Facebook   American (United States) Studies

The University of Essex has been a major teaching and research institution for American (US) Studies since it was founded in 1962, thus our American Studies degrees are built upon over 40 years of expertise in the study of the region.

All staff associated with the Centre maintain long-standing research interests on a wide range of topics, including American history, law, literature, film, politics, and sociology. We also maintain strong links to numerous American universities and colleges, including Mount Holyoke College,  The University of North Carolina,  University of Michigan (Ann Arbor),  Purdue University, University of Miami, two links on the Hawai'ian Islands and many others.

United States Studies at the University of Essex

At Essex, we recognize that as a discipline, American Studies has become increasingly relevant to comprehending not just the United States, but also world events more generally. These are crucial times for examining the United States as a national and a global phenomenon - and American Studies is designed to produce the critically and socially aware experts we will need in the coming years to study, analyse, and comment on this constantly evolving field.

On a practical level, the Centre aims to provide a convivial and stimulating environment for students to become better acquainted with the US - offering the academic rigour of an interdisciplinary curriculum and the opportunity to spend a substantial amount of time studying with one of our American exchange partners as part of the degree.

The Guardian ranks American Studies at Essex in the top 4

Student Satisfaction Survey - Departmental response 2009-10

Academic Calendar

2012 - 2013

  • Autumn term Thursday 4 October 2012 - Friday 14 December 2012
  • Spring term   Monday 14 January 2013 - Friday 22 March 2013
  • Summer term Monday 22 April 2013 - Friday 28 June 2013