About American Studies with International Study, BA - at University of Nottingham
Course overviewThis course provides you with the opportunity to study the literature, history, politics, music, visual arts, and popular culture (notably film and television) of the United States and Canada. The analytical and research skills you develop will help you to gain in-depth knowledge of major literary ideas, political themes and historical debates as they relate to a North American context. Topics covered would include, for instance, changing American and ethnic identities, ideas of nationhood, race, immigration, war, foreign policy, sexuality, media and globalisation, the wide range of North American literary traditions, and the roles played by the many different racial and ethnic groups that make up America and Canada.
You will be able to follow modules in Canadian studies, leading to a qualification in American Studies with Canadian Studies. The degree can be completed in three years, or four years including a year of international study at one of our partner institutions.
Year oneYou are introduced to the basic themes and events of American History and the key authors and texts of American Literature. These introductory modules provide the foundation upon which the programme will subsequently build. You will learn and practice technical skills and will be given the opportunity to select modules from other Schools.
Year twoYou will broaden and deepen your understanding. Introductory modules in Film Studies and/or Canadian Studies and a survey of American thought and culture, which complements the first year surveys of history and literature, will enable you to broaden your knowledge; and choosing from a range of specialised modules will allow you to study certain periods, events, authors or texts in more depth. You may elect to transfer to a degree in American Studies with Canadian Studies during this year.
International study yearUndertaken by students registered for the four-year programme. You will attend a major North American university for an academic year, and will be required to take modules in American studies, along with a choice from a wide range of alternative modules. During this year, you will also begin research for your dissertation which will be completed in your final year.
Final year (of both three- and four-year programmes)You will continue and extend the process of specialisation you began in Year two. You will write a dissertation on a subject of your choice, supervised by staff at Nottingham and you will choose from a range of advanced level modules in North American History, Literature, Culture and Film, led by staff who are active researchers in these areas.
By the end of the courseYou will have a wide-ranging and specialist knowledge of American and Canadian thought and culture, literature, history, politics, music, visual arts, and film and television. Among the major intellectual benefits of this degree will be your ability to interpret, analyse and evaluate evidence across a wide variety of materials. You will also gain additional research, written and oral communication and presentational skills. If you spend a year abroad, you will gain greater insights into North American society and culture, and you will also have proven you are resourceful, adaptable and able to cope with new and challenging situations.
