The
United States has played an outsized role in global affairs even before the War
of Independence. Over a series of interdisciplinary lectures, delivered by
academics from across the Humanities and Social Sciences at Essex, this module
will critically examine the US’ role in international events in history and in
contemporary politics; as well as analyse the impact of global currents on the
political and cultural life of the United States.
Lectures might
examine, for example, the US’ relationships with its neighbours Canada to the
north and Latin America to the south; its actions during WW1, WW2 and, in
particular, the Cold War; its dominant impacts on culture, including film,
television and music; its complex relationships with international bodies such
as NATO, the UN, the World Bank, the International Criminal Court, and others;
its current and recent international interventions in the Middle East; and its
centrality to the global economic order.
The module will
encompass approaches from disciplines including history, sociology, politics,
film studies, economics, law and human rights, and will be of interest to
students across our humanities and social science faculties, and beyond.
- Module Supervisor: Andrew Priest