Objectives-provide students with the opportunity to engage with a significant range of relevant American literature, history, politics and film, exploiting their interdependence and distinctiveness within the discipline of American Studies; -encourage independent study, the spirit of enquiry and a commitment to scholarly method; develop in students powers of critical and analytical thinking, the ability -to apply these to primary and secondary texts, and to foster skills in written and verbal forms of expression.
Entry requirementsSelected entry requirements English language: Minimum IELTS score of 7.0 or equivalent; eg. NCUK EAP minimum Grade of A with range of 70-79 TOEFL: PBT score of 600; CBT score of 250; TWE score of 5.5; IBT score of 100. A level: Grades ABB. This should include either English or History. General Studies is welcomed but not normally included as part of the standard offer. AS-levels are not accepted in place of an A-level. Unit grade information: The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit grade information which, like all other available information, will inform the consideration of applications. Unit grades will not normally form part of offer conditions, except for Mathematics programmes. GCSE: Minimum of grade B in English Language, English Literature or English Language and Literature. Key Skills qualification: The University warmly welcomes applications from students studying the Key Skills qualification. However, as the opportunities to take these modules are not open to all applicants, currently this is not an essential requirement of the University. International baccalaureate: 33 points overall including 6 points in English or History at Higher level, PLUS grade 6 or 5 in a further two subjects at higher level. Additional entry requirements Additional entry requirements exist for this course. You may view these by selecting from the list below.
Academic titleBA American Studies
Course descriptionSpecial features
Opportunity to study at a US university for one or both semesters of year 2
Course content for year 1
Please note that the following list is intended to be a guide only - course content or availability may change slightly as we aim to improve and update our courses yearly.
Compulsory (all 20 credits)
AMER***** Introduction to American Literature;
AMER***** Introduction to American History
AMER10042 Aspects of Contemporary America
AMER***** From Reconstruction to Reagan: American History, 1877-1988
AMER10171 Academic Development
Optional (Choice of 1)
Free Choice option
Course content for year 2
Please note that the following list is intended to be a guide only - course content or availability may change slightly as we aim to improve and update our courses yearly.
COMPULSORY
Strand A (Both Semesters in Manchester)
AMER20041 Aspects of American Political Culture
AMER20142 From Jamestown to James Brown: The African American Experience
AMER**** Twentieth Century American Literature
AMER20072 American Film: Theory and Practise
AMER**** Southern Literature
AMER**** Gender in American History
OR an approved free choice option (permission must be given by the Programme Director)
Strand B (Semester 1 in Manchester, Semester 2 at US university)
AMER20041 Aspects of American Political Culture
AMER20142 From Jamestown to James Brown: The African American Experience
AMER**** Twentieth Century American Literature
OR an approved free choice option (permission must be given by the Programme Director)
Strand C (Both Semesters at US university)
No compulsory courses
OPTIONAL
Strand B (Semester 1 in Manchester, Semester 2 at US university)
Four US course units equivalent to 60 Manchester credits
Strand C (Both Semesters at US university)
Eight US course units equivalent to 120 Manchester credits
Course content for year 3
Please note that the following list is intended to be a guide only - course content or availability may change slightly as we aim to improve and update our courses yearly.
Compulsory
Dissertation
Optional 100 credits from those available
AMER***** Hip Hop and Hollywood
AMER***** The History and Politics of California
AMER30381 Conspiracy Theories in American Culture
AMER***** Resistance and Revolution: The African American Freedom Struggle
AMER30021 American Slavery
AMER***** Race Mixing in American Literature
AMER***** Independent Cinema
AMER30082 American Self-Representation
AMER***** Natives and Strangers: Cultural Encounters in the Americas
AMER***** American Film and Politics
AMER30742 Recent American Fiction
OR an approved free choice option (permission must be given by the Programme Director)
Career opportunities
Graduates of English and American Studies enjoy career opportunities in a wide range of professions. 'Traditional' careers in publishing, journalism, teaching and librarianship are still followed, but graduates increasingly pursue careers in law, banking, advertising, accountancy, business management, commerce, computing, archive studies, the media and the civil service.
This is an inter-disciplinary degree programme which offers you the opportunity to study the history, literature, film, politics and popular culture of the United States. The first year is taught mainly by lecture and tutor-led sessions, which gives you a solid grounding in debates (both historical and contemporary) about the character, nature and purpose of America, and which introduces you to US literature and history before 1900. In the second year you may have the opportunity to study at a US university for one or both semesters. Our exchange partners include the University of California, Arizona State University, the University of Massachusetts and the University of Toronto. In the final year you complete a compulsory dissertation and select five other course units from a list of options, taught by a weekly seminar taken by a specialist member of staff. These options, which change from year to year, reflect the research interests and expertise of the American Studies staff and may include courses on Conspiracy Culture, Film and Politics, American Masculinities, African-American Writing, the Civil Rights Movement, American Slavery, Race Mixing in American Literature, Independent Cinema, the History of California and Hip-Hop and Hollywood.
Course fees: Tuition fees for Home/EU students commencing their studies in 2009 will be approximately £3250 per year. These fees will be subject to change in the light of government announcements to all universities.
Other programs related to interdisciplinary studies