area studies.

Core Area (30 LP)

The core area comprises the two introductory compulsory modules "Contexts and Concepts of Latin American Studies" and "Constitution of Latin America" as well as a compulsory elective module according to the personal choice of profile.

Profile Area A "Historical-cultural action, representations, and interconnections"

This profile area can be selected after choosing the module "Theories and methods in cultural and historical studies". In this profile area, two of the three modules offered therein are studied.

Profile Area B "Transformation, development, and inequalities”

This profile area can be selected after choosing the module "Development Theories and Concepts". In this profile area, the two modules offered therein are studied.

Profile Area C "Brazil in a global context"

This profile area can be selected after choosing the module "Theories and Methods of cultural and historical Studies" or the module "Development theories and concepts" or the module "Interdisciplinary theories and methods of gender studies". In this profile area the two modules offered therein are studied.

Profile area D "Gender relations, ways of life, transformations"

This profile area can be selected after choosing the module "Interdisciplinary theories and methods of gender studies". In this profile area, the two modules offered therein are studied.

Supplementary Area (10 LP)

Here, e.g. disciplinary, linguistic, theoretical, methodological, gender-specific, regional or transregional competences are acquired and/or deepened. One module is studied [further voluntary participation is possible].

Research Practice Area (35 LP)

This area serves the research orientation as well as the gathering of international and/ or professional practical experience and the preparation of the final phase. A choice is made between internship and field project. Alternatively, a semester abroad is possible in the 3rd semester.

Master's thesis (25 LP)

In the final thesis, students demonstrate that they are able to work independently on a problem from the chosen profile area at an advanced scientific level and to present the results appropriately in writing, to classify them scientifically and to document them.

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