American Studies and Latin American Studies BA

This course provides you with the opportunity to combine the learning of the Spanish language with study of the history, culture, politics, literature and film of North America, Spanish-America and, where appropriate, British and Iberian histories and cultures. By examining different parts of the Americas – the United States, Canada and Latin America – alongside one another, the programme provides you with a unique opportunity to broaden the scope of 'American studies' and to begin to view America in a hemispheric perspective. You will spend your third year abroad.
Year one
You will be introduced to the basic themes and events of American history, and the key authors and texts of American literature from European settlement to the present. In Spanish, you will begin a structured course in the language to take you from beginners' to degree level and you will also be introduced to aspects of Spanish American history, culture and art.
Year two
You will broaden your study by undertaking a survey of North American Regions, complementing the first-year surveys of history and literature, and by selecting specialised modules to enable you to study certain periods, events, authors or texts in more depth. You will develop your knowledge of Spanish to prepare you for the year abroad and deepen and widen your knowledge of more aspects of Spanish American history, culture, cinema and literature.
Year three
Usually spent in Spanish America either studying in a higher education institution, working as an assistant in a school or on a work placement.
For more information see our Year Abroad page.
Year four
You will continue and extend the process of specialisation. You will write a dissertation on a subject of your choice, supervised by staff at Nottingham, who are active researchers in your field. The dissertation provides a valuable opportunity for multidisciplinary study and also provides students who wish to combine the joint elements of the degree with a unique...