“What on Earth is American Studies?” Ah, yes. That old chestnut. This is a question that I myself am very familiar with, and a question that really, you should expect to be echoed throughout your years at The University of Manchester studying BA American Studies – from your mates, little old biddies your Mum knows, and even yourself at times as you find yourself learning about American Civil War muskets one week and Beyonce’s Lemonade album the next. But it’s a question that I really don’t mind answering, because that’s the beauty of this course, the unknown – after all, who doesn’t want to be an enigma? Like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get on this course. The breadth and variety across modules (coupled with opportunities to minor in pretty much whatever you fancy) and even the chance to study in a shedload of states makes American Studies one of the most interesting courses that you can do at uni. That’s proper unbiased, honest.

When I was considering applying to university, I was admittedly overwhelmed. I didn’t know what to do, simply because I was interested in studying too many different subject areas. History and English Literature were my favourites, but I also studied Politics at A Level and wanted to incorporate a little bit of that into whatever I went onto study at university, as well as preferably all of my cultural interests (I’m quite the fervent film buff, it must be said). I just didn’t think there was a course that would satisfy all of these interests. And then a friend, who had just graduated with a First in the course, suggested it to me; why choose one topic area, when you can study a little bit of everything? You don’t need to be a Bruce Springsteen adoring, stars and stripes adoring Americanophile to study American Studies. It ticked all my boxes and I didn’t even think I particularly cared for America. Put it this way: 3 years in, and my next stop after graduation is Arizona, baby!

My absolute favourite modules have been scattered across the years, meaning that I had so much to look forward to with each coming semester. Film Studies offered me a chance to dig into esteemed directors from Hitchcock to Nolan (who knew homework could be sinking into the sofa with a fab film?). Beat Writing, which I study now, teaches me about my favourite writers like Ginsberg and Kerouac, as well as equipping me with certain vocabularies and ideas I want to apply to my own future work as a budding writer. I even found myself surprised by courses. From Jamestown To James Brown ended up being the most varied course I’ve ever delved into. This year I’m most enjoyed Conspiracy Theories with Peter Knight; his teaching style as well as the diversity in the seminar group is so captivating that I often forget I’m even in a seminar and that we’re not just having an intelligent discussion among old friends.

The American Studies team at the University of Manchester are part of the longest-running course of American Studies in the country, and all a very experienced and supportive faculty. If you’re wanting to study American Studies, look no further. UoM is the best place to do it.

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