School of Languages and Area Studies (SLAS)

American Studies

We offer courses in American Studies, either as single honours or combined honours:

BA (Hons) American Studies
BA (Hons) American Studies And History
BA (Hons) English And American Studies
BA (Hons) Spanish And Latin American Studies

American Studies at the University of Portsmouth is unique in this country for its pan-American approach to the subject.  We offer specialism in the study of the United States of America but also have expertise in Latin American and Caribbean studies.  By such study you will get a truly American perspective on a fascinating and exciting part of the world.  Of course as your study progresses you may decide to focus more on the USA or on the Latin American side of your studies, or to balance the themes, but this geographical view of the Americas provides an invaluable worldview for students.  And our interdisciplinary approach to the subject makes for a broad critical awareness of the area - we have expertise in disciplines such as history, literature, politics, media, and economics - which creates a better understanding of contemporary America.

Why study the Americas?  In an era of globalization the USA remains a key player in the world.  Its financial situation reverberates around the world, its domestic politics continue to fascinate, and its foreign policy has profound consequences wherever you may live.  The Americas has many diverse and complex cultures to explore, such as Hispanic/Latinos, Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and European traditions .

You can also study a semester abroad in your final year at one of our contact universities in the United States or in Mexico which will give an extra cultural dimension to your experiences.

The Department of American Studies is a friendly place to study with much emphasis on the learning experience of students and creating an exciting environment to develop your academic skills.  Our lecturers are all research active and published members of the academic community and incorporate their expertise into their teaching modules.

You can also study American Studies with other disciplines, such as English, History, International Relations, and a language.  As the department is situated in the School of Languages and Area Studies you can also opt to take a language as part of your degree or simply out of interest (with the results having no influence over your degree mark!).  There is a wide range of languages available from French or Spanish to Chinese, Japanese, or Arabic.

For more information about what you will study on the American Studies courses, click on the link to the relevant course at the top of this page, then click on the 'what will I study?' button in the top left-hand corner of that page.