Hi! My name is Roxie and I’m a second year American Studies student at Manchester. When I initially started the uni application process, I began by looking into courses such as History and English Literature but didn’t immediately find anything that I fully engaged with. After doing some research, I came across this course and discovered that it essentially incorporated every aspect of history, film and literature that had interested me at A Level. From modules like ‘Jamestown to James Brown: African-American History and Culture’ to ‘American Film Studies’, there’s something for everyone in this course. Therefore, if you’re a humanities student who’s trying to find their niche, American Studies is definitively one to check out.

In terms of the actual course structure, semester one of first year’s modules are compulsory and are designed to help you settle into the course and learn the essential skills needed in American Studies. The second semester progresses chronologically in the American history and literature modules – giving you an in-depth foundation of America’s history and culture. From this, my favourite module from first year was ‘Twentieth Century American Literature’ which covered literature from Fitzgerald’s ‘The Great Gatsby’ to Adrienne Rich’s poetry. Additionally, you have the option of a free course unit which extends to multiple other courses in different subjects. In general, due to its interdisciplinary nature, the course structure is flexible enough for you to choose your preferred area of study when choosing your modules. And having only completed a year at Manchester, I’m sure I have yet to discover so many incredible modules that this course has to offer.

One of my favourite aspects of this course is the American Studies faculty themselves. During my first term of uni, the faculty put on multiple events that created a space and time for the students to socialise and network with both each other and the staff. These included an American Studies pub quiz with both the staff and students and hosting the amazing Roe v Wade roundtable discussion – both of which made me feel so welcome and proud to be part of this course. There are so many other opportunities that this course has to offer – with the prospect of the integrated study abroad option perhaps being the most enticing. America has always been a place that has interested me through the mass range of popular culture I’ve been exposed to through film and TV. Having the opportunity to be able to study out there for a year or semester therefore heavily appealed to me, and I’m looking forward to applying this semester.

Since moving to Manchester, I have made so many incredible friends and got involved with the music sector of the student paper which has allowed me to interview some of my favourite artists and review gigs across the city. From the city’s rich culture and history to the amazing night life, Manchester has so much to offer for all students, and I couldn’t recommend it enough.

Written by Roxie Rees, a 2nd year BA American Studies student 

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