American Studies with Canadian Literature

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In the wake of the American Century, this is an exciting moment to be studying North America. To what extent will the US be forced to renegotiate political, financial and cultural relationships long characterised by dominance? How should the Obama Presidency be understood within the history of race relations and the struggle for civil rights? How will cultural responses to changing political, media, and built environments work within and against established forms and traditions?

The MA American Studies with Canadian Literature combines an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach to the study of the history, literature, politics, film and culture of North America with a specific focus on Canadian Literature.

Small group teaching with a focus on student-led discussion fosters a collegiate MA cohort encouraging intellectual exchange amongst a group of students with shared interests but with a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives.
A suite of core modules taken by all MA students is the centrepiece of the degree.

Offered in the first semester is Researching Contemporary America, which will introduce postgraduate-level American Studies through a study of key controversies in the study of the recent United States. Offered in the second semester is Approaches to American Studies, which will acquaint students with the development of scholarly methods, theories, and approaches in American Studies. Students will also develop the Research Management and Personal Development Skills vital to postgraduate work.

In each term students will select from a range of optional modules offered within the School and by related subject areas within the University. Recent option modules include American Enlightenment and American Gothic; Darwinism and Creationism in America; Fictions of America; Representing the South; Asian American Literature; the Civil War and its Origins; American Labor History; and Recent Queer Writing.

This course provides training in research skills, an introduction to representative American Studies approaches, and an examination of contemporary American and Canadian culture.

Optional modules in semester two and a dissertation module will allow you to develop a particular disciplinary focus (History, Literature or Visual Culture) in American Studies or to demonstrate your enhanced, interdisciplinary development.

In addition, you will complete module credits in the study of Canadian literature

Towards the end of the course, you will be expected to complete a dissertation. You will be able to refine your dissertation proposal during semester one before you are assigned a supervisor who is in a position to support your research and is familiar with your chosen specialism

The MA American Studies with Canadian Literature can be completed during 1 year of full-time study or over 2 to 4 years, part-time.

The course shares a common first semester, consisting of three core modules, with other combinations of the MA course in American Studies. Optional modules are taken in Semester 2.

The principal means of assessment for each module is the long essay (3,500-4,000 words).
The 15,000-20,000 word dissertation is completed over the summer and submitted in the last week of the summer term.

2.1(Upper 2nd class hons degree or international equivalent) Including: Arts/Humanities/Social Science IELTS: 7.0 (no less than 6.0 in any element) TOEFL paper based: 600 with 4.5 in TWE TOEFL computer based: 250 with 4.5 in TWE TOEFL IBT: 100 (no less than 19 in any element) English Language Requirements IELTS band: 7 CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 75 (Grade B) TOEFL paper-based test score : 600 TOEFL iBT® test: 100 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.