The American Studies in Advanced English Minor program is open to all students in the Netherlands and beyond. You can also follow this minor as a part-time student. Ask the minor contact person for the possibilities.
Admission
There are no formal entry requirements, but you are expected to have attained English CEFR level B2. During the program, you are required to read a lot, give presentations, and write essays in English. If you are unsure about your level, you can do a (free) written and spoken assessment. Contact the program coordinator for more information.
The Examination Board determines which minors do not have a higher professional education level and/or have an unacceptable overlap with the compulsory curriculum of your own study programme. Check at the page Not allowed minor courses under your institute which minors are not allowed. This page will be updated from 21 February for the 2025-20256 minor offer.
Content
The minor gives you a thorough analysis and understanding of how the US came to be and how its culture developed over time, providing invaluable insights for those looking to work or be an intern in America or with an American company.
With over 331 million inhabitants, the United States has a diverse culture that is sometimes difficult to understand. The American Studies in Advanced English Minor program was designed to broaden your cultural and historical understanding of the US.
Learning objectives
This program was designed to broaden your cultural and historical understanding of the United States of America. It will also improve your understanding and fluency of the English language, as it is taught entirely in English. The skill of understanding and interpretating foreign cultures can be applied to other countries as well. See the learning objectives for each course below.
Courses
The program consists of six courses of 5 ECTS, three per period, and comes to a total of 30 ECTS. The six interconnected courses focus on the political and geographical profile of the country, exploring how history has shaped its culture and what binds and separates those millions of people in one of the most influential countries in the world.
| Title | Subject and Learning Objects |
| Habits of the Heart | Core Values in American Life and Government
To study the persistent values that seem permanent in the culture or enshrined in the government and law. To understand the role of religion in political and cultural life over time. |
| Spirit | Cultural Identity in American Arts and Literature
To appreciate and analyze American literature and art forms in their historical and cultural context. |
| Historical Backgrounds | American History to 1900
To treat the essential place of the Wild West and the Civil War in American history and the formation of American identity. To interpret events and objects from the nineteenth century. |
| Postcards from America | American Political Geography: Sense of Place and Immigrant Groups
To analyze what the roles of the sense of place are in the US. To practice applying cultural and media analysis to important contemporary subjects. To research a topic chosen by the student and approved of by the teacher. |
| Change in America | Changes in the History of the United States after 1900
To actively engage in discussions on a variety of topics, providing commentary on sources, and emulating processes through role play. To acquire knowledge of a number of periods of ground-breaking change in American history and culture – both by engaging with selected sources and by doing independent research. |
| Culture Survey | Survey of Contemporary Culture
To research the influence and roles of ethnic groups, especially immigrants, in the culture. To study a few representative stories by important authors in the US. |
Assessment
Classes will consist of lectures, activities, presentations, and group work. You will need to complete or participate in presentations, simulations, and immersive activities, so you can reflect on these experiences, often receiving continual feedback to use later. The final assessment includes 3 timed tests, a research report set up in steps, 5 portfolios set up as a journal or logbook, a Masterclass, and a virtual tour of part of the country.
Literature
The following literature will be discussed during the minor. You will receive a definite reading list before the start of the minor.
- Reynolds, David. America, Empire of Liberty: A New History.
- Ward, Geoffrey C, Ken Burns and Ric Burns. Civil War.
- Ragone, Nick. The Everything American Government Book: From the Constitution to Present-Day Elections, All You Need to Understand Our Democratic System.
- Takaki, Ronald T. A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America.
- Woodward, Colin. American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America.
- Vonnegut, Kurt. Slaughterhouse-Five. Random House edition.
Schedule
The timetable will be published in early August, but periods A and B take place from late August/early September to the end of January. The teaching days will be on Mondays and Thursdays between 8:00 am – 6:00 for about 6 hours each day.
With the exception of the first teaching period of the academic year (starting September), the lesson and test schedules are always posted on Mijn Rooster four weeks before the start of each teaching period. The schedule for the first teaching period of the academic year can be found on the site three weeks before the start. The most up-to-date schedule is always visible on Mijn Rooster.
At HU, full-time education may be scheduled between 08:30 and 19:00.
Additional costs
€0,- Optional social activities are often planned but never mandatory.