2021 Undergraduate Course Guide American Studies

2021 American Studies

2021 Undergraduate Course Guide Welcome to American Studies at the University of Hull American Studies

American Studies Courses at the University of Hull What we offer ...

The Civil War. The Cold War. Hollywood. Disney. Trump Typical Example UCAS Course offer A levels code FY and his Tweets. There’s nowhere in the world quite like § the USA. And if you’re fascinated by every aspect of this BA American Studies 112 BBC T701 T703 T701 vibrantly diverse country, this is the course for you. § Entry requirements are different for foundation year; please contact our Admissions Service for guidance. Your points can be from any qualification on the UCAS tariff, but at least 80 points should be from two or We’ve been pioneering the teaching of American Studies in the UK for more than more A levels, or a combination of appropriate Level 3 qualifications. 50 years, and our academics are approachable experts who offer experience You can choose to transfer onto a 3 year programme if you decide after starting your degree that you no and support. We were ranked third in the UK for this subject with a 96% overall longer want to study abroad for a year. satisfaction score (National Student Survey 2019, HEIs). Here, you can create a flexible degree, choosing from a range of subjects – such as history, film or literature For more information, please visit www.hull.ac.uk/ugamerican – to suit your own interests and career aspirations. Our courses bring together American politics, history, media, literature and culture to shed light on current topics. So America itself becomes a case study. You can see that from our students’ recent dissertations, which covered topics including the National Parks Service; Orange Is the New Black; ‘when a President doesn’t tell the truth’; LGBTQ+ rights; and gun control – to name just a few. Some unis only offer a single term in the USA. Not us. Our Single Honours students go for a year to fully experience American culture. You’ll study at one of our US exchange partner institutions – a choice of more than 30, from California to Kansas; from Arizona to Albany. The year in America is an amazing opportunity to travel and get to know the country, giving you an authentic perspective on this influential nation.

We’re always looking to improve our courses. Which means we do review our modules from time to time, to make sure they’re of a high standard and are relevant to you and to your potential future employers. The information in this guide is correct at the time of going to print, but some of the modules could change before 2021. Please contact our admissions team if you do have any questions or for further information on [email protected].

4 | HULL.AC.UK UNDERGRADUATE COURSE GUIDE 2021 | 5 What extra course options do you offer? Course structure We offer two extra options: foundation year and study abroad. Look out for these icons on our course pages – and here’s what they mean.

How are degrees taught? Foundation year Most of our undergraduate courses are made up of study units called modules. If you don’t quite meet our entry requirements, you can apply to do an You’ll be assessed after each module, and the average of all your module extra year of study before starting your course. This foundation year assessments for the year is your overall result for that year. boosts your subject knowledge and helps you gain new academic skills, as well as preparing you to start your full degree. Can I pick and choose modules? We look for applicants who can demonstrate an experience of a related Yes, to an extent. Some modules are compulsory, so you have to take them. subject and an aptitude for academic work – which we establish by Within that compulsory group are some ‘core’ modules, too. They’re essential to the asking you to submit an essay and/or come to an interview as part of course (to make sure our degrees qualify for relevant accreditation, for example), so your application. they’ll never change and you have to pass them. Fees for our foundation year are exactly the same as undergraduate That said, some of our modules are optional – so you can pick what you study to suit years – and you can apply for student finance as with a full degree. your interests and career goals. How many modules will I take? Study abroad Many of our courses include a year abroad in Year 3. If your course isn’t Usually, you’ll take six modules a year: three from the start of term to Christmas, and one of them, you can still apply to spend a trimester, semester or a single three more between January and the summer. Later in your course, some modules – module overseas. like larger-scale projects or a dissertation – might count as two modules and run for the full year. You can also opt to study abroad over the summer or as an exchange student.

6 | HULL.AC.UK UNDERGRADUATE COURSE GUIDE 2021 | 7 AmericanAccounting Studies and Finance

Careers “If you can’t choose between politics, English and history then this is The extra confidence, independence and maturity that perfect. You get to dabble in all three and learn so spending a year in America gives you are desirable much about such a attributes for all kinds of employers and industries. The different culture. Added to that is the amazing cultural awareness and transferable skills you’ll pick up opportunity of the year on our degrees will help you develop as a person and will abroad, and I know be useful in a variety of roles. everyone on my course wishes they could do it Graduate careers again.” • Broadcasting Connie Frederickson, BA • Journalism American Studies, Year 4 • Teaching • Law • Public Relations • Politics • Marketing Career advice and support Our team give you expert career advice and training. We’ll help you explore your options and progress into a career you’ll love. You’ll learn how to apply for jobs, prep for interviews and impress potential employers. We can also get you into the room with a range of employers at on-campus events. Networking helps you plan your career path and can open doors to internships and job offers.

of students in work or further study six months 90% after graduating*

* UK domicile full-time first degree leavers; Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey for the academic year 2016/17, published by HESA 2018.

8 | HULL.AC.UK UNDERGRADUATE COURSE GUIDE 2021 | 9 History American Studies Today, Hull. Tomorrow, the world.

Anyone can study abroad here as part of a degree. Sarah did, and you can too. Just imagine it, a whole year in the US … we can make it real.

Sarah Birt, BA American Studies graduate (2014–18), made the most of her time in Arizona. As she tells us … “I was browsing through prospectuses and saw that Hull ran an American Studies programme which sounded really interesting, so I decided to attend an open day. It was at the open day that I really thought ‘wow, this is for me’. The American Studies department staff were really friendly; I met some super-enthusiastic students and the whole University just gave off a really inclusive, friendly vibe. This really stood out to me as a sign that Hull was the place to go. “American Studies is a fairly specific subject, so I chose Hull initially because they run one of the best American Studies courses in the UK, and the support I received in sorting out my American year was great. “My year abroad is a definite highlight. Getting to go to Arizona and experience life there was amazing, as was all the travelling I did whilst in America. I even met Bernie Sanders. It was also really awesome coming back for final year after I hadn’t seen all my Hull friends for a year!”

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American Revolutionary Readings Understanding America BA American Studies Study great American literary works An introduction to the political culture from the founding of the nation to the and institutions of the USA. You’ll 20th century. You’ll examine these consider America’s international Typical offer 112 Year 1 modules writings in contexts of religion, folklore, role and the relationship between its women’s rights and slavery. domestic and international policies.  Compulsory Example A levels BBC American History – Birth of a Nation Year 2 modules New York City in Culture Perhaps the most recognisable Discover the triumphs and tragedies  UCAS code T701 of American history before 1900: The Compulsory American city and arguably the USA’s struggle for independence. The rise and Introduction to the American Year cultural capital. This module looks at T703 fall of slavery. The winners and losers of Abroad New York as the setting and subject of westward expansion. This module prepares you for your year works of different media and genre. abroad. It guides you through applying, Musical-Made America Learn about the world’s American History: the American demystifies the college system, The musical is a distinctively American Century addresses any concerns, and broadens leading superpower in detail. genre. Examine how Hollywood and From the 1900s to Trump, you’ll analyse your awareness of the US. You’ll study the history, pivotal events, figures and themes to Broadway have created spaces to literature and culture of the learn how the USA came to dominate Contemporary America in Context represent and reimagine the USA’s USA, embracing the rich the world in political, economic, cultural Get at the history behind each week’s sexual, racial and political identities. news. To debunk the myths of changing and military terms. Reagan’s Polarised America; a Cultural diversity of this captivating social and political events, we dive Study of the USA in the 1980s nation. And you’ll spend a year Transformative Texts of American deeper to understand the narratives Looking at the turbulent events of the experiencing the American Literature underneath the stories. You’ll study a selection of American 80s can help us understand today’s college lifestyle for yourself novels, plays and poems that changed  Optional USA. You’ll study popular cultural texts to shed light on American identities, through our extensive study not only American literature but how we The Fire Next Time: from Slavery to politics and representations. exchange programme. Small think about crucial social issues. Civil Rights wonder we scored 96% for American Film and Society Explore African-American history and American Gothic overall satisfaction with Trace the relationship between culture from the arrival of the first Explore the dark places that haunt the kidnapped Africans to the assassination American Imagination from accusations this programme in the 2019 Hollywood cinema and US society, considering how films of different genres of Martin Luther King Jr. of witchcraft in Salem to the tales of National Student Survey. Edgar Allan Poe and contemporary and periods tackle themes like race, American Alternative Cinema horror fiction. gender, sexuality, class and disability. Go beyond the Hollywood mainstream America in Theory with case studies including Final-year modules Enhance your understanding of US independent, cult, exploitation, trash culture, history, and society. We’ll and underground movies.  Compulsory explore feminist readings of American American Animation History Dissertation (American Studies) TV shows and use critical race theories On this module, you’ll develop a This year-long module involves to examine gangsta rap. deeper understanding of the history extensive research and consultation in of American animation by taking an preparing a large-format essay: an in- in-depth look at the genre. depth analysis of an aspect of American society, history or culture.

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 Optional The Civil War in American History and Culture The Globalisation of American Culture: Explore the American Civil War’s International Perspectives on America seismic impact on US politics, society as a Cultural Superpower and culture. You’ll learn about the Is the world becoming ever more conflict and its outcomes, as well as its ‘Americanised’? Or can countries continuing – and contested – legacy. and peoples resist the USA’s ‘cultural imperialism’? This module explores the Telling the Truth: American impact of Americanisation. Documentary Culture from the Muckrakers to Fake News American History by Hollywood Explore how photographers and Film-makers have long used the history filmmakers have documented American of the USA as a source of stories and society from the early 20th century to characters. This module compares the present day, on a module with a Hollywood’s version with what historical focus on visual culture. sources say ‘really’ happened. American Rebels: Reading 20th Doin’ Time: American Prison Culture of Century US Counterculture the 20th and 21st Centuries Explore the fiction, film, and music of Get an overview of the key debates the American counterculture, taking and concepts in American prison a close look at the Beat Generation, studies as we explore one of the world’s the hippies and all those who wanted largest prison systems and the cultural to ‘turn on, tune in, and drop out’ of responses it’s spawned. mainstream US culture. Disney Studies An in-depth exploration of the history and impact of Disney’s global entertainment empire. Crossing the Line: Frontiers in the Literature of America Examine how cultural exchange, interaction and migration have shaped the US, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean by studying texts that cross lines between cultures.

14 | HULL.AC.UK UNDERGRADUATE COURSE GUIDE 2021 | 15 We’re in the top 50 universities Be part of something for research power** Which basically means we’re helping to change the world through the work our people are extraordinary doing. And you could be part of it. From tackling marine pollution to breaking the chain of modern-day slavery, our research is not only Here at Hull, we know extraordinary is in you. And we’re enriching the lives of people across the world, it enriches your university experience. So come here to help you find it. This is why we’ve partnered with and get involved. Team GB. Our united belief is that anyone, with the right opportunities ahead and a dedicated team behind, can You’ll meet new achieve extraordinary things. people who’ll become old friends. More than 15,000 students from around 100 countries live, work and play on our attractive single-site campus. The partnership isn’t the only thing we’ve got going for us either. We Whether you’re into bands also offer you guaranteed or board games, food or accommodation,^ with film, history or horror, sci-fi more than 2,300 rooms or skateboarding, this is a on campus. Our students place to do more of what go on to do amazing you love – there’s something things too, with 95.9% of for everyone here in Hull. our graduates in work It’s your home away from or further study with six home. And your chance to months.† discover who you really are.

Choose extraordinary. Choose Hull.

^ We guarantee you a room in University-owned or partnered accommodation if you apply by 1 October. † Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education for the academic year 2016/17, published by HESA June 2018. ** Times Higher Education, based on the most recent Research Excellence Framework 2014.

16 | HULL.AC.UK UNDERGRADUATE COURSE GUIDE 2021 | 17

This. Is. Hull.

A place where we stand up to kings, do deals with the world and take a wrecking ball to the slave trade. A place where culture stands out and the phone boxes are a different colour. A place where we’re free thinking, independent and proud of it.

Glasgow

Learn more about Hull M8 Edinburgh THE DEEP at hull.ac.uk/abouthull A1

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A15 Manchester She ield M1 Lincoln

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HUMBER STREET THE FRUIT MARKET

CZECH REPUBLIC 18 | HULL.AC.UK UNDERGRADUATE COURSE GUIDE 2021 | 19 12 47 52 6 38 15 46 40 37 31 8 20 32 11 48 49 25 59 36 2 7 26 57 23 42 4 13 54 51 30 5 24 55 19 34 1 33 9 29 27 58 44 14 3 21 56 35 10 53 16 39 22 18 45 17 43 28 41 47. Sports Pavilion 50 48.Student Central 35. Middleton Hall (Students’ Union) 36. Multi Storey Carpark 49. Student Wellbeing, 37. Newlands House Learning & Welfare Support 17. Dennison Centre 26. Hardy 38. Newland Science Park 50. Swale House 18. Derwent 27. Holme 39. Nidd 51. Taylor Court 19. Don 28. Hull University Business 40. Prayer Room 52. The Courtyard

10. Calder 20. Energy & Environment School Reception 41. Raines House 53. Venn (Reception) 11. Canham Turner Institute 29. Larkin 42. Robert Blackburn 54. Washburn 5. Allam Medical Building 12. Central Print Services 21. Enterprise Centre 30. Leven 43. Rye House 55. Westﬁeld Court 1. Accommodation Hub 6. Allam Sport Centre 13. Chemistry 22. Esk 31. Loten 44. Ryton Lecture Theatre 56. Wharfe 2. Acoustics Research Centre 7. Applied Science 3 14. Cohen 23. Fenner 32. Loten Workshops 45. Skell 57. Wilberforce 3. Aire 8. Asylum Nightclub 15. Day Nursery 24. Ferens 33 Loxley 46. Sport, Health & 58. Wiske 4. Allam Building 9. Brynmor Jones Library 16. Dearne 25. Gulbenkian Centre 34. Media Hub Exercise Science Lab 59. Wolfson 120 | HULL.AC.UK | HULL.AC.UK UNDERGRADUATEUNDERGRADUATE COURSE COURSE GUIDE GUIDE 2020 2020 | |21 2 WESTFIELD COURT WESTFIELD COURT You’ll feel right at home in Hull

We have something for everyone here. Whatever you choose, you’ll find a place to live that works best for you. And if you apply by 1 October, we guarantee you a University room.*

From 41, 43 and 51-week Take a virtual contracts, so you don’t pay tour of our rooms for more than you need Go to hull.ac.uk/accommodation to find out more and take a 360° 2,300+ on-campus rooms tour of where you’ll be living.

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For further information, please contact the Accommodation Hub 01482 466042

* If you’re a new, full-time, unaccompanied student, and you apply for accommodation by 1 October, we guarantee you a room in accommodation that’s owned or in partnership with the University. THE COURTYARD TAYLOR COURT ** Westfield Court and Taylor Court only.

22 | HULL.AC.UK UNDERGRADUATE COURSE GUIDE 2021 | 23 How much can I borrow? What you can borrow for your maintenance loan depends on your family’s income Your guide to and where you’ll be living while you’re at uni.

Is your family’s annual fees and funding household income £25,000 or less? Yes No, it’s more So … time to talk about money. How much does university cost? than that How are you going to pay for it? 2021/22 Maintenance Loan figures How much does it cost to study an undergraduate degree? When you come to uni, Household Living Living at where will you be living? income away from home Are you a UK student? home £25,000 £9,488 £7,987 Yes No Away from £30,000 £8,809 £7,315 At home home £35,000 £8,130 £6,642 (non-science courses) £9,250 per year* £14,800 £40,000 £7,450 £5,969 on a full-time degree or £17,550 (science courses) per year for EU and international students You’ll be able You’ll be able £45,000 £6,771 £5,296 to borrow to borrow £50,000 £6,092 £4,623 £7,987 £9,488 You’ll pay lower fees while you’re on a year abroad or an industrial placement year. £55,000 £5,412 £3,950 £60,000 £4,733 £3,516 What loans are available? £62,286 or above £4,422 £3,516 There are two types of loan available to students from England: And how much will I be paying back after I graduate? Maintenance loan Tuition fee loan – Currently Just to recap, you don’t have to pay back anything until your salary goes above Helps with the cost of living £9,250* £27,295 a year. When that happens, the amount you’re earning determines what Covers the full cost of your course Partially means tested your loan repayment will be. fees • Paid straight into your bank account at the start of each term • Paid straight to the University Is your annual salary above £27,295 a year? • You won’t have to pay any of it • You don’t start paying any of it back until you’re earning more back until you’re earning more Yes No, it’s less than that than £27,295 a year than £27,295 a year • After 30 years, any remaining • After 30 years, any remaining Annual income Monthly payment debt is written off – regardless You don’t have to debt is written off – regardless of make any repayments what you still owe of what you still owe £27,295 £0 £30,000 £20 £35,000 £58 £40,000 £95 £45,000 £133 £50,000 £170 * Subject to approval. This fee is subject to an increase in line with inflation. Maximum tuition fees are set by the government.

24 | HULL.AC.UK UNDERGRADUATE COURSE GUIDE 2021 | 25

Useful contacts Tariff calculator

BTEC level 3 Admissions The (not so) small print ... A level UCAS Tariff (QCF) / National (QCF) / National (QCF) / National 01482 466100 Please note … Extended Extended Extended Diploma Diploma Diploma [email protected] The information in this guide is provided hull.ac.uk/admissions by the University of Hull, and is for 144 DDD general information purposes only. 128 DDM We do everything possible to keep the 112 DMM D*D* Accommodation information up to date and correct, 01482 466042 but we reserve the right to introduce 104 D*D [email protected] changes to the information given in our 96 MMM DD hull.ac.uk/accomm publications. For more detail and the 84 latest on our programmes, please go to 80 MMP DM hull.ac.uk. Student Finance 78 01482 466538 Want to know more? 72 [email protected] Our full 2020 Undergraduate 64 MPP MM hull.ac.uk/money prospectus is available to order or 60 download from hull.ac.uk/prospectus. Or visit hull.ac.uk to find out the latest A* 56 D* UCAS information. A 48 PPP MP D 0371 468 0468 B 40 ucas.com We use role models, not models 36 You’ll find no models in this publication. *Our institution code is H72. C 32 PP M For Medicine, apply to H75. The people you see on these pages are our students, and we are proud of them. 28 D 24 International Office Tell us what you think 20 01482 462190 Please write to E 16 P [email protected] Marketing and Communications, hull.ac.uk/international University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Of course, we also consider other qualifications – such as AS levels, Cambridge Hull, HU6 7RX, UK. Technicals and EPQs – and a range of international qualifications. If you’ve got any questions about what qualifications we accept or our entry requirements in general, just ask. We’re on 01482 466100 or at [email protected]. You can also work out your own UCAS points total at www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator. There’s also a full tariff points guide for all available qualifications on the UCAS site.

26 | HULL.AC.UK UNDERGRADUATE COURSE GUIDE 2021 | 27 How to apply Your notes to Hull

When you apply for Hull, you’ll have a team ready to answer your questions every step of the way. From starting your application to the day you win a place to come here.

UCAS Our UCAS institution codes For most of our full-time H72: All Hull courses except undergraduate courses, you need Medicine to register and apply through the Universities and Colleges H75: Medicine (Hull York Admissions Service (UCAS). Medical School) You can find the entry requirements on your course Dates for your diary page at hull.ac.uk. 1 September: UCAS But as a general guide, applications open we’re happy to consider applications from candidates 15 October: Medicine UCAS with predicted grades totalling applications deadline 112 UCAS points or above. 15 January: UCAS applications To find out more, go to deadline for all other courses to hull.ac.uk/admissions guarantee equal consideration

To register and apply, go to Late February: UCAS Extra ucas.com/students opens

International student? 30 June: Main UCAS See hull.ac.uk/international for application scheme closes more information on how to apply. 4 July: UCAS Extra closes

28 | HULL.AC.UK UNDERGRADUATE COURSE GUIDE 2021 | 29 Your notes

30 | HULL.AC.UK UNDERGRADUATE COURSE GUIDE 2021 | 31 www.hull.ac.uk/ugamerican

University of Hull Cottingham Road Hull, HU6 7RX, United Kingdom

hull.ac.uk 01482 346311 [email protected]