ObjectivesResearch-track training towards a PhD. Study of a wide range of issues in American studies.
Entry requirementsEntry/language requirements At least 2:1 or international equivalent in a first degree in English, or a combined degree including a substantial element of English. If English is not your first language, we normally require an overall IELTS score of at least 7.5, normally with at least 7 in each component. For TOEFL we would normally expect a minimum score of 630, with a Test of Written English score of 5. Applicants who have taken the computer-based TOEFL test must normally achieve an overall score of 267 with an essay-writing score of at least 5. The TOEFL IBT test score has to be 113 or above.
Academic titleMA American Literature
Course descriptionAmerican Studies track
The American Studies track is jointly run by the Department of English Literature and the Department of History.
Dual English/History students who wish to specialise in American Studies can apply to join the American Studies track.
You will take modules in American literature and American history in your first year. In the first semester of the second year, you will take a core American Studies course, as well as two other courses selected from a range of American-oriented modules, in literature and history.
In the second semester of the second year, you will attend an American university and take credit-bearing courses there as part of your Sheffield degree. You will also start preparing for the dissertation which will be submitted in the third year.
Other third-year courses will again be selected from the relevant list of English and History modules.
Course Outline
An outline of the course structure is given below:
Semester 2
-Early American Literature LIT 103 (Compulsory)
-American History module (Compulsory)
-Unrestricted Choice
Level 2:
Semester 1
-1960s America LIT 261
-One American History or American Literature module
-Choice: one History or Literature module (but recommended to take module in the `other´ discipline, depending on choice above)
Semester 2 (spent in US)
-Modules in American History or American Literature (at least one in each discipline)
Level 3:
-Compulsory 20 Credit dissertation, on an American theme.
-Rethinking History (compulsory)
-Remaining 80 credits to be taken from list of History and English modules, including a minimum of 20 credits of American History and a minimum of 20 credits of American Literature