Major - English Language and Literature Minor - American Studies An-Najah National University

Overview

The American Studies programme offers a package of elective and compulsory courses (8 courses- total 24 credit hours) which students are required to pass. In the minor programme, students are given the chance to conduct research and study topics on American history, culture, literature, foreign policy, ethnic groups and other related topics. The Major - English Language and Literature Minor - American Studies program of the An-Najah National University aims at developing students’ cross cultural communication and research production skills.

By introducing the American Studies minor programme, An-Najah aspires to integrate its students into other cultures regardless of existing political boundaries.

Industry

The Department is a major provider of teachers of English to Palestinian schools in different parts of Palestine. It has strong relationships with the local schools and  the governmental bodies that cater for education. The Department organizes frequent training programs and courses to which school teachers are invited.

In the domain of translation, the Department offers an MA in translation and the graduates of the program are providing the Palestinian job market with professional translators, interpreters and translation researchers.

In the domain of American Studies, the Department has  one MoU with Ithaca College in New York. The MoU is based on cooperation in education. One program is titled “Classroom Beyond Borders” in which teachers and students on both sides liaise through videoconferencing to discuss literary works such as autobiography and other forms of narrative.

Teaching and Learning

The English Department adopts student-centered approaches in teaching and learning. The students are continuously engaged in in-class presentations, group discussions and research. One dominant approach is the social constructivism approach in which students collaborate in a social constructivist environment to construct learning experiences. They build on the information they have and share what they know with others.

Most instructors use e-learning techniques and methods. Several courses in language, literature, linguistics and communication skills are on Moodle. Teachers use Moodle as a platform for discussion, dissemination of information and other learning activities.

In the introductory language courses, teachers use an integrated approach in which all four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) are addressed.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the BA program  in English Language and literature find careers in the domains of teaching English as a foreign language, in public relations departments of different institutions, in NGOs, in private businesses, in telecommunication companies and in translation firms.  Some housewives/mothers opt for freelance translation careers.

Graduates of the English Department who choose the American Studies Minor improve their  chances of employability; their knowledge in American Studies qualifies them to seek employment at political missions and  international organizations.