American Studies with a Foundation Year, BA (Hons)

This course is available through Clearing

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3rd in the UK for American Studies

The Guardian University Guide 2021

Key Course Details

UK
International

4 Year Full Time

UCAS Code: T70A
Mode of Study: Campus Based
Typical Offer: See Entry Requirements
Location: Singleton Park Campus

Start Date	Tuition Fees - Year 1
Sep 2021	£ 9,000

4 Year Full Time

UCAS Code: T70A
Mode of Study: Campus Based
Typical Offer: CDD / DDD - More Information
Location: Singleton Park Campus

Start Date	Tuition Fees - Year 1
Sep 2021	£ 15,550

This course is available through Clearing

Complete your Clearing and accommodation application by 31 July to receive a guaranteed offer of University accommodation.

Clearing Help and Support 0800 094 9071

Apply Through Clearing

Course Overview

American Studies covers the culture, history and politics of the most influential country in the world, and studying this four-year integrated BA degree opens up a range of exciting career possibilities by helping you to develop transferable skills, which are highly valued by employers.

The foundation year gives you an exciting introduction to higher education, exploring the humanities and social sciences before progressing to the full degree programme. It’s ideal if you need a little more support after further education or if you are returning to education after a gap.

You will have the chance to explore American history, literature, politics and culture, stretching from colonization to the presidency of Donald Trump.

Why American Studies with a Foundation Year at Swansea?

Based on our stunning Singleton Park campus, in parkland overlooking Swansea Bay on the edge of the Gower Peninsula, American Studies at Swansea is ranked 3rd in the Guardian University Guide 2021.

You will have the option of spending a semester in the USA, further enhancing your student experience and career prospects.

Your American Studies with a Foundation Year Experience

During your foundation year, you will explore what it means to be human – studying a range of humanities and social science topics to introduce you to university-level study.

You will start the degree course in your second year, when we offer varied and flexible course content, so you can shape your American Studies degree to your own interests, whether in American film, music, race, gender, migration and urbanization, social, economic and military history, terrorism, or civil rights and political protest.

Our interdisciplinary approach means you can make connections with a range of subject areas – from music to politics.

Teaching is informed by our world-leading research and you can attend seminars organised through our guest speaker programme.

You will have an academic mentor for any pastoral and academic support you may need, and the American Studies Student Society organises a range of social and cultural events.

American Studies with a Foundation Year Employment Opportunities

American Studies is ranked in the Top 5 (3rd) for Career Prospects in the Times Higher Good University Guide 2021.

Students on this course typically develop excellent oral and writing skills and you will learn to present your ideas in a range of formats, along with strong research, analytical and problem-solving skills.

Our graduates enter careers in a wide range of sectors including:

Education
Marketing
Government
Research
Events management

Modules

In your first (foundation) year, you will explore what it means to be human – studying a range of humanities and social science topics to prepare you for the degree itself.

Your early studies will introduce you to the history, politics, culture and literature of America.

You will then choose your pathway with modules to suit your own interests, before focusing in depth on your chosen research project to produce your final dissertation.

Year 0 (Level 3)

Entry Level 3 / Foundation Year

Compulsory Modules

Module Name	Credits	Semester	Module Code
Academic Writing and Skills Development	20	September-January	FY-011
Introduction to Being Human	20	September-January	FY-012
Introduction to Research	20	September-January	FY-015
Critical Reflection and Problem Solving	20	January-June	FY-014
Research Essay	20	January-June	FY-016
Social Science	20	January-June	FY-019

Year 1 (Level 4)

FHEQ 4 Undergraduate / HECert

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules

Module Name	Credits	Semester	Module Code
The American Experience 1492-2000	20	September-January	AM-111
Introduction to American Studies	20	September-January	AM-117
American Politics and Society	20	January-June	AM-112
Introduction to American Literature and Culture	20	January-June	AM-113

Optional Modules

Optional Modules - Semester 1

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Select ONE module

Module Name	Credits	Semester	Module Code
Europe of Extremes, 1789 - 1989	20	September-January	HIH121
Living Well and Doing Good - An Introduction to Ethics	20	September-January	HUP104
Introduction to International Relations	20	September-January	PO-126
Introduction to Politics	20	September-January	PO-131
Theories of War	20	September-January	WS-100

AND

Optional Modules - Semester 2

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Select ONE module

Module Name	Credits	Semester	Module Code
Political Philosophy	20	January-June	HUP133
War and Peace in the Nuclear Age	20	January-June	PO-118
Politics and the People	20	January-June	PO-119
War and Society in the Modern Era	20	January-June	WS-101

Year 2 (Level 5)

FHEQ 5 Undergraduate / HEDip

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules

None found.

Optional Modules

Optional Module Choices - Semester 1

Choose Exactly 60 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Select three modules. Students must select at least four AM coded modules in total during the year.

Module Name	Credits	Semester	Module Code
Race and Ethnicity: American Perspectives	20	September-January	AM-204
The Making of Transatlantic America	20	September-January	AM-217
America in Crisis: Political Culture and Society from the Tet Offensive to Trump	20	September-January	AM-251
Globalisation	20	September-January	PO-222
The First World War	20	September-January	WS-201

AND

Optional Modules - Semester 2

Choose Exactly 60 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Select three modules. Students must select at least four AM coded modules in total during the year.

Module Name	Credits	Semester	Module Code
American Word/American Image	20	January-June	AM-215
Re-Thinking the South: Southern Culture and History, 1865-1955	20	January-June	AM-218
New York City: History and Culture since 1945	20	January-June	AM-253
Moralities of War and Peace	20	January-June	PO-239
The History of Political Thought	20	January-June	PO-245
British Politics and Public Policy	20	January-June	PO-281
Contemporary Wars and Conflicts	20	January-June	WS-200

Year 3 (Level 6)

FHEQ 6 Undergraduate / Honours

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules

Module Name	Credits	Semester	Module Code
American Studies Dissertation	40	September-June	AM-336

Optional Modules

Optional Module Choices

Choose Exactly 80 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Students must select 120 credits per year, 60 credits in each teaching block. 100 credits must be of AM coded modules or from modules in the cognate disciplines as listed below. It is recommended that students select 80 credits of AM coded modules.

Module Name	Credits	Semester	Module Code
African American Literature 1910-1940: The Harlem Renaissance	20	September-January	AM-333
Clear and Present Danger: Terrorism and America	20	September-January	AM-338
Popular Music and the City	20	September-January	AM-339
Gunfighter Nation: the West in History, Mythology and Fiction	20	September-January	HUA301
Parliamentary Studies	20	September-January	PO-3121
The Aftermaths of War	20	September-January	WS-303
Contemporary American Fiction	20	January-June	AM-316
America and the Bomb	20	January-June	AM-330
The American Civil War in History and Memory	20	January-June	AM-335
Capitalism and Justice: inequality, power and prosperity in contemporary economies	20	January-June	PO-3325
Overlord: War, Societies, and the Battle for Normandy 1944.	20	January-June	WS-306

Entry Requirements

We have vacancies across a variety of subjects for September 2021 entry – please call our Clearing Helpline on 0800 094 9071.

We also welcome enquiries from candidates researching starting a course in 2022 - please see our Entry Requirements Page to find out typical offer ranges or get in touch by email or by telephone 01792 295111.

How You're Taught

Covid 19 Update - Please see the 'Covid Update for Learning and Teaching' expander below.

In the first year of study, you will be taught through lectures and tutorials. Assessment will be coursework, essay and examination.

In the second year, you will learn through seminars and group-work. Assessment will be varied including coursework, essays, group presentations and examination.

In the final year, you will undertake independent study through research methods, a dissertation or practice portfolio and also be taught through seminars and group-work. Assessment includes independent research dissertation, independent presentation, coursework and examination.

Our learning and teaching enhances your key skills that employers look for in graduates as follows:

Self-Management (attending classes, meeting deadlines, preparing for seminars, dissertation)
Teamworking (group presentations, group seminars, study trips and projects)
Customer awareness (study abroad, internships, work placements, student experience)
Problem solving (essay writing, research, examinations)
Communication and literacy (essays, examinations, presentations, project work, dissertation)
Numeracy skills (data analysis, statistics, graphs, datasets)
Information technology (Blackboard, essays, examinations, presentations, social media)

This course offers some modules taught through the medium of Welsh or bilingually for students who consider themselves to be fluent Welsh speakers. For more details on the provision available see the Welsh Provision expander below.

Welsh Provision

Some provision

There are opportunities for Welsh speakers to study some elements of this course through the medium of Welsh but there is not yet enough provision to reach 40 credits in each year.

Academi Hywel Teifi is here to support you throughout your time at Swansea University. We can offer you:

Access to generous Welsh-language study scholarships or bursaries.
Access to modules taught wholly or partly in Welsh.
Access to the Arwain mobile app for the latest information about Welsh-medium courses and modules available to download free on the App Store and Google Play.
An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
The option to receive your personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually.
The option to write and submit your coursework or exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and your work will be marked in Welsh.
A Welsh-speaking Academic Mentor.
One-to-one support to improve your academic Welsh language skills.
An opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence of your Welsh language ability for future employers.
Opportunity to be a member of the Swansea University Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

Visit the Welsh Language Rights webpage for further information about Students' rights to use the Welsh Language.

Continuing to study through the medium of Welsh once you leave school or college is a natural step for you and a way of ensuring your chances of getting the best education. The smaller class sizes will provide you with a great opportunity for support. It will also be a valuable addition to your CV and career development. Opportunities are available for students who are fluent and confident in the language as well as for those who are less confident or who are learners. It is also possible to choose Welsh-medium seminar and tutorial classes for modules taught primarily through the medium of English.

Meet Your Lecturers

Dr Sonja Amadae - Associate Professor
Dr Emel Akcali - Senior Lecturer
Dr David Anderson - Senior Lecturer
Robert Bideleux - Reader
Prof Jonathan Bradbury - Professor
Prof David Bewley-Taylor - Professor
Dr Themis Chronopoulos - Associate Professor
Dr Gerard Clarke - Associate Professor
Prof Alan Collins - Professor
Dr Dion Curry - Senior Lecturer
Dr Ekaterina Kolpinskaya - Lecturer
Dr Paddy McQueen - Senior Lecturer
Dr Steve McVeigh - Associate Professor
Dr Eugene Miakinkov - Lecturer
Cahir O'Doherty - Tutor
Dr Gerry Oram - Tutor
Dr Krijn Peters - Associate Professor
Dr Bettina Petersohn - Lecturer
Dr Dennis Schmidt - Lecturer
Dr Jamie Stacey - Tutor
Prof Mike Sheehan - Professor
Dr Luca Trenta - Senior Lecturer
Dr James Wakefield - Tutor
Dr Matthew Wall - Associate Professor
Dr Bryn Willcock - Lecturer

Tuition Fees

Start Date	UK	International
September 2021	£ 9,000	£ 15,550

Fees for full time Undergraduate UK/EU students may be increased in subsequent years of study by an inflationary amount determined by Welsh Government.

Fees for full time Undergraduate International students will increase by 3% for each subsequent year of study.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

EU Transitional Bursary available for September 2021.

Funding and Scholarships

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Additional Costs

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

Travel to and from campus
Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
Purchase of books or texts
Gowns for graduation ceremonies

Careers and Employability

Swansea Employability Academy (SEA) will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs
Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers
Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities
Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics
Advice and guidance on postgraduate study and funding
Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

We also provide help and advice for Swansea University Alumni up to two years after you graduate.

Academic Support

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal academic mentor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

Academic writing
Maths and statistics
Critical thinking
Time management
Digital skills
Presentation skills
Note taking
Revision, memory and exam techniques
English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability, mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

We care about our students and our aim is to ensure that you achieve the best degree classification. We have a personal mentoring system where you will be allocated an academic mentor. We also have an “open door” policy where our academic teachers are available to talk to you at any time about any queries or academic concerns you may have.

Study Abroad and Global Opportunities

To learn more about study abroad, visit our Go Global webpages. Enrolment on a programme with a semester/year abroad does not guarantee you a semester/year abroad placement. Spaces are limited and subject to a competitive selection process. In the event you do not secure a semester/year abroad placement, you will be transferred to the standard variant of your degree scheme without a semester or year abroad.

International summer programmes are open to students from all colleges. Programmes typically range from 2 to 6 weeks, across destinations such as China, Zambia, South Korea, Japan, Canada and across Europe. For more information about programmes and eligibility visit our Summer Abroad webpages.

How to Apply

Apply now – UK, EU and international students.

For further information please see our Guide to Clearing.

EU students - visa and immigration information is available and will be regularly updated on our information for EU students page.

Covid Update for Learning and Teaching

Covid Update for Learning and Teaching

We have made some changes to the way that we teach this year, with more activities taking place online than usual.

The University calendar runs in teaching blocks. Teaching block one (TB1) runs from September until January and during this block, for this year, you will be taught in a ‘blended’ way. This means that some of your teaching will be delivered online and some will be on campus. The online teaching, where you will be physically apart from your lecturer, can be ‘live’ with your lecturer present and where you’ll be able to interact. Some of it may be self-directed which means that you can access the learning materials at a time to suit you.

Your face-to-face, on campus sessions will be a mixture of:

Programme study groups and workshops

Subject seminars

Study skills workshops

Induction and orientation events

Individual Academic Mentoring meetings

Staff consultation and office hours

Dissertation supervision (Final year and PGT)

Your online learning and teaching may include:

Live streamed lectures

Module seminars, workshops and tutorials

Individual Academic Mentoring meetings

Staff consultation and office hours

Student and staff community events

Dissertation supervision (Final year and PGT)

Self-directed learning will be:

Organised Study Materials

Self-guided study activities

Preparatory and further reading

Recorded lectures

Formative tests and quizzes

Self-study in library

Self-study in PC Labs

Design Group Meetings