COURSE CURRICULUM

In the first year of my American and English Literature with a Year Abroad degree, I developed a strong foundation in both literary traditions, focusing on core reading, language, and analytical skills. Through modules such as Introduction to American Literature I and II, I explored the evolution of American writing from colonial narratives to the modernist era. This included key authors like Langston Hughes, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, and William Faulkner, whose works reflect the shifting identities and values of a growing nation. Simultaneously, Writing Across Borders introduced me to the global journey of the English language and its intersections with colonialism, power, and cultural hybridity. The Reading Now and Slow Reading modules helped sharpen my close reading and interpretive skills, encouraging me to think deeply about what it means to read critically in a contemporary world.In my second year, I built on this foundation through more interdisciplinary and thematic approaches. The Transatlantic Cultures module allowed me to explore the complex cultural exchanges between the United States, Europe, and Africa, from the slave trade to modern art and literature. I also studied Contemporary American Fiction, where I examined how writers engage with pressing social and political concerns through innovative narrative forms. These modules strengthened my understanding of literature's ability to reflect and shape cultural consciousness.My third year was spent abroad, offering me the invaluable experience of studying at a North American university. Immersing myself in another academic and cultural environment enhanced my independence, adaptability, and global perspective on literature and society.Finally, in my fourth year, I engaged in specialist modules and completed a dissertation, which gave me the opportunity to pursue an independent research project in depth. This culmination of my degree allowed me to integrate the critical, historical, and creative insights I had developed throughout my academic journey.