The United States Studies Centre coordinates the American Studies program for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Sydney. American Studies is an interdisciplinary major incorporating units of study from the United States Studies Centre and from the departments of Government and International Relations, History, English and Gender and Cultural Studies.

The American Studies program draws on the combined expertise of the United States Studies Centre and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences to offer Australia’s broadest range of undergraduate units focused on the United States, which enables you to develop a critical, multi-faceted understanding of the United States and its global influence.

The Centre also offers a fourth-year honours program.

American Studies coordinator

Dr Rodney Taveira is the Academic Director, Honours, Internships, and Postgraduate Coordinator, and a Senior Lecturer in American Studies at the United States Studies Centre. He teaches across the American Studies program and his research areas include contemporary American fiction, film and television, the interrelation of literature and visual culture, humour, and post-World War II American cultural politics.

Units of study

Our units of study cover a wide range of subject areas from US politics to American comedy, climate change to dissent and protest.

Honours

Upon completing a Bachelor’s degree, students can pursue a year-long research project that involves the production of a thesis.

Meet our faculty


USSC lecturers are some of the highest-rated on campus. With expertise spanning US politics, culture and foreign policy, our academic team will help you add a global perspective to your degree.