The American and Canadian Studies with year abroad BA begins by giving students a foundation in the core disciplines of American history, American literature and Canadian Studies, as well introducing crucial research skills through project-based learning. In subsequent years you’ll continue to study these core disciplines, at the same time as developing your own individual programme of study by selecting from options in history, literature, film or visual studies.

First year

At its core, this programme first revolves around the study of North American history and literature and then branches out to explore politics, culture, film and the United States’ international relations, in ways that become increasingly specialised. These elements can be combined in different ways and to different degrees depending on how your interests evolve. Opportunity exists to present assessments in a variety of forms, including audio-visual modes.

You take a foundation course in American History and Literature up to 1890, together with an introduction to Canadian Studies. A group project module provides you with key research and IT skills. An ancillary study of a subject such as Film Studies will also be undertaken.

• First year module descriptions in detail

Second year

You will continue to study history and culture from 1890 to the present but you’ll also develop your own interests - political, sociological, literary or multicultural - by selecting specialist options modules – be these political, sociological, literary or multicultural .You will also get the chance to become an exchange student at the Free University, Berlin's J F Kennedy Institute.A group project 'skills' module provides you with key research and IT skills and you can also take additional subjects such as Film Studies. Second year modules have included:

• Second year module descriptions in detail

Third Year - Your Year Abroad

You will spend the third year in North America studying with one of our exchange partner Universities. Once at these Universities you are free to select from a wide range of American and Canadian civilisation courses.  In recent years our students have been to the following universities:

University of Wyoming-Laramie, University of Iowa, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, University of Virginia, University of Mississippi, University of Cincinnati, McGill University, Dalhousie University, Simon Fraser University, University of Alabama, Berry College, Southern Birmingham College, University of Ottawa, University of Toronto

While abroad you are free to study a wide range of American and Canadian civilisation courses and to begin research on your dissertation, which is then completed in the final year of study back in Birmingham. This year abroad counts towards your final degree.

Please note, you must pass the second year course with a mark of at least 50% to be eligible for study abroad.

We also offer a limited number of students an internship (a work placement) working with the British American Business Council (the BABC) or a company who have membership of the BABC. Currently, these internships are located in Chicago, but, working with the BABC, we expect to broaden this programme out to take in other US cities in future years. In the third year you research your dissertation, which is then completed in the final year of study back in Birmingham. The year abroad counts towards your final degree.

• more information on the year abroad options

Final year

Your final-year modules are drawn from a wide range of options which examine multiculturalism, cross-cultural themes, contemporary literature and film, American international history and politics. At the very centre of your studies is a year long Dissertation project, which gives you a chance to develop your own interests in considerable depth, whilst learning how to handle a sustained programme of research.

• Final year modules in detail

Meet this year's graduates

How will I be taught?

As a Birmingham student, you are joining the academic elite and have the privilege of learning from world-leading experts in their fields. Throughout your studies, you’ll be encouraged to become an independent and self-motivated learner, thriving on challenge and opportunities to think for yourself. At first, you may find these new ways of working and learning a challenge, but we’ll help you to make the transition and you’ll soon be benefiting from some of the most highly regarded teaching in this subject in the country.

Lectures explore a particular text, topic or context, often involving brief factual descriptions and outlining major questions and interpretations. Their main purpose is to challenge and stimulate, encouraging you to come to your own conclusions based on further reading and seminar debates.

Small-group tutorials/personal tutorials run alongside the lecture course, addressing any individual problems you may have and allowing you to consolidate lecture material, engage in constructive debate and expand your understanding. Some options and all final-year special subjects are also taught in small seminar groups.

Workshops fall somewhere between a lecture and a seminar. After a short lecture, the workshop takes the form of group activities and project-based work. Working from previously circulated material, you’ll approach critically different aspects of a problem or issue, developing and deepening themes and questions raised in the introductory lecture.

Supervised self study. In your final year you’ll undertake your dissertation, a substantial piece of independent research. We support you in this through a series of workshops, as well as one-on-one supervisions with a tutor who’ll be an academic expert in your chosen topic

Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) is an excellent tool for supporting our academic modules, allowing you to share throughts on assignments with other students via the discussion group facilities, and even submit your work electronically.

Enquiry Based Learning (EBL) means that learning is driven by the shared enquiry of students and tutors. This places you, the student, at the centre of your own degree: you learn through involvement and ownership, not simply by being a passive recipient of information thrown at you.  We believe that this is the best way of learning while you’re at Birmingham as it’s very effective in enabling you to acquire the key skills and attributes that are valued by employers: creative and independent thinking, self-motivation, self-organisation, team-working, goal-setting and problem-solving. 

Support

Personal Tutor

From the outset, you will be assigned your own Personal Tutor who will get to know you as you progress through your studies, providing academic and welfare advice, encouraging you and offering assistance in any areas you may feel you need extra support to make the most of your potential and your time here at Birmingham.

Student Mentor Scheme

Our enthusiastic established students act as mentors to our new American and Canadian Studies students.  This provides you with a friendly face to help you settle in. 

Academic Writing Advisory Service

The Academic Writing Advisory Service (AWAS) will provide you with individual support from an academic writing advisor and postgraduate subject-specialist writing tutors.  You’ll receive guidance on writing essays and dissertations at University-level which can be quite different from your previous experiences of writing.  Support is given in a variety of ways, such as small-group workshops, online activities, feedback through email and tutorials.

As a student of American and Canadian Studies you’ll have an excellent opportunity to develop skills that are highly prized by employers, as well as benefitting from the diversity offered by this multidisciplinary degree. Our graduates understand complex information, write clearly and effectively, can build a case for a particular view, strategy or course of action, respect the views of others even if they disagree with them, and generally think for themselves.   Your year abroad will be an asset to you when you apply for jobs. Talking about your experiences abroad will help you stand out in job interviews and help to demonstrate your confidence and maturity to employers. 

Over 50% of job vacancies advertised for new and recent graduates don’t specify a degree subject, so as a graduate of American and Canadian Studies you’ve a vast potential to enter a wide range of careers, including government, the media, law, accountancy, advertising, human resources and retail management, teaching, research and many other types of employment that offer graduate entry schemes. About 25% of our graduates choose postgraduate study to extend their knowledge of this and similar disciplines, or to prepare for careers such as law and teaching.

The University of Birmingham has graduate employability rates for American and Canadian Studies graduates are above the national average and in the top 10 UK universities for the subject. Ninety -five per cent of our American and Canadian Studies graduates go into work or study within six months of graduation. They start careers with employers including the BBC, Freud Communications, Maverick TV and the National Youth Theatre, in roles as diverse as Business Development Executive, Events Co-ordinator, Financial Analyst, Marketing Executive, Production Assistant, Research Assistant and Youth Mentor.

Whether you have a clear idea of where your future aspirations lie or want to consider the broad range of opportunities available once you have a Birmingham degree, our Careers Network can help you achieve your goal. This is a unique careers guidance service tailored to your academic subject area, offering a specialised team who can give you expert advice. This includes individual careers advice and events to give you insight into the professions and employers of interest to arts graduates. Our 'Creative careers' series is always popular with our students, and features events with employers and professionals from areas such as advertising, PR and communications, careers in journalism and writing, and careers in the theatre.

We also hold events covering careers in teaching, event management, marketing and working with charities; our internship officer develops links with local arts organisations to create some amazing opportunities for students; and you can even apply for our ‘Global Challenge’ to work overseas on an expenses paid placement during your summer vacation.

Extra-curricular activities

To enhance your career prospects even further, you will need to think about engaging in some extra-curricular activities while you're at university to broaden your skills and your network of contacts. This can include the many societies at the Guild of Students and also the many voluntary opportunities offered with local arts organisations. Our employer-endorsed award-winning Personal Skills Award (PSA) recognises your extra-curricular activities, and provides an accredited employability programme designed to improve your career prospects.

Our College of Arts and Law undergraduate research scholarship scheme enables interested students to work on a current academic research project being run by one of the College's academic researchers. Undergraduate research scholars gain work experience over the summer after their first or second year and have the chance to develop skills in both collaborative and independent research.

Cultural Internships

Our innovative Cultural Internships offer graduates the opportunity for a six month paid internship at a leading cultural institution in the West Midlands. These internships are a unique opportunity to learn fundamental, transferable business and interpersonal skills, through experience of real work in an established cultural institution. Our current partners include Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery, Birmingham Royal Ballet, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Ironbridge Gorge Museums Trust and the Library of Birmingham. We have plans to expand the scheme to include our own major cultural assets, such as Winterbourne House, the Lapworth Museum, and the Barber Institute of Fine Arts. This scheme will give you professional experience to set you apart in a competitive graduate market.