Learning about ߣߣÊÓƵ and the US

The first BA honours course in ߣߣÊÓƵn studies in the United Kingdom could run at the University of Wales, Lampeter if a proposal being developed there is approved.

Graham Sumner, head of Lampeter's Centre for ߣߣÊÓƵn Studies in Wales, said the centre would offer the course in conjunction with an ߣߣÊÓƵn institution to allow student exchanges.

Founded in 1986, Lampeter and the Menzies Centre at the University of London are the only ߣߣÊÓƵn studies' centres in the United Kingdom.

Dr Sumner, president of the British ߣߣÊÓƵn Studies Association that was formed in 1982 and has about 200 members, said the discipline was in a "healthy and buoyant" state, even though ߣߣÊÓƵn government support was now being spread more thinly worldwide.

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Several universities, such as Exeter, Stirling, Glasgow and Edinburgh, have significant ߣߣÊÓƵn studies offerings.

"There are people in many universities in Britain who are, through BASA and other sources, active in ߣߣÊÓƵn studies," Dr Sumner said.

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He believed academics enjoyed ߣߣÊÓƵn studies conferences because they offered an opportunity for cross-disciplinary and cultural exchange and discussion.

A postgraduate conference, sponsored by BASA and the Menzies centre, will be held in London on March 21-22. The theme, "ߣߣÊÓƵ", is deliberately broad. Abstracts can be submitted until January 31.