COURSE CURRICULUM

The BA American Studies program provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary exploration of the United States, combining history, literature, culture, and politics to develop a deep understanding of its global influence. In the first year, students establish a foundational knowledge through mandatory modules such as A Global Nation: Power, Politics, and Struggle Across the American Century, Introduction to American Literature to 1900, American History to 1877: Columbus to Civil War, Twentieth Century American Literature, and Introduction to American Studies. These courses introduce key historical events, literary traditions, and cultural frameworks essential for understanding American society. The second year builds on this foundation with core modules in African-American History and Culture and American Cultural Studies, while optional courses such as American Film Studies, Cold War America, American Literature and Social Criticism, The American Civil War, and Uncle Tom’s Cabin as a Global Media Event allow students to explore specific aspects of US culture and history in greater depth. In the third year, students focus on research and specialised study, completing a Long Essay and choosing from optional modules including Slavery and the Old South, America Abroad: Non-State Actors and the Making of a World Power, Love American Style, Occupy Everything, Climate Change and Culture Wars, American Hauntings, James Baldwin in Context, and Novel Democracy. This combination of mandatory and optional modules equips graduates with analytical, research, and critical thinking skills, preparing them for careers in academia, media, policy, and international organisations, or for further study in American Studies and related fields.