History and American Studies

History and American studies is a combination that puts the United States in global perspective. American studies examines the culture, society, politics, literature, and history of the United States as an integrated field, asking what it means to be American and how the country's institutions, myths, and contradictions have shaped both its internal life and its role in the world. History provides the methodological rigour and comparative perspective to situate American experience within broader patterns of change, and to examine other national and transnational histories alongside it.

Together the two disciplines produce graduates with both analytical depth and a strong grasp of the world's most powerful nation.

At the University of Northumbria at Newcastle, this four-year extended programme includes a sandwich placement year, a year abroad, and work placement experience. The extended structure and the year abroad are particularly significant for American studies, as spending time in the United States gives you direct experience of the country and culture you have been studying academically, and it is an opportunity that few programmes outside this combination can offer in such a structured way. The work placements and sandwich year provide additional professional experience that strengthens your employability on graduation.

The academic content covers American history, literature, and culture from the colonial period to the present, alongside a wide range of historical topics that give you comparative context and transferable analytical skills. You will examine race, class, gender, politics, and culture in the United States, and relate them to both the specifics of American experience and broader historical frameworks.

Graduates work in journalism, policy, education, the cultural sector, international business, and government, as well as pursuing careers in the United States or in organisations with significant American connections. Postgraduate study in American studies, history, or transatlantic studies is a common route for those wishing to develop research expertise.