The North American Studies Program is a multidisciplinary, multi-methodological area studies program which explores the United States, Canada and Mexico from the perspectives of fields such as history, literature, sociology, political science, cultural studies, mass communication and Finnish-American relations.

 The NAM-program has two levels: the Basic Studies level (20 credits) offering introductory courses and surveys on different fields within North American Studies and the Subject Studies level (20 credits) offering seminars where students write research papers using multimethodological approaches. For subject studies, students can transfer North American Studies credits earned at foreign universities.

 All students at the University of Tampere are welcome to study at the NAM-Program. It is particularly useful for students planning to write their master’s thesis on a North American topic or for students who wish to pursue doctoral studies at the Finnish Graduate School for North American Studies. Students planning to study or work in North America or in the field of international relations will also benefit from NAM-studies.

 Contact Information

 Before beginning North American Studies, students are adviced to contact the program coordinator for North American Studies and to subscribe to the mailing list NAM.students@uta.fi.

 The North American Studies office is situated in the University Main Building, Kalevantie 4, Room C 136. Tel.: 03-215 7154, fax: 03-215 6980, e-mail: NorthAmericanStudies@ uta.fi. The North American Studies Library  has an extensive collection of books and microfilms on the United States and Canada. Tel.: 03-215 6547, fax: 03-215 6980.

BASIC STUDIES (20 credits)

NAM-1 Introduction to North American Studies, 3 credits

Introduction to interdisciplinary, multimethodical area studies. Review of different theories and explanations of North American cultures. 

Contact person and examiner: Professor Auvo Kostiainen, Dept. of History auvo.kostiainen@uta.fi;, Dept. of History 

A lecture course, 10 guest lectures and book exams: Henriksson, Markku, Kotka ja vaahteranlehti, and Introduction to American Studies, ed. Bradbury, Malcolm & Temperley, Howard, or Sirevåg, Torbjörn, American Patterns: An Interpretation of U.S. History and Life, 1 credit.

NAM-2 History and Geography, 2-4 credits 

Surveys and special courses on history, geography and ecology. At least 1 credit is required from both history and geography. 

Contact person and examiner: Researcher Jarmo Oikarinen, Dept. of History auvo.kostiainen@uta.fi;, Dept. of History 

Book examination on History: Henriksson, Markku, Siirtokunnista kansakunniksi, and McNaught, Kenneth, The Penguin History of Canada or Sellers, Synopsis of American History, 2 credits. 

Book examination on North American Geography: Dunlop & MacDonald, North America: The New Geography  or F.W.Boal, S. Royle, North America. A Geographical Mosaic 1 credit. 

Book examination on Ecology: Crosby, Alfred, The Columbian Exchange. 1 credit

NAM-3 Language and Literature, 2-4 credits

Surveys and special courses on North American language and literature. 

Contact person and examiner: Professor David Robertson, Dept. of English Philology david.robertson@uta.fi

NAM-4 Law and Politics, 2-4 credits

North American political systems. Foreign policy. US presidency and presidents. Canadian and US constitutions. 

Contact person and examiner: Associate Professor Jukka Paastela, Dept. of Political Science and International Relations 

Book examinations on the USA: Wilson, James Q., American Government, Institutions & Policies, third or later edition or Vile, M.J.C., Politics in the USA, 1 credit and Hall, Kermit, The Magic Mirror: Law in American History, 1 credit 

Book examinations on Canada: Forbes, H.D. Canadian Political Thought, 1 credit Monaham, Patrick, Politics and the Constitution, 1 credit

NAM-5 Society and Culture, 2-4 credits

Overall and special features of North American cultures. Canadian and US institutions. Ethnic & gender questions. Economics. 

Contact person and examiner: Research and Teaching Assistant Tapio Nisula, Dept. of Sociology, tapio.nisula@uta.fi 

Book examination: Rose, Dan, Patterns of American Culture, -89, and Zukin, Sharon, Landscapes of Power: From Detroit to Disney World, -91, 2 credits 

Book examination on Ethnicity and Urbanization: Lamphere, Louise, Structuring Diversity: Ethnographic Perspectives on the New Immigration, -92, and Jankowski, Martin Sanchez, Islands in the Street: Gangs and American Urban Society, -91, 2 credits 

Book examination on Economics: (the examiner is professor Auvo Kostiainen, auvo.kostiainen@uta.fi): Hughes, Jonathan, American Economic History, -87, 1 credit

NAM-6 Mass Communications, 1-3 credits

American mass communications theory, policy and system. Contact person and examiner: Professor Kaarle Nordenstreng tikano@uta.fi, Dept. of Journalism and Mass Communication 

Book examinations: DeFleur & Ball-Rokeach: Theories of Mass Communication, -89, 1 credit 

Extra credits may be earned with: Carey, Communication as Culture, 1989, 1 credit Newcomb: Television: The Critical View, -94, 1 credit

NAM-7 Finnish-American Relations, 2-4 credits

Introduction to Finnish-American relations. Cultural exchange. Immigration. 

Contact person and examiner: Professor Marjatta Hietala, Dept. of History marjatta.hietala@uta.fi, Dept. of History 

Book examination: Berry, R. Michael, American Foreign Policy and the Finnish Exeption, 1 credit Levo-Henriksson, Ritva, Eyes upon Wings, 1 credit

SUBJECT STUDIES 20 credits

NAM-8 Research Seminar in North American Studies, 6 credits

This particular seminar will not offer the formal side of doing research and, therefore, it is meant for students who have already finished at least one pro-seminar in another subject. The seminar will concentrate on deepening students' knowledge in the field of North American Studies. In order to complete this course students are required to write a research paper. When possible, the seminar is organized under the supervision of an American visitor.

NAM-9 Classics of North American Studies, 4 credits

An interdisciplinary course with extensive reading for students to familiarize themselves with the works that are considered as classics of North American Studies.

NAM-10 Advanced Courses & Seminars on US and Canadian Culture, 10 credits

Students can choose special courses from the NAM-curriculum or use the credits they have earned in foreign universities. They can also consult appropriate contact persons within the NAM-program and write papers or take examinations according to their own interests.