BA (Hons)
American Studies
A historical, cultural and political approach to the Americas
Course Overview
Why take this course?
Are you curious about September 11? Or about Hollywood, the American Dream, the US economic blockade of Cuba, economic crises in South America, and what the presidential aspirations of Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama tell us about race, class and gender in the United States?
If you wish to enhance your knowledge and understanding of the Americas, their nation-states and peoples, and their diverse cultures, this course is ideal. Pan-American in its approach, it will require you to think critically about the Americas as a region rather than narrowly focus on the United States. The combination of core units and a wide range of options provide opportunities for you to learn about North America, Central America and South America through their literature, film, politics, history, sociology, geography and economics.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Apply for an internship in the heart of the American political process
- Spend a period in one of our link universities in the USA or Mexico
- Tailor your study to reflect the interests you develop during your studies
What opportunities might it lead to?
This course will equip you with the capabilities for a wide range of careers, in the US or UK, with a broadened world view that will help you apply your skills in any job that calls for analysis, argument or communication. Here are some routes our past graduates have pursued:
- publishing and editing
- journalism and media
- teaching
- marketing and sales
- local government
I love the fact that we get to spend a term at a university in America.
Kirith Ahluwalia, BA (Hons) American Studies student
Key Facts
- UCAS Course Code:
- T700
- Duration
- 3 years full time
- Entry
240-300 points from 3 A Levels or equivalent.
Other qualifications- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £8,750 p/a*
International full-time students: £10,500 p/a*
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- humanities.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 8299 - Department
- School of Languages and Area Studies
Subject:
History, Politics and Social Studies
Find out what our students say about studying at Portsmouth, including:
- The diverse spread of subjects offered and ability to complete your own research
- The critical thinking, analytical and debating skills you’ll develop
- The passionate lecturers with a wide range of specialist research expertise
Visit us at our open day
Wed 10 Jul
Structure & Teaching
Year one
In the first year you will study introductory units to the various disciplines that you will cover on the course. These core units will offer you a chance to acquire a coherent understanding of the history, culture and politics of the Americas as a whole.
- Studying at University
- Developing Research Skills
- Introduction to Latin American History
- Introduction to North American Studies
- Introduction to Culture and Society in the Americas
- Politics and Economics in the Americas
Year two
In the second and third years of study there will be a range of options so you can pursue your own particular interests. Options may vary from year to year but throughout the course, you will have opportunities to study in-depth critical and theoretical approaches to a wide range of subjects.
Core units unclude:
- Race, Slavery and Emancipation in the Americas
- US Government and Politics
- US Foreign Policy: Ideals and Self Interest
- Democratisation in Latin America
Options from:
- American Civil War
- Pre-Columbian and Colonial Latin America
- Key Issues in Development
- American Literature
- Economic and Political Geography 1: North American City
- Critical Hollywood
- Managing Across Cultures
- Language
- Learning From Experience
Year three
A large part of your final year is given over to the preparation of your dissertation, which is a major piece of independent work on a topic of your own choice. Some examples include the impact of the Vietnam war on US foreign policy and women in the Black power movement.
You will also study some optional units from:
- Accredited Study Abroad
- Civil Rights in the USA and its Legacy
- Borderland America
- City and Nation: The Latin American Urban Experience
- Black American Film
- African American History and Culture
- US Masculinities
- Contemporary Issues and Controversies in Latin America
- Transitional Justice and Human Rights
Teaching and Assessment
We aim to provide a varied, challenging and stimulating learning environment. But most of all we want you to become an independent learner so that you will continue to learn beyond your time at the University.
Teaching involves lectures, seminars and workshops. Emphasis is placed not just on what you can take from the seminar but what you can bring to the experience, and how you interact and learn from your peers. Most of our seminars and workshops are undertaken in small groups so that you are able to ask questions and debate issues with confidence. You will also analyse primary documents and debate contemporary issues in small teams so that all you learn from a range of opinions and interpretations.
How are you assessed?
Our assessment methods are varied too, incorporating some formal examinations but also case studies, projects and presentations.
Visit us open day
Facilities & Features
Pan-American Approaches
Studying beyond the borders of the USA
Washington Internship
The Brockport Washington Intern Program
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information
Pan-American Approaches
At Portsmouth, the entire pan-American region is explored through a wide range of disciplines and perspectives. You may study the US, the Caribbean, Central or South America. You may also be able to study for a period abroad in one of our partner universities in the Americas.
Washington DC Internship
Students on this programme are eligible to apply for an internship through the Brockport Washington Intern Program, offering work experience and learning opportunities in the heart of the American political process.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
You will develop a wide range of skills and capabilities that are valued by prospective employers such as analysis, criticism and argument. Your global world view and, potentially, study experience abroad will make you more appealing to many employers. You will be eligible to apply to an internship programme in Washington DC where, if successful, you can develop personal and professional skills at the heart of US politics.
Roles our graduates have moved into include:
- teacher
- researcher
- librarian
- administrator
- archivist
- government administrator
- journalist
Work experience
In addition to the Washington internship opportunity, you may study abroad in the first semester of the final year, either in the United States or Mexico.
You can also take the Learning From Experience (LiFE) option, which lets you earn credits toward your degree for work/research placements, volunteer roles or internships undertaken alongside your studies. The option gives you the opportunity to enhance your employability skills, to reflect on the ways in which you've done so, and to learn to express this to potential employers.
Career planning
6.04 minutes
Finding a job is a competitive business, but the statistics show that 89 per cent of our 2011graduates went into employment, further study or training within six months of finishing their degrees.
To make sure you take the right steps on your career path, we’re here to give you help, support and advice throughout your study. Even after you’ve graduated, we continue to give you support for up to five years.
Employers tell us that they want graduates to be able to demonstrate certain skills when they come out of university. Our courses take account of this. We make sure we prepare you for employment through work-related learning, projects, placements and working in simulated environments that are designed to prepare you for the working world.
I would like to travel to Asia after graduation so the option to take a language unit (Japanese) has been really exciting. The course has helped me realise that there are job opportunities available all over the world, and possible careers for me would be journalism, teaching, government and working for NGOs.
Blake Sears, BA (Hons) American Studies student 2013
Open Day
Our next open day is Wed 10 July
VISIT US! Have a look around and get a feel for what it’s like to live and study here. We’ll be on hand to talk to you about your course interests and show you all of our amazing facilities. You’ll also get to meet tutors and other students…
Application, Fees and Funding — find out more