The American Studies in Advanced English Minor program is open to all students. It 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 in America or with an American company.
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.
You can also follow this minor as a part-time student. Ask the minor contact person for the possibilities.
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 29 February for the 2024-2025 minor offer.
Content
With over 325 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.
The program consists of six interconnected courses, focusing on the political and geographical profile of the country, 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.
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.
Courses
The program consists of six courses, three per period, and comes to a total of 30 ECTS.
| Title | Subject |
| Habits of the Heart | Core Values in American Life and Government |
| Spirit | Cultural Identity in American Arts and Literature |
| Historical Backgrounds | American History to 1900 |
| Postcards from America | American Political Geography: Sense of Place and Immigrant Groups |
| Change in America | Changes in the History of the United States after 1900 |
| Culture Survey | Survey of Contemporary Culture |
Assessment
Classes will consist of lectures, activities, presentations, group work, journals, blogs, and written and oral tests. You will be assessed throughout and at the end of each course.
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 teaching days will be on Mondays and Thursdays.
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,-