Please note: This page is aimed at prospective students. Are you already a student at Radboud University? You can find your current study programme in the Course catalogue.

Study programme of American Studies

The three-year Bachelor’s program in American Studies is divided into two semesters and four periods per year. At the end of each period, you will have a series of exams to test what you have learned. You can find the dates of the teaching periods, holidays and national celebrations on the Academic calendar on the Radboud University website.

Programme

When you apply for the Bachelor's degree programme in English Language and Culture, you will choose one of two tracks: American Studies or English Language and Culture. When you choose American Studies, you will study American society and culture and you will learn American English. More information on the English Language and Culture specialization can be found on the English Language and Culture web page.

During the American Studies Bachelor's program, you will learn about US culture, politics, literature, history, media and the structure of the English language. And of course you will perfect your spoken and written English, until you reach a professional level of proficiency. With this goal in mind, all classes are taught entirely in English from the first day on and the program offers various language acquisition courses to provide you with a solid basis for your further academic and professional development. 

Courses

A complete year at Radboud University consists of 60 course credits (European credits), divided over several courses.

Curriculum

  • Curriculum year 1

    The first year of the program will introduce you to the main aspects of the academic study of the English language and American Studies (literature, history, culture, politics and linguistics) and provide you with American-English language proficiency training. In addition, you will learn to critically read American literary texts, be familiarized with the methodologies needed to analyze literary texts in an academic context and critically approach the history of the United States.

    View curriculum year 1

  • Curriculum year 2

    In the second year of American Studies, the topics and approaches to studying North American society expand to include media, popular culture, art history and foreign policy. At the same time, you move into more in-depth analysis of key themes through thematic seminars on topics such as American identity and diversity, social movements, and contemporary engagements with the 19th century. Throughout the programme, sustained attention is given to linguistics and spoken and written English fluency. 

    View curriculum year 2

  • Curriculum year 3

    In the third year, you will follow four compulsory courses and you will write your Bachelor's thesis. In addition, there is a free space in which you can choose courses to further develop yourself and broaden your studies by taking courses from other programmes. Or you can choose to take the educational minor, which will qualify you to teach lower secondary education (havo and vwo) as well as vmbo-t education. An internship or stay abroad are also among the possibilities.

    View curriculum year 3

This programme has a binding study advice

Minimum ECTS
45
This study programme consists of 60 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) per year. At the end of the first year you will need to have accumulated a minimum of 45 ECTS in order to receive a positive BSA to continue your studies in the second year. Failing to meet this minimum requirement and receiving a negative BSA means that you are no longer allowed to continue with your studies. Of course, we will consider exceptional circumstances such as illness or other personal factors. Your study advisor or mentor will regularly discuss your study results with you so that you are not faced with any surprises.

Study abroad

During your Bachelor's programme, you will have the opportunity to go abroad for your studies, internship and/or thesis. You will learn to view things from the perspective of a different culture and you will meet new people; it is an experience that will enrich your life. What’s more, it will enhance your CV. Please see the International Office web page for information about meetings, scholarships, internships and other practical information.

Additional challenge

Are you up for an extra challenge during your studies? Do you find it interesting to think about current, social themes from different academic perspectives? Discover what the Radboud Honours Academy has to offer to achieve your maximum potential during your time as a student.