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American Studies

Minor

The interdisciplinary minor American Studies (30 EC) offers a survey of U.S. history from the establishment of the first colonies on the North American continent from the establishment of the first colonies on the North American continent in the 15th century to 1865. We will read a number of texts in American literature, including Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography, Frederick Douglass’s slave narrative, Emily Dickinson’s war poetry, Walden by Henry David Thoreau and key documents such as the Declaration of Independence. The courses in the second semester aim to deepen and broaden the knowledge and skills you’ve acquired in the first semester: you can choose to specialize in American history (track 1) or American literature and culture (track 2). Upon completion of this minor, you will have acquired basic knowledge of and research skills in U.S. history, culture and literature. Students who have successfully completed the minor in American Studies (30 EC) are admissible to the MA programme in North American Studies in Leiden, provided that they meet all other conditions for admission.

Maximum number of students: 30

Prospectus number: 5000MAMN

Language: English

Registration: via EduXchange

LEI students 15 May (13:00hrs) to 4 July 2024

TUD and EUR students 15 May (13:00hrs) to 31 May 2024

Track I: American History

Vak EC Semester 1 Semester 2

First semester
Literature 3A: American Literature, Beginnings to 1865 5
The United States and the World: An Introduction to American Studies 10

Second semester
History: North America 5

Choose one of the electives
Afrikanen in Amerika: Slavernij en emancipatie in de Verenigde Staten 10
Democracy in Action: Radical Cultures and Protest Movements in Modern America 10

Track II: American Literature and Culture

Vak EC Semester 1 Semester 2

First semester
Literature 3A: American Literature, Beginnings to 1865 5
The United States and the World: An Introduction to American Studies 10

Second semester
Literature 4A: American Literature, 1865-1917: The Age of Realism 5
Slavery and Memory in the Black Atlantic 10

Electives

Since in some departments there is room for only a 15 EC in elective courses, it is also possible to take this minor for 15 EC, half of the number of ECs required for a complete minor. Note, however, that this is not the same as completing a minor and therefore it is not called a minor. Students who wish to take this option in semester 1 take the following courses:

  • The United States and the World: An Introduction to American Studies (10 EC)

  • Literature 3A: American Literature, Beginnings to 1865 (5 EC)

In semester 2, you can take any 5 EC course and any 10 EC course listed under track 1 or 2 of the minor in American Studies.
Anyone is free, however, to take more than the required minimum of courses and thus earn more ECs than the 180 EC required for receiving a bachelor’s degree. Therefore, you can take a 30 EC minor if you are willing to earn 15 EC more than you need to have to complete the requirements for your bachelor’s degree. For more information about electives, go to Keuzeruimte.

More info

Information

From July, register separately for the courses via MyStudymap (only applies to LEI students).

Remarks

Since in some departments there is only room for a 15 EC in elective courses, it is also possible to take this minor for 15 EC, half of the number of ECs required for a complete minor. Note, however, that this is not the same as completing a minor and therefore it is not called a minor. Students who wish to take this option take the following courses in semester 1:

  • The United States and the World: An Introduction to American Studies (10 EC)

  • Literature 3A: American Literature, Beginnings to 1865 (5 EC)

Anyone is free, however, to take more than the required minimum of courses and thus earn more ECs than the 180 EC required for receiving a bachelor’s degree. Therefore, you can take a 30 EC minor if you are willing to earn 15 EC more than you need to have to complete the requirements for your bachelor’s degree. For more information about electives, go to Keuzeruimte.