Course overview

This course gives you the opportunity to gain a comparative overview of English and American literatures and cultures. In American and Canadian Studies, you will examine a wide range of novels, poems, plays and autobiographies reflecting the cultural changes in moving from colony to independence to global power. In English Studies you will be able to explore language, literature and drama from Old English to the present day. Depending on your chosen options, you will study poems, novels, plays (in text and performance) and spoken and written language in the media and advertising. At the beginning of year two you may apply to transfer to a four-year degree course with a year spent at a North American university, depending on availability of places and academic performance

Year one

In American Studies, you will be introduced to the basic themes and events of American History, and the key authors and texts of American Literature. In English studies, you have a choice of three core modules from the areas of English language, modern English literature, medieval studies and drama.

Year two

In American Studies, you will broaden your knowledge by undertaking a survey of American thought and culture. Selecting from a range of specialised modules will allow you to study certain periods, events, authors or texts in more depth. In English, you will choose core modules to develop your studies in at least two areas of the discipline. You will also have the opportunity to choose one literary period option, to explore how and why literature can be read in terms of an historical 'age' or 'epoch'.

International study year

Students registered for the four-year programme attend a major North American university for one year.

Final year

You will extend the process of specialisation and by the end of the degree will be expected to show initiative in your work and have some independence of judgement. In American Studies, you will write a dissertation and choose from a selection of advanced level modules in North American History, Literature, Culture and Film. In English, you will choose from a range of advanced level options enabling you to specialise in key areas.

By the end of the course

You will have a broad and informed understanding of a diverse range of American and English literatures. You will be highly proficient in essay-writing, and will have developed research and presentation skills. If you spent a year abroad, you will have greater insights into North American society and culture through first-hand experience and will have proven you are resourceful, adaptable and able to cope with new and challenging situations.

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American and Canadian Studies
English Studies