American Studies and Film Studies (with a study abroad year) BA (Hons)

Program Overview

This interdisciplinary program explores the nexus of American Studies and Film Studies. Students immerse themselves in American history and culture while examining the profound impact of film as an entertainment, informational, and influential medium. The year abroad at prestigious institutions in the United States enhances cultural immersion and global perspective, preparing graduates for diverse careers in the arts, education, media, and more.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This program combines American Studies and Film Studies, offering a comprehensive exploration of American culture and its cinematic representations. Students will delve into a wide range of topics, from the emergence of celebrity culture to contemporary Hollywood blockbusters. The program aims to provide a deep understanding of the United States' pivotal role in shaping the 20th and 21st centuries, examining how cinema entertains, informs, and influences audiences. Students will investigate global film cultures, analyze cinematic representations of gender, race, and sexuality, and explore popular genres. The program emphasizes a hands-on approach, with engaged and passionate tutors guiding students through each year. Specialist options allow for personalized learning, enabling students to tailor their degree to their specific interests. The program culminates in a year abroad, providing students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in American culture and study at prestigious partner institutions, including UC Berkeley and Georgetown.

Outline:

The program is structured over four years, with a year abroad incorporated into the curriculum.

Year 1 at Sussex:

• Core Modules:
• Analysing Film B
• European Cinema
• Introduction to American Studies
• Exploring Film Studies B
• Global Cinema
• Modern America
• Options:
• American Political Culture
• Roots of America: From Colonial Settlement to the Civil War and Reconstruction
• Writing Early America: Literature to 1800
• Radical Theory
• The Look of America
• Writing the New Nation: 1800-1900

Year 2 at Sussex:

• Core Modules:
• Film Theory B
• Theoretical Concepts for American Studies
• American Cities
• Options:
• Adaptation: Filming Fiction
• American Literature in the Long Twentieth Century
• American Political Culture
• Box Set TV: Contemporary Serial Television
• Debates in Screen Documentary B
• Film Musicals
• Race and Ethnicity in US History
• Women in America
• American Popular Music
• British Cinema B
• Chinese Cinema
• Indian Cinema: Popular Hindi Film
• Latin American Cinema: Contemporary Trends and Movements
• Picasso to Kahlo: Transatlantic Dialogues
• 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

Study Abroad (Year 3):

Students spend their third year studying at one of the program's partner institutions in the United States or Canada. Partner institutions include:

• UC Berkeley and UCLA
• Tulane University in New Orleans and the University of North Carolina
• Georgetown University and George Washington University, Washington, DC.

Year 4 at Sussex:

• Options:
• American Empire
• American Studies Dissertation
• Cinema and Migration
• Pop Soundtrack Cinema
• 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
• Viewing Women
• What is War
• History Special Dissertation: The Civil Rights Movement
• America in the 21st Century
• American Teen Cinema: Coming of Age on Screen
• Cinema and Sexualities
• Film Studies Dissertation
• Hollywood Industry and Imaginary
• 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

Assessment:

The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods, including:

• Essays
• Dissertations
• Presentations
• Film analysis
• Research projects

Teaching:

The program employs a range of teaching methods, including:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Workshops
• Film screenings
• Guest lectures
The faculty comprises experienced and passionate academics with expertise in American Studies and Film Studies.

Careers:

Graduates of this program are equipped with a strong foundation in critical thinking, communication, and cultural understanding. They are well-prepared for a variety of careers, including:

• Film and television production
• Journalism and media
• Education
• Research
• Cultural institutions

Other:

The program emphasizes the importance of cultural and social perspectives, gained through the year abroad experience. The program also highlights the role of cinema in shaping and reflecting society.

Note:

The program's assessment methods, teaching approaches, and career outcomes may vary depending on individual student choices and the evolving nature of the program.