MA American Studies

American Studies allows you to understand the United States from a literary and historical perspective. On this course, you’ll study landmark historical events, novels, films, comic books, photographs and paintings. In doing so, you’ll gain in-depth critical insight into the key moments and debates that have animated the history and culture of the United States.

You’ll discover the events and forces that shaped the United States, deepening your understanding of how this powerful nation moulds and influences the cultural, political and economic lives of its own peoples and the world.

You’ll explore the subject through a mix of seminar classes and academic tutorials. You’ll engage in debate and creative discussion, while choosing your own specialist pathway though the subject.

If your background is in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary American studies, we can support you as you continue to specialise in this vibrant field and find exciting new areas to pursue.

If you’re a graduate of literature or history, or another discipline, we’ll not only provide a place to explore the United States in depth, but offer new theoretical and conceptual perspectives that can enliven your existing learning.

UEA has been a pioneering centre of American Studies for more than 50 years. We’re one of the most well established and highly regarded departments of this kind in the UK, with a long heritage of researching and teaching all aspects of life and culture in the United States. We continue to be at the forefront of the field today.

ABOUT

Understanding America in the 21st century is more essential now than ever. Studying one of the world’s most significant superpowers at this fascinating moment of flux and change opens up a wide range of academic pathways.

The programme is organised thematically, covering topics such as race, gender and civil liberties; power and protest; and American popular culture and the avant-garde. Your studies will equip you with the critical skills and methodological training you need to pursue your interest in America from different disciplinary perspectives. It’s a great preparation for future employment in a number of fields, as well as for doctoral research.

This MA is equally well suited to American Studies graduates wishing to deepen their expertise, and to graduates of literature, history, or other disciplines wishing to discover new perspectives.