Course summary

Spanning the Atlantic and ranging over five centuries, this degree will immerse you in the cultures of the US and UK in all their complexity and richness. From the Renaissance stage to the contemporary American novel, you will see how the parallel cultures of both countries have produced equally fascinating literary traditions. Over the course of our English and American Studies BA you will discover the unique identities of English and American literature, and how the history and culture of each country has affected its written heritage. Leicester is ranked as one of the top ten places in the UK for teaching American Studies*, and you will benefit from our expertise across a wide range of areas. English studies will begin in the Renaissance, advancing your knowledge of the period's drama and poetry, before moving through to the literature of the twenty-first century, with stops along the way in the Victorian, Romantic and Modernist periods. Your American Studies modules will introduce you to a history and literary tradition characterised by independence and growth. Our modules offer a thorough introduction to each topic, and complement each other with a stimulating mix of English and American literature and American history and film. The English courses offer a full history of English from Shakespeare to the present day, as well as firm grounding in a variety of critical approaches, drawn from politics, psychoanalysis and philosophy. The American courses offer an exciting combination of American literature, film and history. The breadth of the modules that we offer will take you in unexpected directions and allow you to focus on your own areas of interest – particularly in your third year when you will be able to choose from a vast range of option modules. You will have the opportunity to study vital complementary disciplines, including literature, history, film and visual culture, and critical theory. We understand the importance of experience for both academic and personal growth; as a result, our English and American Studies degree can be taken as either a three-year programme or as a four-year programme, with a year abroad at one of our 35 partner universities in the USA or Canada (subject to academic performance in your first and second years). *The Guardian University Guide 2020