American Studies (with a study abroad year) BA (Hons)

at University of Sussex

Year 1

Core modules

Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

Autumn teaching

• Introduction to American Studies

• Roots of America: From Colonial Settlement to the Civil War and Reconstruction

• Writing Early America: Literature to 1800

Spring teaching

• Critical Approaches 2

• Modern America

• Writing the New Nation: 1800-1900

Year 2

Core modules

Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

Autumn teaching

• American Literature in the Long Twentieth Century

• Theoretical Concepts for American Studies

• Understanding The African American Experience

Spring teaching

• American Cities

Year 3

Options

You choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.

While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.

Autumn teaching

• American Studies Dissertation

• American Teen Cinema: Coming of Age on Screen

• Race and Ethnicity in Popular Cinema

• Special Subject: Israel - US Special Relations and the New Diplomatic History Part A

• Special Subject: The Civil Rights Movement

• The Golden State: Art in California, 1945-1981

Autumn and spring teaching

• History Special Dissertation Israel - US Relations

• History Special Dissertation: Israel - US Relations and the New Diplomatic History

• History Special Dissertation: The Civil Rights Movement

Spring teaching

• America in the 21st Century

• Hollywood Industry and Imaginary

• Queer Literatures

• School Placement Project

• Special Subject: Israel - US Relations and the New Diplomatic History Part B

• What is War

International Baccalaureate

Typical offer    

30 -32 points overall from the full IB Diploma.

European Baccalaureate

Typical offer    

Overall result of at least 75% to 77%.

Other international qualifications

Typical offer    

Standard XII results

• 80% from ISC Indian School certificate of Education (CISCE)  

• 80% from SSC All India Senior School Certificate Examination (CBSE)

• 80% HSC Higher Secondary Certificate ( Maharashtra )

English language requirements

• IELTS (Academic): 6.0 overall, including at least 5.5 in each component

Home students: £9,250 per year

Channel Islands and Isle of Man students: £9,250 per year

International students: £18,500 per year

You gain skills in critical thinking across disciplines, attention to detail, flexibility of thought, self-confidence, teamwork, research and written communication.

Using the cultural and social insights from your year abroad, you can work in fields such as:

• design

• media and publishing

• public relations and marketing

• business and research

• arts and events

• the Civil Service

• non-profit organisations.

Our recent American Studies graduates have started work as:

• Junior Account Executive, Alexandra Public Relations

• Fundraising and Social Media Officer, St Michael’s Fellowship

• Education Co-ordinator, Whitechapel Gallery