American Literature and Culture University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Overview

The American Literature and Culture programme at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) provides a rigorous exploration of the contested meanings and diverse narratives that define the American experience. Students engage with a wide range of intellectual frameworks to understand America as both a real and imagined place.

This major encourages a capacious view of cultural production, moving beyond traditional national boundaries to include local, regional, oceanic, and hemispheric perspectives. By examining migratory and multiethnic contexts, the curriculum fosters a deep self-consciousness regarding the methods and assumptions used in literary inquiry.

The Department of English provides a vibrant academic environment where students benefit from world-class resources and a dedicated faculty.

Why American Literature and Culture at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)?

The university is home to the renowned Department of English, which offers students access to exceptional facilities such as the English Reading Room and the Clark Library. These resources provide an unparalleled environment for research and the study of rare manuscripts and cultural texts.

Students benefit from a distinctive teaching approach that integrates various research groups, including the Americanist Research Colloquium and the Nineteenth-Century Group. These collaborative spaces allow undergraduates to engage with cutting-edge scholarship and participate in a community dedicated to literary excellence.

The programme also offers unique opportunities for academic growth through the Honors Program and the Author in Residence initiative. These features ensure that students receive a high level of mentorship while developing their own critical voices within one of the world's leading research institutions.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: USD 53302 per year
• National fee: USD 53302 per year
• Local fee: USD 15700 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is structured to cover broad thematic areas through upper-division coursework. Modules may include:

• Beginnings, Events, and Trajectories
• Indigeneity
• Imperialism
• Settlement
• Political Founding
• Property
• Slavery
• Abolition
• Suffrage
• Civil Rights
• Free Speech
• Places, Communities, and Environments
• Cities
• Suburbs
• Rural Life
• Borders
• Immigration
• Migration
• Oceans
• Wilderness
• Ecosystems
• Aesthetics, Genres, and Technologies
• Romanticism
• Transcendentalism
• Realism
• Modernism
• Post-modernism
• Science Fiction
• Architecture
• Visual Arts
• Performance
• Film
• Television
• Internet

Careers with American Literature and Culture

Graduates from this programme are equipped with versatile analytical and communication skills that are highly valued across numerous professional sectors. The rigorous training in critical writing and cultural analysis prepares students for diverse career paths in various industries.

Common destinations for graduates include roles in professional writing, media, and education. Many students also leverage their research experience to pursue advanced studies in law, journalism, or public policy, benefiting from the strong academic foundation provided by the university.

The department supports career development through community internships and research opportunities. These experiences allow students to apply their knowledge of American narratives to practical settings, enhancing their employability in both local and international organisations.