American Studies

American studies is the multidisciplinary examination of the United States as a historical, cultural, literary, and political entity. To understand America is, in many respects, to understand the global forces that have shaped the contemporary world: the rise of capitalism, the legacy of slavery and colonialism, the politics of immigration and identity, the spread of popular culture, and the projection of military and economic power across the globe. These are not purely American questions, but they are questions to which American history and culture offer some of the most revealing and contested answers.

At Swansea University, this three-year full-time programme approaches the United States through multiple lenses, drawing on history, literature, politics, film studies, and cultural theory to build a rich and critical understanding of American society from its colonial origins to the present. You will study the political institutions and ideological traditions of the United States, engage with its literature and popular culture, and examine the historical processes that have made America what it is, including its relationship with indigenous peoples, the history of race and civil rights, the development of American capitalism, and the country's changing role in the world. A typical entry tariff of 120 points makes the programme accessible to a range of students, and Swansea's location and strong research connections in American studies give the programme depth.

Graduates of American studies go on to work in journalism, education, law, international relations, the civil service, cultural organisations, politics, and the creative industries. The interdisciplinary skills the degree develops, combining historical analysis, literary interpretation, and political understanding, are valued across a very wide range of careers. Postgraduate study in American studies, politics, history, or cultural studies is a natural progression for those who wish to specialise further.