American Studies

Overview

At Manchester, we train our students to be attentive to the counter-currents of US history and literature, and our course places a particular emphasis on the themes of race, capitalism, sexuality, the cultures of labour, and political protest.

You will master the approaches and tools found in several academic disciplines, including cultural theory, history, visual studies, literature and politics. You will also learn how to analyse and discuss a wide variety of materials.

Aims

• provide a systematic introduction to key aspects of American literature, history, politics and film, exploiting their interdependence and distinctiveness within the discipline of American Studies;

• encourage independent study, the spirit of enquiry and a commitment to scholarly method appropriate to the field of American Studies;

• help you develop powers of critical and analytical thinking, the ability to apply these to primary and secondary texts, and written and oral communication skills;

• give you the opportunity to benefit from an optional period of study abroad at a North American partner university.

Career opportunities

Study American Studies course at The University of Manchester and you will come away with a range of versatile skills that can be applied to various roles across a host of industries, including writing, publishing, journalism, librarianship, teaching and marketing.

You will have various opportunities to improve your skills and make yourself more employable through your course, as well as through events, schemes and guidance provided by the University Careers Service. These range from work experience and mentoring to networking events and workshops.