American studies

Sussex and America

Module code: T7084
Level 4
15 credits in spring semester
Teaching method: Workshop, Seminar
Assessment modes: Project, Group presentation

The founding of American Studies at Sussex (and elsewhere) was a moment of US Cold War ‘soft power’ cultural outreach and diplomacy.

On this module, you’ll explore the transnational reach and impact of the United States, tracing its connections to our university and beyond. You’ll learn about the contemporary relevance of American Studies in areas such as:

• museums and curating
• government and policy.

In workshops, you’ll develop practical skills, working in collaboration with your peers to respond to a real-world brief, such as drafting a policy paper or curating an exhibition. Through lectures, roundtables with external speakers and fieldwork, you’ll understand how the US has shaped different national and local contexts.

You’ll develop knowledge and transferable skills in communication, collaboration and creativity relevant to future careers in:

• education, government and policy
• public history and heritage
• media, arts and culture.

Module learning outcomes

• Identify and be able to analyse and explain the role of the United States in the world, and to challenge assumptions and engage with the global impact of the US.
• Develop knowledge and transferable skills in communication, collaboration, and creativity relevant to future careers in range of different job sectors.
• Articulate ideas confidently, clearly, and persuasively, both in written and oral and/or digital forms, tailored to academic, creative, and professional audiences.
• Build a diverse, rigorous, and interdisciplinary knowledge of American history and culture in relation to the world.