To think American studies is a stupid subject?

[firsttimeucaser]

DD's school (in year 12) have been encouraging students to decide what university course they want to apply for next year.

DD came home yesterday and said that she has decided she's going to apply for 'American studies'.

AIBU to think that this is a stupid subject? From what I have read about it, it seems like a course about American history/literature/politics, but wouldn't she just be better doing a general History//Politics degree and choosing modules to do with the USA if that's what she wants?

I suppose, as an employer myself, I think I would find it very odd if a British person with no American connections had a degree in 'American studies'. I can't see how it's very useful.

What I mean to say is - Area studies has served me well.

"Today 16:23 bluepears

i find american a fascinating place the civil war and politics but ill give a one line basic on us politics historically every issue the democrats have been on the wrong side"

Sorry blue, I've read your post a few times and I still can't figure out what you're trying to say

I did a degree in American Studies with a major in history. This was a while ago now so no where near the current level of fees (although I did pay fees). I studied a wide range of interesting subjects in history, literature, art and film and politics. Sadly I didn't get to watch a single episode of days of their lives or Buffy the vampire slayer! I did spend a year at a top tier US private college for my home fees (rather than the c. $30k). I now work in a leadership role at a large public sector employer in an unrelated policy area but one I enjoy very much. I also did a masters in a related subject. We don't all know exactly what we want to do at 17. Law etc would have been wasted on me.

It is kind of like Liberal Arts which is popular in US , incorporating a range of cultural and humanities subjects. I think many choosing it expecting to spend a year studying in US , perhaps not realising they can do so with other degrees.

I never went to uni and I don't regret it for a second especially as not a single one of my friends who did go have a job anywhere near the subject they studied. So honestly I don't think it matters what she studies as long as she is happy with it.

I also did a BA in the History of Modern Art at the same uni and that was equally fascinating too and involved a lot of philosophy, art history (obviously) and analysis/critique of different aspects of art, culture, film studies and architecture. These degrees are nowhere near as easy as some people make out. They involve a hell of a lot of research and writing, and as PP have said, the transferrable skills are great. I've used mine to develop a good career in publishing, PR and journalism, and I'm sure if I wanted to move into actual art gallery curation or become an art historian (or even work on the Antiques Roadshow with a post grad degree in gallery studies or something!), I could.

Great sounding degree, the American studies one.

i find american a fascinating place the civil war and politics but ill give a one line basic on us politics historically every issue the democrats have been on the wrong side

Thank you for that incredibly valuable insight.

The Democrats and Republicans basically swapped sides between the 1860s and 1930s. At that point did everything that was on the 'wrong side' suddenly become the 'right side'?

You did better than me YouCantGetHereFromThere, I couldn't make head nor tail of it 😂

In DDs position, unsure of which subject to study, i would get a job or an apprenticeship possibly and save degrees for when she knows what she wants to study. Is she being swept along by your and/or schools expectations? I was unsure but was encouraged to go to University. Complete waste of time at 18yo but i wish i could go now i have an idea what i'd like to study. That was when fees were £1k pa. There's no way i'd allow DD to rack up humungous debt (i know the tag line is You Don't Have To Pay It Back Till You Earn XYZ but how the hell will you get a mortgage with that debt looming?). University isn't the be all and end all and 2 girls who graduated last year are now working at local supermarkets with no other plans in place (one studied history, not sure about the other).

It's be unusual if every one of your friends didn't get a job that at least required a/any degree though, mollied.

YABU

You did better than me YouCantGetHereFromThere, I couldn't make head nor tail of it

I had to read it a couple of times

I'd let her go for it. It might seem like a waste of time but I bet it could open a lot of doors for her in the future. Any American or global company would be impressed.

I have two friends who did American studies - it seemed to be a mix of literature, politics and history, and was actually v interesting. Both needed to find something else to do afterwards though, as it doesn't lead to anything. One did a masters in politics at Oxford and is now a teacher; the other did a law conversion and is now a barrister.

There's no categorical list but the entry requirements to various courses should give you a clue. If they don't, look at employment prospects and earning potential of graduates.

At UEA, Kent or Nottingham you'd need ABB for American Studies; Birmingham and Manchester look for AAB.

I assume therefore that only subjects that require straight A grades count as "proper" subjects.

Could we please have lists of

a) proper subjects

and

b) proper universities?

I did American studies at Essex a long time ago. A brilliant course imo. It's very wide ranging course - mine was essentially spilt into 4 course areas of Literature, History, sociology and politics. All fascinating disciplines and not lightweight at all. My year abroad was spent at Mount Holyoke girls college - the oldest college for women in America, and theoretically equivalent to Ivy League places like Harvard. I wanted to teach and had a place lined up on a PGCE long before I graduated; I've taught English very successfully ever since.

One did a masters in politics at Oxford and is now a teacher; the other did a law conversion and is now a barrister - oh poor things - if only they had had proper academic advice from a proper academic like pedigreeracer

My friend at uni did it, it was us history and literature I think. She spent a year at a us uni which was a great experience. Now she's a headmistress.

I did American studies and loved it. It also taught me to think and articulate that thinking and I’m now a consultant in health

I can talk first hand about this as I actually did it! It was absolutely fascinating and a good lead on from studying A-Level British Politics and American Politics (and far, far more interesting!!). It covered literature, history, politics and much more... and nothing to do with TV or shops (what an ignorant thing to say!). I also went to uni in the States for a year, that was a massive learning experience for me.

I agree with MrsJoshDun - these types of courses may not train you in what you end up doing but provide varied knowledge and transferable skills.

It depends what your dd is interested in/what she wants to do in life. Despite my degree and the good job I have now, I will thoroughly test my children on "what they want to do in life" before forking out £9K a year on their education. Sometimes an apprenticeship or just starting at the bottom and working up is more cost/time effective. Good luck.

An ex of mine studied American history at uni.

He now works as an estate agent . His degree is entirely pointless and the debt was for nothing. I agree with you, it’s stupid.

I did English and American Studies as my degree. It was difficult. The degree was very theory led, we spent the whole of the first year looking at literary theory and the American Studies course I did was very literature heavy - hence all the theory. We also studied history, politics, urban theory, for example, looking at Los Angeles and nodal reality etc.

It's just as hard as any other humanities degree. It was brilliant and I would do it again in a heartbeat. We also had the opportunity to spend a term in an American university. It's a very prescient degree to do at the moment.

I did a BA American Studies 15 years ago and loved it.

I was a mature student and went to study it purely out of interest with no career plans relating to it.

I then went on to do a MA in a completely unrelated subject which is the field I work in now.

It may not lead directly to a specific job (same as many other degrees) but it does show transferable skills for employment and offers a pathway to further study.

Yeah, she's going to learn nothing from American Studies. Apart from gaining great critical thinking skills, being able to work across multiple disciplinary areas, being highly educated about the historical and political background to a major global player, and having a broad base from which to develop a life that is actually enriched by culture, rather than just material possessions. Apart from that, nothing.

^This! I have an American studies degree - I absolutely loved it and I have been very gainfully employed for the last 30 years.