History: American Studies

In American Studies, we study the USA historically and with an eye toward the present. We explore politics and foreign policy, but also the culture that has influenced and reflected the world.

American Studies at the UvA has always been interdisciplinary, and it has always encouraged a view of the United States from transnational and comparative perspectives. This has expanded in recent years to a global perspective. Our courses explore the political, cultural, economic and military presence of the United States abroad - both historically and with an eye toward America in the world today. Our field of inquiry spans high culture and mass culture, from intellectual history to the presence of America in popular media.
For these reasons, doing American Studies in Europe is an asset and not a drawback. European views of the US have long been central to American Studies as a field, and the often contrapuntal relationship of Europe and America is a central theme of Atlantic history. Amsterdam - where one encounters American-style modernity in a major European cultural center - is an ideal vantage point.The lecturers come from an extremely broad range of academic backgrounds, thereby ensuring that the courses are highly interdisciplinary. Guided directly by the academic staff, students will write an original thesis, drawing on their own interests and expertise.