This four-year undergraduate program combines the study of American culture, politics, and history with English literature, offering a comprehensive and multidisciplinary learning experience. Students engage with diverse themes including race, gender, identity, and power dynamics across American society and literary texts. A defining feature of the program is the year abroad, typically undertaken in the third year, which allows students to immerse themselves in American academic and cultural environments at partner institutions across the USA. This international experience significantly enriches academic learning and personal growth.
Curriculum: The curriculum is carefully structured to foster intellectual curiosity and critical thinking. In the initial years, students are introduced to core modules in American history, cultural studies, and English literature, ranging from early modern texts to contemporary writing. Modules often include titles like "Introduction to American Studies," "American History: From Revolution to Superpower," and "Literature in Context." As students progress, they can tailor their studies through optional modules on topics such as African American literature, Indigenous narratives, Cold War culture, and modern poetry. The final year culminates in a supervised dissertation, allowing students to undertake independent research on a topic of their choice.
Research Focus: The program is grounded in the University of Sussex’s reputation for cutting-edge research, particularly in the fields of American history, cultural studies, and English literature. Faculty members are active researchers who contribute to globally recognized journals and publications. Areas of research excellence include transatlantic relations, 20th-century American politics, contemporary literary theory, and postcolonial studies. Students benefit directly from this research expertise through lectures, seminars, and project supervision, which are consistently informed by the latest academic developments.
Industry Engagement: Although primarily academic, the course encourages students to think about their career trajectories beyond university. The University of Sussex supports this through internship opportunities, guest lectures from industry professionals, and career development workshops. The study abroad year also enhances employability by developing intercultural communication, adaptability, and global awareness. Graduates often pursue careers in education, publishing, journalism, media, public relations, and heritage sectors.
Global Perspective: The study abroad element of the program is a cornerstone of its international outlook. By spending a year in an American university, students gain first-hand experience of the culture and educational system they study. This global engagement fosters deeper cultural empathy and provides a comparative lens through which to examine both American and British literary traditions. Sussex’s international network and culturally diverse campus environment further enhance the global learning experience.
