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American Studies (History) BA (Hons)
This is a full-time single honours programme within the American Studies subject area.
Key facts
- Subject area: American Studies
- Award: BA (Hons)
- Code: T701
- Location: Canterbury
- Honours: Single
- Mode of study: Full-time
- Duration: 4 years
- Start: 2013
- Year in industry: No
- Year abroad: Yes
- Institution(s): University of Kent
Overview
American Studies dates back to 1973 at the University of Kent. The programme is taught by an impressive range of internationally recognised scholars who specialise in American film, literature, history and politics. Students are encouraged to visit the United States or Latin America through our exchange system.
Kent offers three degree pathways. You can choose a four-year degree (with one year abroad) and specialise in American history, American literature or Latin American studies. Or you can take our three-year degree, with the option of spending one term at a US university in your third and final year. Each programme allows you to shape your degree into something unique and challenging.
Kent provides a blend of established staples in American Studies such as the Civil War, slavery and contemporary politics, along with innovative modules on Native American literature, US environmental issues, and Latin American history and culture (including a Spanish language option). A wide range of modules are on offer in both three and four year programmes.
Please visit our website and feel free to contact us.
Modules
Stage 1
You take one to three core modules depending on your pathway.
Core modules- The Emergence of America: From European Settlement to 1880
- Introduction to American Studies
- Introduction to Hispanic Studies
- Learning Spanish
- The Rise of the United States since 1880
- Writing America
- A wide range of choices drawn from the Faculty of Humanities.
Stage 2
All students take the second-year core module, Topics in the 20th Century. Students on the fouryear programmes (Literature, History and Latin America pathways) also take a number of compulsory subject-related modules. Students on the three-year programme take a range of American-related modules drawn from Drama, English, Film, History of Art, History, Politics and Hispanic Studies.
Core module- American Studies: Topics in the 20th Century
History
Two options drawn from a list, for example:
- The American Civil War
- American Freedoms: The Bill of Rights and The Battles that Shaped It: 1789 to Today
- How the West was Won (or Lost)
- Inviting Doomsday: US Environmental Problems in the 20th Century.
And a module from the Faculty of Humanities (US options include Contemporary Politics and Government in the USA).
Literature- Appropriating America
Plus a module from the Faculty of Humanities (US options include How the West was Won (or Lost)).
Latin America- Latin American Poets
- Learning Spanish
- The Legacy of Inequality: Race and Ethnicity in Latin America
- Women in Spanish American Narrative and Film
Plus a module from the Faculty of Humanities (US options include Topics in American Cinema).
Stage 3
All students currently take a final-year extended essay. Students on the three-year programme can take options in Politics, History, Sociology, English and Hispanic Studies.
Core module- Interdisciplinary Extended Essay
Two options drawn from a list, for example:
- The American Century: The USA since 1970
- California: The Golden State
- The Supreme Court.
Options drawn from a list, for example:
- Native American Literature
- American Crime Fiction.
- Learning Spanish (required)
Options drawn from a list, for example:
- Language in Literature
- Latin American Poets
- Writing the Cuban Revolution.
Year abroad
Students on the four-year programmes spend a year between Stages 2 and 3 at one of our partner universities in the USA taking specialist courses. American Studies students spending the year in the USA do not have to pay American universities' (often high) tuition fees.
Please see the Go abroad webpages for further details.
Teaching and assessment
Stage 1 modules are usually taught by lectures and seminars. Stage 2/3 main modules are taught either by lectures and seminars, or by seminars alone. You usually have around ten hours of contact with staff each week.
Depending on the modules you select, assessment varies from 100% coursework (extended essays or dissertation), to a combination of examination and coursework, usually in the ratio 50:50, 60:40 or 80:20.
Careers
Many employers view a graduate with overseas study experience as more employable. Studying American Studies gives you transferable skills, such as the ability to work independently, to assimilate and analyse information and to present that information clearly and concisely in written form, and with passion and confidence orally.
Our graduates have gone on to careers in business, further professional training, management, broadcasting and media, teaching and a variety of other occupations in Britain, Europe and the USA.
For more information on the services Kent provides to improve your employment prospects, visit www.kent.ac.uk/employability
Entry requirements
Passing the Kent IFP with an overall average of 60%, including 60% in History for the History variant or 60% in the Literature module for the Literature variant, guarantees you entry onto the first year of this degree programme.
Offer levels
ABB at A level, IB Diploma 33 points or IB Diploma with 16 points at Higher inc 5/6/6 in HL English A1/A2/B for T700 and 5 in HL History or 6 in SL History for T701.
Required subjects
A level History grade B.
Further information
School
Enquiries:
T: +44 (0)1227 827272
Key Information Sets
The Key Information Set (KIS) data (right) is compiled by UNISTATS and draws from a variety of sources which includes the National Student Survey and the Higher Education Statistical Agency. The data for assessment and contact hours is compiled from the most populous modules (to the total of 120 credits for an academic session) for this particular degree programme. Depending on module selection, there may be some variation between the KIS data and an individual's experience. For further information on how the KIS data is compiled please see the UNISTATS website.
If you have any queries about a particular programme, please contact information@kent.ac.uk