Course overview
Our aim is to provide a thorough grounding and opportunities for specialisation in history and politics. Alongside the development of disciplinary expertise, the degree programme promotes cross-disciplinary insight. You will learn how polities and societies evolve, how different disciplinary perspectives relate to each other, and how these perspectives can combine to give a more nuanced understanding of the Americas and their global relevance.
Our curriculum is shaped by the cutting-edge and impactful research undertaken by our academic staff, giving you an insight into the latest developments in the Americas. From transforming torture prevention legislation in Chile to changing the policy design of cash transfer programmes in the developing world, our research has important real-world impact on policy and society. We were ranked 1st for Area Studies and for Impact in the most recent Research Excellence Framework assessment.
Across the duration of the programme you will study compulsory modules that provide an introduction to some of the major forces and processes that have shaped and reshaped the Americas over time, key concepts and theoretical debates in the politics of the Americas, and research methods. The final year includes a capstone project focused on contemporary issues from across the hemisphere, including inequality, migration, security and environment, and how to communicate academic knowledge effectively to a non-academic audience through a range of mediums.
In second and third year you will also be able to select from a wide variety of optional modules, covering a broad range of regions, time periods and topics. Current options within the department include American Political Thought; Latin American Revolutions; and Histories of Sexuality in the US and Beyond. You will also be able to select from options from other academic departments, including languages, tailoring your degree to match your individual academic interests and career aspirations.
What this course will give you
The Institute of the Americas is a leading specialist institution for the study of Canada, the US, Latin America, and the Caribbean. We offer the UK’s largest portfolio of programmes focused on the Americas.
Our programme provides a rigorous introduction to history and politics, as well as the possibility to specialise in one of these subjects after year one. You will gain new knowledge and expertise in your subject area as you take additional modules from within and outside of the department.
You will enjoy an interdisciplinary environment designed for both home and international students who are interested in professional and academic careers in diplomacy, government, business, international charities, NGOs, and the education sector.
