Entry requirements

American Studies A1 or 30 credits within the humanities or the social sciences.

Learning outcomes

Upon completing the course, students will have a deeper knowledge of some central features of American society, history, culture and politics as well as current research in American studies. Students will also have developed their ability to communicate in English on the issues and problems treated in the course, both orally and in writing.

The goals for each course component are given below.

Component 1. Global American History (7.5 credits)

Upon completing the component students will

• be able to understand and analyze central dimensions of the global and transnational processes that have shaped U.S. history;
• be able to understand how transnational academic theories and perspectives affect the interpretation of U.S. history;
• be able to critically reflect on different theories and perspectives in the course literature.

Component 2. Current Issues in American Politics (7.5 credits)

Upon completing the component students will

• be able to understand and analyze central dimensions of a number of current issues in American politics;
• be able to show insight into academic research on contemporary American politics;
• be able to critically reflect on different theories and perspectives in the course literature.

Component 3. Memory and Heritage in American Culture (7.5 credits)

Upon completing the component students will

• be able to understand central issues concerning memory and cultural heritage in the United States in historical and contemporary perspectives;
• be able to show an ability to analyze American memory and heritage practices, based on academic research;
• be able to critically reflect on different theories and perspectives in the course literature.

Component 4. Current Research in American Studies (7.5 credits)

Upon completing the component students will

• be able to understand and analyze a number of central themes within current research in North American Studies;
• be able to show how academic research can be used to understand U.S. society, culture, and history;
• be able to show insight into how different research areas within American Studies relate to each other;
• be able to critically reflect on different theories and perspectives that are presented in the course literature.

Content

The course consists of four components, each worth 7.5 credits as shown below.

Component 1: Global American History

The component examines U.S. history from global and transnational perspectives. It focuses on themes such as imperialism and territorial expansion, the cultural, economic, political, and military influence of the United States in the world, and how the outside world has related to the United States.

Component 2: Current Issues in American Politics  

The component examines current issues in contemporary American politics. It focuses on a number of themes such as political polarization, demographics, class, religion, voter turnout, election campaigns, and foreign politics. The themes can vary from semester to semester.

Component 3: Memory and Heritage in American Culture

The component examines the significance of cultural heritage and cultural memory in the United States in historical and contemporary perspectives. It centers on questions about identity, nationalism, politics, and commercialism, how history has been represented in for example monuments, museums, commemorations, political debates, and popular culture, as well as the conflicts that regularly occur in the United States around questions of cultural memory and heritage.

Component 4: Current Research in American Studies

The component gives an overview of and insight into current research in the international and interdisciplinary research field American Studies. It focuses on selected themes that can vary from semester to semester. Insights from the other course components and different theories, methods, and empirical materials are used to understand U.S. history, society, and culture.

Instruction

Teaching is done through lectures and seminars. Virtual meetings may occur. Active participation in course seminars is obligatory. In cases of absence students will be given the opportunity to complete an extra assignment within the framework of the course period. English is the language of instruction.

Assessment

Examination is done through spoken as well as written assignments and by continuous assessment. Grades used are either Fail, Pass, or Pass with Distinction. To receive a grade of Pass with Distinction for the whole course, students must have achieved the grade of Pass with Distinction on examinations worth a total of at least 22.5 credits.

Students who do not achieve a passing grade on the regular examination will have another opportunity to take the examination within a reasonable period of time after the regular examination.

Students who fail a certain examination twice have the right upon request, following consultation with the head of department, to have another examiner appointed.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.

Other directives

Results that are more than five years old are normally not recognised if the syllabus for the course component has been changed.

If the syllabus or course reading for a component has been changed, students have a right to be examined under the original syllabus and course reading on three occasions during the following three terms. Normally this right then expires. Otherwise there are no limitations on the number of examination opportunities.

The course may not be included in a degree if equivalent parts have been read within another course included in the degree.

Transitional provisions

For transitional regulations in the case of changes in the syllabus, please contact the student adviser.