American Studies and English, BA (Hons)

Course summary

Do you love literature and enjoy getting lost in books? Are you creative and imaginative?Through studying a diverse range of writers – encompassing Shakespeare to Jamaica Kincaid – you will develop new perspectives, interpretations and ideas. This in turn will give you a deeper understanding of the world, yourself, and your own outlook on life.We offer a variety of modules in both American Studies and English, covering:

• African American literature

• American Magazines and Journalism

• English language in a global and digital age

• Immigrant and ethnic writing

• American and British theatre

• Transatlantic and postcolonial literary cultures

• Women's writing

• LGBTQ+ literature

• Shakespeare and Renaissance Literature

• Victorian Fiction

• Romanticism

• Contemporary Literature and Modernism

You can also experience North America, by choosing to study abroad for a year at a US or Canadian university. You can do this by transferring to the study abroad programme at the end of your first year. The option to study abroad is dependent on your academic performance and the availability of places.

Modules

In year one you will study three core American and Canadian Studies modules. You will be introduced to key themes and issues in American literature, covering major authors, texts and literary movements from the early 1800s to the present day. You will also take a multidisciplinary module that explores the literature, film and culture of Canada. You will also choose three optional modules from English, across four possible areas of study.In year two, you take one core American and Canadian Studies module, choosing from two possibilities. For your optional modules, you take two from American Studies and three from English.You can apply to spend your third year studying in North America, transferring to a four-year course and returning to Nottingham for your final year to complete your course.This is not compulsory – if you choose not to study abroad, you will complete your degree in three years. Eligibility for study abroad is dependent on satisfactory performance in your first year and the availability of places.In your final year (which is 'year four' if you take your third year abroad) you complete a dissertation, either American and Canadian Studies or English.

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In year one you will study three core American and Canadian Studies modules. You will be introduced to key themes and issues in American literature, covering major authors, texts and literary movements from the early 1800s to the present day. You will also take a multidisciplinary module that explores the literature, film and culture of Canada. You will also choose three optional modules from English, across four possible areas of study. In year two, you take one core American and Canadian Studies module, choosing from two possibilities. For your optional modules, you take two from American Studies and three from English. You can apply to spend your third year studying in North America, transferring to a four-year course and returning to Nottingham for your final year to complete your course. This is not compulsory – if you choose not to study abroad, you will complete your degree in three years. Eligibility for study abroad is dependent on satisfactory performance in your first year and the availability of places. In your final year (which is 'year four' if you take your third year abroad) you complete a dissertation, either American and Canadian Studies or English.