- 2nd in the UK for American Studies (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)
- 4th in the UK for American Studies (Complete University Guide 2024)
- =18th in the UK for Politics (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023)
An understanding of modern politics cannot be complete without considering the influence of America.
With our American Studies and Politics BA, you’ll explore the literature, history and culture of a global powerhouse. You’ll also learn from leading political experts who influence debate on topics ranging from corruption to international governance.
You’ll join a politically engaged community in one of the UK’s most politically diverse cities. During your year abroad, you’ll gain first-hand experience of American culture and politics. We’re proud to have more prestigious American partner institutions – including UC Berkeley and Georgetown – than any other programme in England.
Internship
As a final-year student, you can apply for a competitive internship with a Westminster MP or in local government with Brighton & Hove City Council.
We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.
Open Days and virtual visits
Meet us on campus or online
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for this course are currently under review – please check back in early March 2024.
Modules
This is a joint-honours course, offering you a combinations of subjects, each taking up 50% of your time.
Find out about our types of undergraduate degrees, their structure, modules and credits
Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
- British Political History
- Explanatory Concepts in Political Science
- Introduction to American Studies
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
Options
Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
- American Political Culture
- Roots of America: From Colonial Settlement to the Civil War and Reconstruction
- Writing Early America: Literature to 1800
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
Options
Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
- American Literature in the Long Twentieth Century
- American Political Culture
- Box Set TV: Contemporary Serial Television
- Film Musicals
- Race and Ethnicity in US History
- Women in America
- American Popular Music
- Communicating Politics
- Latin American Cinema: Contemporary Trends and Movements
- Picasso to Kahlo: Transatlantic Dialogues
- Political Systems and Issues: France
- Political Systems and Issues: Germany
- Political Systems and Issues: India
- Political Systems and Issues: International Institutions and Issues
- Political Systems and Issues: Ireland
- Political Systems and Issues: The European Union
- Political Systems and Issues: Turkey
- Political Systems and Issues: USA
- Pop Life: After Modern Art
- The Look of America
- Time and Place 1899: Apex Empires, Savage Wars
- Time and Place: 1661: Slavery in English America
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
You spend your third year studying at one of our US or Canadian partners’ campuses. Our range of partner institutions represents every facet of the American experience, and includes:
- UC Berkeley and UCLA
- Tulane University in New Orleans and the University of North Carolina
- Georgetown University and George Washington University, Washington, DC.
Whether you are interested in Native American culture, the Civil Rights movement, or American modernist poetry, Sussex offers you a unique experience while studying in North America.
If your application to study abroad is successful, you’ll have to meet the academic requirements at Sussex and also at the partner university. Find out more about studying abroad as a Sussex student
Please note that courses with a study abroad year are not eligible for USA federal Direct Loan funds. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid
Options
You choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
- American Empire
- American Studies Dissertation
- Global Crisis and European Political Economy
- Political Change: Eastern Europe in Transition
- Political Change: Money, Power and Campaigns
- Political Change: Political Parties and Party Systems
- Political Change: The European Union as a Global Actor
- Political Change: The Politics of Euroscepticism
- Political Change: The Rise of Anti-politics
- Political Psychology
- Politics and International Business
- Race and Ethnicity in Popular Cinema
- Special Subject: Israel–US Special Relations and the New Diplomatic History
- Special Subject: Israel–US Special Relations and the New Diplomatic History Part A
- Special Subject: The Civil Rights Movement
- Special Subject: The Civil Rights Movement Part A
- Topics in African American Literature
- What is War
- History Special Dissertation Israel-US Special Relations and the New Diplomatic History
- History Special Dissertation: The Civil Rights Movement
- America in the 21st Century
- American Teen Cinema: Coming of Age on Screen
- Democracy and Inequality
- Feminism and Women's Political Activism in Britain
- Governing Technology
- Hollywood Industry and Imaginary
- Immigration and the Liberal State
- Independent Study/Internship Option
- Political Corruption
- Populism and Politics
- Queer Fictions
- Race, Photography, Archives
- Special Subject: Israel–US Special Relations and the New Diplomatic History
- Special Subject: Israel–US Special Relations and the New Diplomatic History Part B
- Special Subject: The Civil Rights Movement
- Special Subject: The Civil Rights Movement Part B
- The Politics of Feeling
Autumn teaching
Autumn and spring teaching
Spring teaching
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
Find out about American Studies at the University of Sussex
Writer-in-Residence Scheme
Stephen Bush, the award-winning journalist, and columnist and associate editor at the Financial Times, is our Political Writer in Residence.
In this role, he’ll deliver a number of writing workshops for first-year Politics students. This gives you the opportunity to develop your skills as a political writer and to become an outstanding political communicator. Stephen will also provide personalised feedback on student blogs.
Working with students challenges me to think about how I write day to day. And with our archive right here at Sussex it couldn’t be a better fit.”Stephen Bush
Columnist and Associate Editor, Financial Times
Silver
The student experience and student outcomes are typically very high quality.
This rating was awarded in 2023, for four years.
(Teaching Excellence Framework 2023)
Find out more about our approach to teaching and supporting you to thrive
Our staff
American Studies
Politics
Fees
Fees are not yet set for the academic year 2025/26 – please check back in September 2024. Note that your fees, once they’re set, may be subject to an increase on an annual basis.
Find out about typical living costs for studying at Sussex
Find out about our terms and conditions
Scholarships
Details of our scholarships are not yet set for entry in the academic year 2025/26.
Careers
By thinking critically across disciplines, you learn a broad range of analytical and communication skills. These will be enhanced on your year abroad where you’ll gain invaluable cultural and social perspectives. As a result, you will be in demand in fields such as:
- journalism and marketing
- TV and film production
- policy research.
Graduate destinations
Our recent American Studies graduates have started work as:
- Junior Account Executive, Alexandra Public Relations
- Fundraising and Social Media Officer, St Michael’s Fellowship
- Education Co-ordinator, Whitechapel Gallery
(School of Media, Arts and Humanities careers database)
Working while you study
Our Careers and Entrepreneurship team can help you find part-time work while you study. Find out more about career development and part-time work