Ноттингемский университет, BA (Hons), American and English Studies

Year 1: In American studies, students are introduced to the basic themes and events of American history, and the key authors and texts of American literature; in English, students gain familiarity with the practices of working at degree level and are introduced to language and modern literature in core English modules and may be able to choose a module introducing medieval studies or drama. Year 2: In American studies, students broaden their knowledge by undertaking a survey of American thought and culture; selecting from a range of specialised modules allows students to study certain periods, events, authors or texts in more depth; in English, students reflect on, and develop, their 1st year studies by taking a core module in literary theory and further modules in English language, modern literary culture, medieval studies and/or performance analysis. Year 3: Study abroad year: the study abroad year is undertaken by those students registered for the 4-year programme; students attend a major North American university for an academic year, where students are required to take a certain proportion of their courses in American studies, but are also encouraged to take advantage of the wide range of alternative modules offered in most American and Canadian universities; students' choice of modules are supervised by staff at Nottingham; the year abroad is a unique opportunity to experience North American culture and society. Year 4: Students extend the process of specialisation and by the end of the degree are expected to show initiative in their work and have some independence of judgement; in American studies, students write a dissertation and choose from a selection of advanced level modules in North American history, literature, culture and film; in English, students choose from a range of advanced level options enabling them to specialise in key areas.

The course selects the more literary and cultural aspects of the American studies degree and the more modern and literary aspects of the English studies degree to enable students to form a comparative view of the development of English and American literatures and cultures; students may apply to transfer at the beginning of year 2 to a 4-year degree course, involving a year spent at a North American university, depending on students' examination results and other considerations.