It concentrates on one country, the United States of America, but one so large and various that its study is never monotonous. At the same time it combines the methods of a variety of different disciplines in order to develop your understanding of American society and culture. The basic elements are American history and literature in the first year and American history, literature and politics in your second and third years. The University participates in exchange schemes which make it possible for you to spend part of your three years studying at an American university. Each module contains equal elements of American history and American literature.
Teaching is by lectures and seminars, but a strong emphasis is placed on small-group teaching.
Your work is assessed on the evidence of essays written during term and an examination paper at the end of each semester. The Single Honours programme offers an integrated scheme of study which also enables you to pursue your own special interests through the choice of optional modules and dissertation topics. Joint honours students do not take the core modules, but select modules from the range of American Studies options, and a number of other modules with an American focus offered by the Departments of English, History and International Politics. Careers American Studies, like most arts subjects, has no limited vocational content. It offers you a general education which is a suitable preparation for a variety of careers in commerce, industry, the media, education and government administration.