English and American Studies BA (Hons)

Over the course of our <strong>English and American Studies BA</strong> you will discover the unique identities of English and American literature, and how the history and culture of each country has affected its written heritage.<br/><br/>English studies will begin in the Renaissance, advancing your knowledge of the periods drama and poetry, before moving through to the literature of the twenty-first century, with stops along the way in the Victorian, Romantic and Modernist periods. Your American Studies modules will introduce you to a history and literary tradition characterised by independence and growth.<br/><br/>Our modules offer a thorough introduction to each topic, and complement each other with a stimulating mix of English and American literature and American history and film. The English courses offer a full history of English from Shakespeare to the present day, as well as firm grounding in a variety of critical approaches, drawn from politics, psychoanalysis and philosophy. The American courses offer an exciting combination of American literature, film and history.<br/><br/>The breadth of the modules that we offer will take you in unexpected directions and allow you to focus on your own areas of interest – particularly in your third year when you will be able to choose from a vast range of option modules. You will have the opportunity to study vital complementary disciplines, including literature, history, film and visual culture, and critical theory.<br/><br/>We understand the importance of experience for both academic and personal growth; as a result, our English and American Studies degree can be taken as either a three-year programme or as a four-year programme, with a year abroad at one of our 35 partner universities in the USA or Canada (subject to academic performance in your first and second years).