AMERICAN STUDIES
AMERICAN STUDIES Welcome to the exciting American Studies degree programme at York St John University. American Studies at York St John offers a popular, broad-based interdisciplinary degree scheme which is among the most stimulating choices for students interested in the liberal arts and social sciences. American Studies is both multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary which means that it combines several academic disciplines, such as literature, history, politics and film, and explores the connections between them. You can develop a pathway through the degree by choosing modules in accordance with your own special interests. We also offer a period of study abroad as part of the degree programme, which is undertaken in the second year of study. This means that you will not only get the chance to study at a different university and experience the United States firsthand but will also gain valuable experience of living in another country, further helping to develop the skills of independence and initiative. An American Studies degree prepares you for a wide range of careers in public relations, advertising, business, law, accountancy, administration, the civil service, sales, marketing, publishing, public relations, the media, journalism, and teaching. In addition to proficiency in core skills (critical, analytical, conceptual, communication, research, planning, and presentation skills), the employability of our American Studies graduates is further increased by the availability of work placements and, of course, study abroad opportunities. A degree at York St John University is a lifelong investment and we believe in supporting students to develop vital professional skills throughout their time with us. We look forward to working with you as you embark upon this new and exciting chapter of your academic life. Dr James Cooper Subject Director: History, American Studies and War Studies
York St John provides a lot of opportunities for voluntary work, work experience, and other activities and events that can really help you springboard into the right career. The ‘History: Community and Culture’ module in second year involved lectures about industries relevant to my course and a short work experience placement within the industry. For me, this was at the Yorkshire Film Archive, where I was able to put the analytical and research skills I had developed during my degree to practical use. I also had the chance to study abroad, something I would highly recommend! It was a really incredible experience that opened my eyes to new ways of studying, problem solving and to how important being adaptive and flexible is. This issomething I know employers look out for. Eloise Thompson, History & American Studies BA (Hons)
100%
of American Studies & History BA (Hons) and American Studies & Film Studies BA (Hons) students were satisfied with their course. (National Student Survey 2019)
OUR MODULES INCLUDE: YEAR 1 American Foundations Familiarise yourself with American Studies by focussing on key myths/ themes of the US experience, such as mission, freedom, the American Dream, the Melting Pot and multiculturalism. Cinema and Society The module introduces you to the skills of film analysis in an American historical context. We focus upon a series of key theme including women in Hollywood, race and the cinema, crime and the city, politics, war and film and youth culture. YEAR 2 From Slavery to Freedom This module aims to examine the major historical and cultural developments surrounding the experience of African Americans under slavery and freedom. It will also examine the forces underlying the origins, development, abolition and effects of the institution of slavery in the United States. From Harlem to Hip Hop This interdisciplinary module aims to introduce students to key concepts in African American social, political, and cultural history in the 20th and 21st century. You will examine literary texts alongside music, film, television programmes, visual art, and other media in order to investigate the cultural and intertextual contexts and resonances of African American culture.
A Nation Divided: American Civil War This module will examine the history of the American Civil War, will confront and evaluate the historical debates surrounding the conflict, and will examine the social and political forces which have shaped subsequent historical and popular cultural portrayals of the American Civil War. YEAR 3 Film and the American Imagination Explore diverse notions of American culture and identity. You will investigate how America has imagined itself through film and consider historical patterns and continuities through contextual frameworks. Pop Americana This module examines contemporary popular culture as a site of ideological, political and cultural discourse. We consider the ways in which popular culture draws from, utilises and subverts America’s past ideas and imagery. You will assess the ways in which popular forms (animation, comic books, movies, television, internet sites, music) react to social and cultural change. American Radicals Read Native American, African American, Chicana and Asian American texts alongside literature produced in the wake of radical social change such as Beat writing, Vietnam narratives, and responses to 9/11. In doing so you will explore the cultural, social, and political background of the 20th century American experience.
JOINT HONOURS Students often find that their interests overlap more than one of the academic disciplines on offer. Because we recognise that your interests may be broader than a single subject area, there is the option to study different combinations of these courses as a joint honours degree. We currently offer joint honours in: — History & American Studies BA (Hons) — American Studies & Film Studies BA (Hons)
We also offer: — Human Geography with American Studies BA (Hons)
This means that around 75% of your degree will be focused on Human Geography and 25% on American Studies.
OUR RESEARCH The American Studies team are experts in their specialist fields and regularly publish with British and International journals and publishers. Teaching on the American Studies programme is research-led, which means that you are always at the cutting edge of historical, cultural, and political investigations of the United States. Our research specialisms include: — US political history
— African-American literature and culture
— Crime fiction and culture
— War writing
— Women’s writing
— US military history
— Presidential history
— Trauma literature
— US culture wars
— American cinema
STUDY ABROAD As part of your American Studies degree you have the option to spend a semester abroad at one of our partner institutions in the United States. This life-changing experience can improve academic performance and increase employability, provide positive career opportunities, develop greater selfunderstanding and confidence, and provide a better understanding of personal and cultural values and biases. The Study Abroad programme at York St John University is an enriching opportunity for you to experience life in another country. While you study in the United States you will earning academic credits which count towards your final York St John University degree. There are no extra tuition fees for taking this amazing opportunity! The UK government and the university are committed to promoting Study Abroad. You will receive a generous fee reduction on your annual York St John University fees and will not have to pay tuition fees to your host institution. York St John offers academic links with some excellent campuses in the United States, and we are always looking to broaden our list of institutional partners. We currently have study abroad options with: — Keene State College in New Hampshire — Juniata College in Pennsylvania — Pacific University in Oregon
PLACEMENTS IN THE COMMUNITY The American Studies programme work with a number of organisations in York, all offering fantastic opportunities to work on special city-focused projects. Our connections include the York Army Museum, the Rowndtree Society, and Yorkshire Film Archive, where students have explored the treasures of the archives to create exhibitions about York’s Roman past or produce online resources that depict the filmed history of the City.
HISTORY AND AMERICAN STUDIES BLOG Follow our blog to find out more about the field trips, placement projects and other opportunities studying History and American Studies at York St John University can offer you. Check out the blog online: www.ysjuhistory.wordpress.com Follow us on Twitter: @YSJAmStuds
At York St John University we’ve been changing lives through education since 1841. We have a long history of championing social justice and expanding opportunities. Our research and our teaching reflect this.
97% of York St John University graduates were in work or further study six months after graduation (DLHE 2017).
People from almost
60
different countries study at York St John University. When you graduate you will become part of a global community who are proud to be part of the YSJ Family.
/YorkStJohnUniversity @YorkStJohn @YorkStJohn ADMISSIONS INFORMATION E: admissions@yorksj.ac.uk T: 01904 876598 www.yorksj.ac.uk
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PLACEMENT YEARS Almost all of our Undergraduate courses can now be studied with a placement year in industry, giving you more real-world experience to boost your career.
STUDY ABROAD Most of our courses include the option to study abroad for a year or a semester without adding extra time to your degree. We have links with partner institutions all around the world.