Course summary

Studying American Studies and Politics gives you the chance to explore the culture, history and politics of the most influential country in the world, alongside many aspects of British and European politics, public policy, political theory and philosophy. This four-year BA American Studies and Politics degree with a year abroad opens up a range of exciting career possibilities by giving students transferable skills, which are highly valued by employers. As a student on the three-year BA programme, you will be joining a subject area ranked Top-10 for teaching experience (Times and Sunday Times 2018), Top-20 in the Guardian University Guide 2018 and Top-20 for career prospects (Guardian University Guide 2018) for Politics. American Studies is ranked 1st in NSS (Complete University Guide 2018) and Top-10 for Graduate prospects (Times and Sunday Times 2018). Some 91% of American Studies graduates are employed or in further study within six months of graduating (Destination of Leavers from HE survey 2015), and 74% of our students achieved a 1st class or 2.1 honours degree in 2017/18. 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. They gain employment in a range of sectors including education, government and politics, humanitarian organisation, business, media and public relations, law and public services, working for prestigious organisations such as the Labour Party and PriceWaterhouseCoopers. Based on our stunning Singleton Park campus, in parkland overlooking Swansea Bay on the edge of the Gower Peninsula, the course can be tailored to suit your interests within American studies and politics. You will be able to explore the history, literature, politics and culture, of the United States from the period of colonization to the presidency of Donald Trump, as well as a range of politics topics from ancient philosophy and rhetoric to war and warfare in the modern world. You will spend your third year studying at a university in the USA, further improving your student experience and career prospects. Teaching on the course is informed by our world-leading research and you can attend seminars organised through our guest speaker programme. Visiting American professors also offer modules as part of the degree, and with more than 150 American students studying at Swansea each year, you have access to a ready-made network of contacts with links stretching across the USA. Please visit our course page for more information: swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/artsandhumanities/american-studies/ba-ams-politics-tl72/ We guarantee that you will be made a conditional offer for a course at Swansea University. Subject requirements will apply. Please come along to our next Open Day or get in touch for further information.