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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think American studies is a stupid subject?

187 replies

firsttimeucaser · 01/03/2018 15:17

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.

OP posts:
Skiiltan · 01/03/2018 19:02

I didn't mean that I thought the course was about American TV/shops, more that that is the only aspect of the US that dd has ever displayed any interest in before. I was sort of wondering whether young girls who are a bit obsessed with American culture saw American studies as a jazzed up, more glamorous version of a history degree

That's possible, but it's not exclusive to American Studies. I meet a lot of teenagers who have completely unrealistic ideas about forensic science and (particularly) midwifery.

I think it was the phrase "a stupid subject" that got everyone's backs up.

corythatwas · 01/03/2018 19:05

Most universities publish employment stats and destinations of former alumni; always worth having a look at before pronouncing on uselessness of degree.

ForalltheSaints · 01/03/2018 19:27

I would be concerned at any subject with the word 'studies' in the title.

nerdgasm · 01/03/2018 19:34

A lot of museum curators nowadays have Masters degrees in Museum Studies, and that’s a career that a lot of people would consider terribly worthy and academic. I resent the implication that the word ‘studies’ means that degree is somehow less deserving of respect than others!

Bluelady · 01/03/2018 19:41

What's wrong with the word studies all of a sudden?

TulipsInAJug · 01/03/2018 19:46

Media studies... A Mickey Mouse subject if there ever was one Wink

I did history and English literature at a prestigious university, and I did an American literature module which was one of my favourite, if not my favourite, modules of all. I also love American history, and the political system is also very worth studying. So I agree with others that it could be a very worthwhile and interesting degree.

Skiiltan · 01/03/2018 19:50

I would be concerned at any subject with the word 'studies' in the title.

Well, quite. Asian & Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Cambridge, or Oriental Studies at the University of Oxford, or Social, Political & Legal Studies at the University of Edinburgh. Obviously all Mickey-Mouse. Aircraft Engineering with Pilot Studies at the University of Salford: waste of time. Mathematical Studies at the University of Leeds: no use to anyone...

gussyfinknottle · 01/03/2018 19:52

Wow! I did it at university as a subsidiary 30 years ago. It was really good. The history was fascinating and quite dense and difficult prior to 1776 as was the literature.
A Russell Group one if anyone cares about that any more.

Skiiltan · 01/03/2018 19:55

What's wrong with the word studies all of a sudden?

The Daily Mail doesn't like it. The Daily Mail is the spiteful middle class's bible.

I know of at least one degree programme in my own institution that won't accept A-level media studies, despite the fact it doesn't exclude any others (leisure & tourism, entertainment technology, etc.). It is absolutely pure prejudice.

Skiiltan · 01/03/2018 19:58

gussyfinknottle

Wow! I did it at university as a subsidiary 30 years ago...
A Russell Group one if anyone cares about that any more.

The Russell Group didn't exist 30 years ago. It was only invented in 1994.

How are the newts?

SuperBeagle · 01/03/2018 20:01

American history is interesting when all you've been battered over the head with for the last 12 years is British history.

I found it far more interesting than British history, because all I learnt during school (in Australia) was Euro-centric history.

I honestly think there's just a strong anti-American sentiment on Mumsnet, and you can say that you're only concerned about the value of the degree, but there's a stronger bitterness betrayed in your post.

Hoolahoophop · 01/03/2018 20:11

Only read the first and last page so sorry if this has been mentioned. A friend did American studies when we were at UEA 15 years ago. It was a 4 year cause with a year in an American university. I think studying abroad really looks good on a cv. He's highly sucesful now working in diplomacy.

YouCantGetHereFromThere · 01/03/2018 20:23

Are all Business Studies degrees pointless now too?

MillieMollieMandi · 01/03/2018 20:46

I did a 'proper degree' read classics, learned Ancient Greek etc and, except for the fact that I have a degree, transferrable skills etc, it hasn't been useful at all. In hindsight American Studies would have been far more relevant and interesting! I wish I'd been more open minded about what I could have studied.

dingdongdigeridoo · 01/03/2018 21:03

Media studies gets slated a lot. But I have a very similar degree and it has given me a lot of useful skills. As well as the academic side which studied culture and the history of media, I picked up skills such as video production, writing and editing content, layouts and images, and a whole bunch of stuff that looks good on my CV. (I got my first job because they were impressed I could use InDesign!)

I’ve noticed that some unis have rebranded it as Media Communications, presumably because of the stigma attached to the subject.

littlemissrain · 01/03/2018 22:36

I think 'Canadian Studies' or 'Australian Studies' would be odd & not particularly useful degrees, but America is important enough in the world to justify its own degree, I think!

I haven't heard of these particular country studies degrees before though for English-speaking countries - I always presumed they were language degrees with a bit of culture/history/literature on the side.

Littlegoth · 01/03/2018 23:07

I did a dual honours degree in American Studies and another subject. American studies covered a wide range across different curricular areas. My favourites focused on history and film, but I also studied politics and literature. I went on to teach RE, History and English and now work in Human Resources. I still have a personal interest in what I studied then, and while relevant to teaching I think it’s still relevant to me now, particular when considering things like trends and social and economic culture. No regrets

HenryIV · 01/03/2018 23:28

Back in the early 80s I messed up my offer for an English & Drama joint hons degree (AAE grades) and dismissed offers in clearing for American Studies at some great universities. I didn't think it was a 'serious' degree (and I wanted to do Drama! :)). Fast forward a few years (after getting my Eng/Drama degree and then fannying around for a couple of years) I ended up working in big jobs in US companies where American Studies would probably have served me much better. I think it opens as many doors as other humanities subjects so why not?

Neves7 · 02/03/2018 06:08

It looks to me like the days when any degree improved your job prospects are very quickly come to an end. Make sure she looks into recent graduate job prospects and job market projections for the next five years and not those from 4+ years ago. The job market is changing rapidly.

Peekaboo3 · 02/03/2018 06:37

Never heard of an 'American studies' degree.

Peekaboo3 · 02/03/2018 06:37

Never heard of an 'American studies' degree.

Peekaboo3 · 02/03/2018 06:37

Never heard of an 'American studies' degree.

Peekaboo3 · 02/03/2018 06:38

Ooops, sorry. I don't know why that posted 3 times! Blush

Peekaboo3 · 02/03/2018 06:50

Maybe if you were going to live and work in America, and with American people and so on, yeah, but otherwise, how would this degree serve you well in any other career? Not bashing it, just wondering.

Tippz · 02/03/2018 06:53

@dingdongdigeridoo

Media studies gets slated a lot. But I have a very similar degree and it has given me a lot of useful skills. As well as the academic side which studied culture and the history of media, I picked up skills such as video production, writing and editing content, layouts and images, and a whole bunch of stuff that looks good on my CV. (I got my first job because they were impressed I could use InDesign!)

Yeah, my niece did Media Studies, and got slated massively for it, with wanky demeaning comments like 'it's a mickey mouse degree,' spouted by ignorant arseholes who know fuck-all about it.

She has the last laugh though. Now 25, and working for the BBC in a £37K a year job, living a great life, and meeting celebrities almost every day she is at work. Whilst the same tits who slated her are working for minimum pay in poundland or tesco, or not even working at all.

I also know several people who took so-called 'REAL' degrees, who are working in macdonalds. Next to people who failed their GCSEs.

My neighbour's daughter (23,) did a degree in performing arts (another one that is mocked regularly by oiks.) She has been performing in a west end show in London for the past year.

So people slating media and performing arts degrees and suchlike can fucking bore off. They are no more 'worthless' than any other degree. Nor are they so-called 'mickey mouse' degrees.

Never heard of 'American Studies' though. But as quite a few posters have said, it could be useful in some careers, but you would have to research it first and find out if the degree is relevant.