American Studies

Programme Description

American Studies at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) has evolved in a unique way. Unlike other programmes of its kind in Europe, it has not developed from the study of American language and literature. Instead, it has always been interdisciplinary, combining history, the social sciences and literary studies.

While the programme has always considered the United States from an international and comparative perspective, it has recently been expanded to include the new global perspective. Central themes in the programme are: American democracy, American-European diplomatic and military relations, the Americanisation of Europe and allegations concerning American cultural imperialism.

For the programme taught in Amsterdam this perspective has the following three consequences:

Firstly, students will look at the United States as an international presence, the way it affects other countries and cultures politically, economically, militarily and culturally.

Secondly, they will study the ways in which American and European intellectuals analyse America - sometimes as a counterpoint to Europe - and their attempt to grasp its critical differences from European traditions. In a sense, this exploration is as much European intellectual history as it is American studies.

Thirdly, students will explore America as a cultural presence in European mass media, such as film, radio, television, photography and advertising. The central themes for study and discussion are the nature of American culture, the Americanisation of Europe, the European debate about American mass culture and the relation between Americanisation and globalisation.

Central themes in the programme are American democracy, American-European diplomatic and military relations, the Americanisation of Europe, and the allegations concerning American cultural imperialism.

The Master's programme in American Studies prepares students to pursue a PhD or for a career in independent research, journalism or a variety of advisory and managerial positions in public organisations and government institutions.