Course summary

On this fascinating four-year BA (Hons) degree program, you will have the chance to explore the culture, history and politics of the United States of America, one of the most influential countries in the world. Tailor this varied and flexible course to suit your interests, whether in American film, music, race, gender, migration and urbanization, social, economic, and military history, terrorism, or civil rights and political protest. This degree program covers the period from colonization through to the recent Trump presidency. The first year of the course will give you an exciting introduction to higher education and will enable you to explore a range of humanities and social sciences topics including what it means to be human, and history, memory and the creation of identity. This Foundation Year is ideal if you need a little more support after further education or if you are returning to education after a gap in your studies. You will progress onto the three-year degree program in American Studies. Teaching on this course is informed by our world-leading research and you can attend seminars organised through our guest speaker program. Visiting American professors also offer modules as part of the degree, and with more than 150 American students studying at Swansea each year, you will have access to a ready-made network of contacts with links stretching across the USA. You will develop a wide range of transferable skills, which are highly valued by employers, including oral, writing and presentation skills, along with expertise across research and problem-solving. American Studies at Swansea University is ranked top 5 in the UK for Graduate Prospects (Times University Guide 2023) and our graduates enter careers in a wide range of sectors ranging from education, marketing and events management to government and research. Study at Swansea and you’ll be based on our Singleton Campus in parkland overlooking Swansea Bay on the edge of the Gower Peninsular, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Outside of your lectures, you’ll be able to join our student societies including the American Studies Society. American Studies at Swansea University is ranked 2nd in the UK for Student Satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2023). Please visit our course page for more information. https://www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/culture-communication/american-studies/ba-american-studies-foundation-year/