American Studies

How did Donald Trump become president of the United States? How did Nike sneakers become associated with "Black Lives Matter"? How did gun ownership become a central question of American politics? What do people really mean when they say gender is "performative"?

In American Studies, you learn in depth about the popular culture, politics, history, literature, economics, race relations, and religions of the United States. And you study the connections between the Americas and the wider world. American Studies is not only 'American' - its international scope and inter-American perspective prepare you for an international career.

Our entire program is taught in English by top-notch international faculty, who help you get acquainted with a range of academic disciplines. With America as your case study, you develop essential skills in writing, speaking, and research-skills that you can apply far beyond the analysis of U.S. culture and politics.

The United States was once considered “the land of the future” - today, it is the oldest continuously existing democracy. An American Studies degree will help you understand the high stakes of the debates that animate global political and social movements today, so you can be an informed citizen of your country and the world.

Why study this programme in Groningen?

• Think Independently: American Studies at UG is the only program of its kind in the Netherlands. Because we're a freestanding program (not part of the History or English Departments), every course is designed to look at America from multiple angles. Faculty experts in fields like political history, literature and media, religious studies, and Latin American culture will help you to form your own views on America and the world.
• Connect at University of Groningen: In our small seminars and close-knit intellectual community, you can learn and challenge yourself with the help of classmates, faculty, and our knowledgeable Study Advisor.
• Connect Abroad: With our network of partner institutions, you can spend a semester working on your BA and experiencing American culture and politics first-hand in a U.S. city like Orlando or Charleston, or at a leading university in Canada or Mexico.