American Studies

• Compulsory

  American History – Birth of a Nation

  Discover the triumphs and tragedies of American history before 1900: The struggle for independence. The rise and fall of slavery. The winners and losers of westward expansion. 

  American History: the American Century

  From the 1900s to Trump, you'll analyse pivotal events, figures and themes to learn how the USA came to dominate the world in political, economic, cultural and military terms.

  Transformative Texts of American Literature

  You'll study a selection of American novels, plays and poems that changed not only American literature but how we think about crucial social issues. 

  American Film and Society

  Trace the relationship between Hollywood cinema and US society, considering how films of different genres and periods tackle themes like race, gender, sexuality, class and disability.

  Picturing America: Art and Design

  Explore America's rich visual culture in the context of a changing nation. You will critically examine works by artists and designers of diverse backgrounds and develop skills in reading images and objects.

  Research Contemporary American Culture

  Discover the vibrant and exciting world of contemporary American pop culture. You'll work in groups exploring the meanings and values of TV shows, music videos, sporting events, and social media memes.

• Compulsory

  Introduction to the American Year Abroad

  This module prepares you for your year abroad. It guides you through applying, demystifies the college system, addresses any concerns, and broadens your awareness of the US.

  Contemporary America in Context

  Get the history behind each week's news. To debunk the myths of changing social and political events, we dive deeper to understand the narratives underneath the stories. 

• Optional

  The Fire Next Time: From Slavery to Civil Rights

  Explore African-American history and culture from the arrival of the first kidnapped Africans to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. 

  American Alternative Cinema

  Explore and apply theoretical approaches to aesthetic forms and themes, modes of production, and audience and media reception of categories such as 'underground cinema' and 'indiewood'. Develop your critical and theoretical faculties so that you can actively engage and participate in debates that encompass both mainstream and alternative American filmmaking practices.

  American Animation History

  In this module, you'll develop a deeper understanding of the history of American animation by taking an in-depth look at the genre.

  Understanding America

  An introduction to the political culture and institutions of the USA. You'll consider America's international role and the relationship between its domestic and international policies.

  New York City in Culture

  Perhaps the most recognisable American city and arguably the USA's cultural capital. This module looks at New York as the setting and subject of works of different media and genre.

  Musical-Made America

  The musical is a distinctively American genre. Examine how Hollywood and Broadway have created spaces to represent and re-imagine the USA's sexual, racial and political identities. 

  Reagan's Polarised America; a Cultural Study of the USA in the 1980s

  Looking at the turbulent events of the 80s can help us understand today's USA. You'll study popular cultural texts to shed light on American identities, politics and representations. 

• Compulsory

  Dissertation (American Studies)

  This year-long module involves extensive research and consultation in preparing a large-format essay: an in-depth analysis of an aspect of American society, history, or culture.

• Optional

  The Globalisation of American Culture: International Perspectives on America as a Cultural Superpower

  Is the world becoming ever more 'Americanised'? Or can countries and peoples resist the USA's 'cultural imperialism'? This module explores the impact of Americanisation.

  American History by Hollywood

  Film-makers have long used the history of the USA as a source of stories and characters. This module compared Hollywood's version with what historical sources say 'really' happened.

  Doin' Time: American Prison Culture of the 20th and 21st Centuries

  Get an overview of the key debates and concepts in American prison studies as we explore one of the world's largest prison systems and the cultural responses it's spawned. 

  Disney Studies

  An in-depth exploration of the history and impact of Disney's global entertainment empire.

  Crossing the Line: Frontiers in the Literature of America

  Examine how cultural exchange, interaction and migration have shaped the US, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean by studying texts that cross lines between cultures.

  The Civil War in American History and Culture

  Explore the American Civil War's seismic impact on US politics, society and culture. You'll learn about the conflict and its outcomes, as well as its continuing - and contested - legacy. 

  Telling the Truth: American Documentary Culture from the Muckrakers to Fake News

  Explore how photographers and filmmakers have documented American society from the early 20th century to the present day, on a module with a focus on visual culture.

94%

of students were satisfied overall with their course.

Data for courses in American and Australasian studies at University of Hull

93%

of students agreed staff were good at explaining things.

Data for courses in American and Australasian studies at University of Hull

90%

in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.

Data for American Studies (Full time) at University of Hull