Preservation & Presentation of the Moving Image
Sofia Skrypnyk from Ukraine
Discourse and Argumentation Studies
Why Discourse and Argumentation Studies?
After obtaining a BA in philology, I wanted to follow a master programme more in line with my current interests. The Discourse and Argumentation programme offered a promising agreement between my social interests and ample linguistic background. I wanted to be able to analyse the actual language use and explore its persuasive and argumentative dimensions in depth.
I chose the UvA because I think that the thriving research culture at Dutch universities is motivating to proceed with intellectual development. Moreover, I speak Dutch and appreciate many aspects of the local culture. At the same time, UvA is number one in the world in the field of argumentation studies. My last reason to choose for Amsterdam was that I am a big-city resident, and certainly prefer Amsterdam to small university towns.
About the programme
I feel that I obtained a keen sense of everyday communication processes, and better understand how language can be used to construct social moods. Now I have tools for evaluation of argumentation offered by politicians and advertisers and can explain things they try to capitalize on.
Initially, I hoped there would be more emphasis on aspects related to political communication, and expected some insights from social anthropology to come on the scene as well.
However, I do appreciate things that we are doing in our programme and I believe that even if one's interests are slightly broader than argumentation theory alone, this programme is an invaluable point of departure for a career in various fields. On top of that, it is undoubtedly an interesting and independent area of study on its own.
About the differences in class structure in the Netherlands and in Ukraine
The class structure is similar in many aspects, yet there is less distance between the teacher and their student in Holland. There are also more informal possibilities for communication, other than seminars or personal appointments. For example, we attend presentations of visiting international scholars that tell about their dissertations, and after that we have drinks in one of the classic Amsterdam cafes in the city. It is always a good possibility for a relaxed discussion with your professor and networking with people from the same field of study.
About the city and the Netherlands
I like the very special feeling that you get living in Amsterdam. I travel quite a lot, but in no other place do I feel this cosmopolitan aura, when your national identity is overridden by a much stronger feeling of being a person of the world. In Amsterdam you are never a foreigner, the city welcomes you immediately, and you can't help but feel an "Amsterdammer".
Our department is situated in the heart of the city, in old Amsterdam, near the Dam square and the Royal palace. Some of the University buildings are just next to the red light district, so there are many contrasts. I am sure one will value them enormously upon considering the logic of things here.
Generally, despite its international ambience, Amsterdam preserves a distinct Dutch flavour, and there are enough little parks and cozy cafes to hide from the urban paradise.
Tip for new students
I studied at several different universities, and no matter how good a study programme is, there are always things that students would like to be different. Many of them prefer not to complain because they don't believe it can change anything, but in Holland it often does. Do not hesitate to approach professors with suggestions or requests. Be sure, your feedback is valued here.