American Studies and Film Studies

American studies and film studies together examine two of the most powerful forces in modern global culture: the United States as a political, social, and cultural phenomenon, and cinema as an art form and mass medium. American studies draws on history, literature, politics, and cultural theory to understand how the United States has shaped and been shaped by the world; film studies applies critical and theoretical tools to the moving image, asking how films are made, what they mean, and how they work on their audiences. The two fields intersect constantly, since American cinema is arguably the most globally distributed cultural export of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

At the University of Sussex, this four-year full-time degree allows you to develop real analytical depth in both areas, with the benefit of a foundation year that builds your academic skills and subject knowledge before you enter the main programme. You will explore the history, politics, literature, and culture of the United States alongside close analysis of films and audiovisual media from Hollywood and beyond, developing the critical thinking and communication skills that both disciplines demand. Sussex describes the degree as giving you tools to think critically, communicate clearly, and engage meaningfully with the world, which reflects the dual rigour of the combination.

Graduates from this joint degree go on to work in journalism, broadcasting, film production and distribution, arts programming, marketing and communications, education, and cultural policy. The critical and research skills developed through both disciplines are highly transferable and valued across sectors that deal with media, communication, and cultural interpretation. Postgraduate study in American studies, film studies, media studies, or cultural theory is a natural next step for those who want to pursue academic or specialist research careers.