US Studies Units of Study

• Fundamentals of US Studies

• American Exceptionalism
• Contemporary American Media
• Key Issues in American Culture
• US Constitution
• US Economic Policy & Regulation
• US Financial Institutions & Culture
• US Foreign & National Security Policy
• US Politics: Competing Centres of Power

The US Studies postgraduate program is designed to suit each student's professional and intellectual interests.

The following list is not exhaustive and the University of Sydney offers a rich array of units from which to choose. Students are encouraged to create a program, in consultation with the Academic Program Director, that is tailored to their specific needs.

• American Author, American Auteur
• American Film & Hollywood
• American Power: Past & Present
• Cross Cultural Management
• Counterterrorism and Human Rights
• Developing a Research Project
• Dialogue & Public Engagement
• Gender, Media & Consumer Societies
• Globalism, Internationalism & the UN
• International & Global Marketing
• International Business Finance
• International Business Strategy
• Issues in American Thinking
• Literature & Desire
• Literary Journalism
• Media & International Politics
• New Security Challenges
• Political Economy of Peace & Conflict
• Population & Security
• Race & Gender in America
• Religion in American Life
• Research Project in US Studies
• Special Topic in International Security (Civil-Military Relations)
• The American City
• US Corporate Law
• US International Taxation
• US Media Law

Unit Descriptions

American Author, American Auteur - ENGL 6948

Taught in Semester 1, 2008 by Dr David Kelly. Not offered in 2009.

American Film and Hollywood - USSC 6919

This unit explores the relationship between ‘American Cinema’ and Hollywood Cinema. ‘American Cinema’ draws inspiration from and attempts to contribute to cultural movements and contexts that include Hollywood but extend to literature and the visual arts more generally. Hollywood’s power as a cultural sign will be examined in relation to alternative and independent film cultures. This will include not only analysis of feature films but also of writings by filmmakers and theorists. Questions of cinematic subjectivity and authorship will be a focus of the unit.

Taught in Semester 2, Mondays 5-9pm, by Dr Richard Smith.

American Exceptionalism - USSC 6911

This core unit examines the domestic and foreign politics of the United States of America. One of the major themes will challenge the idea that the United States is in some sense ‘exceptional’ and therefore ‘incomparable.’ Indeed, the focus will be on the extent to which we can ‘de-exceptionalise’ the United States and treat it is ‘just another advanced industrial state’ who faces similar problems to everyone else in an ever more globally-integrated political economy. The class will examine how the US and ‘the rest’ have sometimes developed along similar lines, and sometimes developed along quite different lines; politically, economically, and culturally.

Taught in Semester 1 by Associate Professor Dennis Phillips.

American Power: Past and Present
Details forthcoming.

Contemporary American Media - USSC 6915

This core unit overviews current issues in American Media Studies, including the relationship between democracy and media production, theories of media influence, approaches to audience analysis, and trans-national media spheres. It emphasises the diversity of forms, texts and practices that make up the contemporary American media experience and the cultural flows between the US and the rest of the world. Examples include the press, advertising, genre television, narrative cinema, “current affairs”, popular music, radio and gaming and internet cultures.

Taught in Semester 2, Wednesdays 6-8pm, by Dr Catherine Driscoll, Chair of Gender and Cultural Studies.

Cross Cultural Management - IBUS6002, taught in Semester 1 & 2.

Counterterrorism and Human Rights - CISS6011

Taught in Summer School by Associate Professor Louise Chappell.

Developing a Research Project

Dialogue & Public Engagement -GOVT6343

This unit focuses on civic engagement in decision making and provides opportunities to communicate and learn with students, scholars and practitioners across five continents (the unit is taught simultaneously with an American university). It offers a unique combination of intensive face-to-face workshops, 10 weeks of online learning led by a team of international scholars, phone-facilitated, scholar-practitioner dialogues culminating in an assessable capstone project. In summary, it combines scholarly understanding of deliberative democracy with practical experience in public engagement.

Taught in Semester 2, 2009 by Associate Professor Lyn Carson.

Fundamentals of US Studies - USSC 6901

This unit introduces the foundations of the US Studies Program and examines the interplay of major actors and ideas from political, social, and economic spheres. It will familiarise the students with the variegated landscape of The United States of America through analysing contemporary issues using interactive approaches to learning. Students will survey how America’s political framework either engages with or impedes social and economic factors and how these dynamics are reflected in and supported or undermined by the media and artistic expression. Guest lecturers will feature prominently.

Taught in intensive mode in Weeks 1- 4 in Semester 1.
This unit is only offered to candidates in the US Studies program.

Gender, Media and Consumer Societies - WMST 6903

Taught in Semester 1 by Dr Catherine Driscoll, Chair of Gender and Cultural Studies.

Globalism, Internationalism and the UN - HSTY6994

International and Global Marketing - MKTG6013

Taught in Semester 1, Semester 2, Summer and Winter School.

International Business Finance - FIN6013

Taught in Semester 1.

International Business Strategy - IBU6001

Taught in Semesters 1, 2, and Summer School.

Issues in American Thinking - USSC6913

This unit will examine issues in contemporary American thinking. In 2009, students can undertake a supervised project based on various visiting public intellectuals. The project will be supervised by the Academic Project Director and will involve research in relation to guest speakers in University-based lectures and presentations throughout the year, along with reviews of the various presentations and a final report. In 2008, guest speakers included Francis Fukuyama, internationally renowned political scientist, Matt Bai, The New York Times, and Eric Foner, Columbia University. A similar diverse and stimulating array of speakers can be expected in 2009.

Permission is required to enrol in this unit of study. Please contact for further information.

Key Issues in American Culture - USSC 6914

This core unit proposes a week-by-week engagement with some of the defining moments in US cultural history. Working from the premise that ideas in the US are cultural and political acts, the unit constructs a chart of the nation's salient (and often critical) intellectual projections. Blending written texts with works of visual art, high with 'low' culture, the course offers a close encounter with a misunderstood intellectual tradition and shows its relevance to the present.

Taught in Weeks 4 – 13 in Semester 1 by Dr Stephen Robertson, Senior Lecturer in US History, School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry.

Literature and Desire - ENGL6938

Literary Journalism - MECO6906

Please note: This unit has been revised. The main focus is now American literary journalism, contrary to what is stated on the link above.

Media and International Politics - GOVT 6115

Taught in Semester 2 in intensive mode by Professor Rod Tiffen. Not offered in 2009.

New Security Challenges - CISS6001

This unit considers the evolving nature of security in the context of global politics. It focuses on non-military challenges to security while acknowledging the relationships between these and traditional security concerns. Among the topics considered are: international law and security; the privatisation of security; economics and security; energy resources; environmental degradation; the burden of infectious diseases; population dynamics; gender and age perspectives on security; the dilemmas of fragile and failing states transnational organised crime; and new modes of warfare. The overall objective of the unit is to engage with issues and arguments that challenge how security is traditionally understood. Teaching and learning take place via a combination of lectures, student-led seminars, debates and case studies.

Taught in Semester 2, Tuesdays 5-8pm by Dr Christian Enemark. This unit is offered through the Centre for International Security Studies.

Political Economy of Peace & Conflict
Details forthcoming.

Population and Security - CISS6008

This unit considers the importance of demographic factors in international security. It attempts to provide answers to the complex questions regarding how population changes affect security concerns. In particular it examines how population dynamics and characteristics such as growth rates, fertility, mortality, age and ethnic structure might be linked to national and international security. Among topics covered will be key global population trends, differing world population transitions, the significance of resource scarcity and environmental degradation, the role of natural disasters, and the significance of ethnic and religious divisions. Case studies will be presented with respect to how demographics may contribute to undermining the viability of modern states and the importance of population to security considerations in the Asia-Pacific region.

Taught in Semester 2, Thursdays 10am-1pm
This unit is offered through the Centre for International Security Studies.

Race and Gender in America

What difference does it make to look at American history from the margins, by taking into account the perspectives of the powerless: from women to ethnic and racial minorities? Why do so many debates today hinge on disputes over racial, ethnic, or gender issues and identities? And what are the best tools for assessing such debates?

This unit takes a fresh look at American history by focusing on how scholars have analysed the place of non-elites in shaping the past and generating contemporary debate.

Religion in American Life
Details forthcoming.

Research Project in US Studies - USSC 6916

Students will undertake research essay of 6,000 words on an approved topic under the guidance of a supervisor from the Centre for US Studies. Normally, the essay involves deeper study of a subject which the student has already covered in the first semester of his or her program. Entry to this unit is subject to the permission of the Academic Program Director and depends upon the availability of a supervisor from the Centre, the student's existing knowledge in the area, and her or his academic performance in the preceding semester.

Taught in Semester 1, 2 or Summer School.

Special Topic in International Security (Civil-Military Relations) - CISS6011

This unit assesses the nature and effectiveness of civil-military cooperation and coordination in preparing for, responding to, and averting the impact of natural disasters (such as the 2004 tsunami) and conflict, particularly in Australia’s nearer region. The new realities of intra-state conflict and support to fragile states have seen Australia commit increased resources to enhance prospects for stability and reduce population displacement, while promoting economic development and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Students in this unit will examine the nexus between state-centric and human security, as well as the difficulties for military forces and humanitarian actors in navigating the ‘space’ in which they are co-located. Policies, principles and practices of the Australian Government, the United Nations, and other key international actors and non-government organisations will be considered. The unit will also examine issues such as disaster risk-reduction, peace-building strategies, population displacement, and civil-military requirements for population protection, particularly under the Responsibility to Protect framework. The overall aim of the unit is for students to gain a better understanding of the complexities of civil-military relations in disaster and conflict situations, and to examine trends, policies and practices relevant to Australia.

Taught in Semester 2, Thursdays 6-9pm
This unit is offered through the Centre for International Security Studies.

The American City - USSC 6917

This unit explores the idea, image and experience of the city in the United States. It considers key examples of built form, urban planning and urban life through images of the city in art and popular culture. From Edith Wharton’s New York to Martin Scorcese’s via Frank Miller’s Gotham City, and from the collage of Las Vegas to the endless reconstruction of lived space in Second Life, the American city is an influential story about modern life and modern people.

Taught in Semester 2, Wednesdays 4-6pm, by Rowena Braddock

The US Constitution - USSC 6910

This unit examines through a variety of lenses a document which animates nearly all facets of contemporary American life. The US Constitution shapes the contours of speech and media and is constantly tested and reinterpreted by social actors, the judiciary, and political institutions. Many issues faced by foreign businesses or organisations operating in the US have a constitutional dimension.

Taught in Semester 2, Mondays 6-8pm, by Harry Melkonian, who has argued landmark cases before the US Supreme Court.

US Corporate Law
Details forthcoming.

Please note an additional fee applies for this unit.

US Economic Policy and Regulation - USSC 6905

This core unit studies the ways in which economic and regulatory policies and institutions drive the business and social environment in the United States. Macro-economic policy, micro-economic reforms and changes to the legal framework and legal institutions have a fundamental effect on the impetus for research and development, the qualities of domestic and imported goods and services, the incentives for business and social innovations, the extent and fairness of competition, the advancement of employment equity, the quality of education, the improvement of productivity, the attainment of social benefits and social equity, the mechanisms for rapid and equitable information transfer, the minimisation of surveillance and enforcement costs, and the equitable sharing of income and risks within US society.

Taught in Weeks 4 – 13 in Semester 2 by Associate Professor Dick Bryan, Discipline of Political Economy.

US Financial Institutions and Culture - USSC 6904

This core unit is designed to introduce the effects of the way of thinking that dominate the US Corporations and financial markets on US society and business practices. These include the cultural influences of major financial institutions, particularly those of the contemporary investment banking industry and business consulting firms. The theory and practice of financial economics has developed over the past 40 years the extent that it is one of the dominant drivers of life in America, even for those who have no direct contact with financial markets or institutions. The subject will introduce relevant financial theory and study its influence from both rational-economic and critical-political-sociological perspectives.

Taught in Weeks 4 – 13 in Semester 1 by Professor David Johnstone, Chair of Finance. Not offered in 2009.

US Foreign and National Security Policy - USSC 6903

This core unit in US Politics and Foreign Policy will examine US foreign and security policy formulation and implementation throughout the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. It will consider US military policy, foreign economic policy, foreign energy and resource policy, policy on human rights and democracy overseas, and US responses to the proliferation of WMD and terrorism. The unit will conclude by examining US foreign policy in the aftermath of 9/11, the Iraq War, and other contemporary challenges facing the US.

Taught in Semester 2 by Associate Professor Dennis Phillips.

US International Taxation - LAWS6171

Please note an additional fee applies for this unit.

US Media Law - LAWS 6910

Please note an additional fee applies for this unit.

US Politics: Competing Centres of Power - USSC 6902

This core unit examines US domestic politics by analysing the federal structure and separation of powers within the American political system. This understanding will provide an appreciation of the porous nature of US political institutions, offering social actors a variety of venues and opportunities to influence political decision-making. It will examine the factors that make some arenas more open than others and strategies that groups and political actors take to secure or prise open those avenues for change.

Taught in Weeks 4 – 13 in Semester 1 by Dr Betsi Beem, Lecturer, Discipline of Government and International Relations.