BA Degree in American Studies

An International Education,
A London Location,
A Global Future

Flexible Curriculum at Richmond University

Flexible Start Dates

With the opportunity to start your
course in the Autumn (Fall) or the Spring

British and international internships

Richmond offers all students the opportunity to take an internship

Richmond The American University in London

Academic Requirements

We accept qualifications from around the world

BA Degree in American Studies

Programme Overview
As the UK’s only American Studies programme based in an American Liberal Arts university, Richmond’s BA in American Studies aims to develop an understanding of the United States of America from an international perspective. The programme enables students to take courses in American history, politics and foreign policy alongside courses on film, literature, popular music, globalisation and contemporary popular culture – sharing courses with students majoring in International Relations, Politics, History, Communications, Journalism and other disciplines. Students studying American Studies will have the opportunity to benefit from the numerous exchange possibilities with universities and colleges in the United States and Canada.

Programme Specification 2017-18

Why Study This Programme

Appreciate the history, politics and culture of the ‘Americas’ – including the changing relationships between the USA, Canada and Latin America.
Understand American politics and culture in terms of global interconnections.
Specialise in specific aspects of American politics and culture including US politics and foreign policy, American history and culture including film, music, theatre, art and design).
Understand the evolution of the USA as a global superpower.
Develop an understanding of American politics, history and culture in relationship to associated disciplines such as International Relations, Political Science, Communications and Art & Design.
Study abroad in the USA or Canada through Richmond’s partner programmes.

Career Paths

Career paths for American Studies graduates

Media
Marketing
Advertising
Music and Film industry
Events Management

Graduates

Where do Richmond’s American Studies graduates go?*

This is a recent programme and the first cohort has not yet completed, but graduates from the School of Communications, Arts & Social Sciences have progressed to:

In the workplace

Barons Court Theatre
Boston Ballet
Christies
Victoria and Albert Museum
Vogue Magazine

Graduate School

College of Law
London College of Fashion
London School of Economics and Political Science
Monterey Institute of International Studies
Royal Central School of Speech & Drama

* Figures and information supplied by the Department of Alumni Relations

Assessment

How Will I be Assessed?

The teaching and learning strategy adopted within the degree programmes based in the School of Communications, Arts, and Social Sciences is based on the understanding that all students will be treated as active learners. Clearly, the precise approach will vary from course to course, depending on the learning outcomes relevant to each class.

The more generic components of our teaching and learning strategy normally involves a variety of approaches and include delivering many of the following:

Regular use of formal lecture sessions in most courses.
Regular use of individual and/or team-based projects in many courses.
Use of audio-visual and library resources in many courses.
Use of computer laboratory and/or Centre for New Media to learn and apply analytical and/or creative/professional techniques.
Occasional workshops and seminars in some courses.
Student presentations in some courses.
Regular use of tutor- and student-led discussion groups via e-learning platforms such as PowerCAMPUS in some courses
Regular use of self-directed and directed reading in all courses.

Students pursuing degrees in any one of the academic areas in the School of Communications, Arts, and Social Sciences are assessed through their ability to absorb material delivered in the classroom as well as through their ability carry out independent research. There are also a variety of project-based courses in the upper division within which students work in teams. Students are also assessed though a variety of methods, including tests, project briefs and term-papers. Most courses further assess students through the use of end of term exams.

All of our classes follow a University-defined set of Assessment Norms. The purpose here is to ensure equity and fairness for all students.

I study on this programme

Studying for a BA in American Studies at Richmond University was the best decision I made in the last three years (better than the time I said yes to eating an oven baked tarantula, lightly salted).

The classes at Richmond are small – in terms of student numbers, but also dimensionally – and all the better for it. Class discussions are the perfect setting to explore the subject and extract sordid details.

Class contact hours are numerous and the work load is high but time spent with our tutors is extensive which I know, having done the first year of my degree at a British University, is an exceptional quality unique to Richmond University.

With quite a broad subject, taking the degree in the direction I want to is routinely encouraged, as is free thinking and the development of my ideas.

If you want a challenge and to develop an incredible understanding in your field, Richmond American International University in London is the place to go, despite its lengthy title which I may have just got wrong.

Emily KimberBA degree in American Studies (with optional study in the USA)

Faculty who teach on this programme: