The US Studies Programme of the School of International Studies is one of the oldest Area Studies programmes of the School. Founded by Late Prof. M.S. Venkataramani in early fifties, this programme has consistently attracted large number of students interested in studying various facets of US institutions, political processes and foreign and national security policies. The programme is proud to have produced above two hundred doctoral theses and several hundred M.Phil dissertations.
Faculty of this programme are well known scholars in the field and have considerable international exposure. Their research experience, participation in critical international and national debates on crucial issues involving US policy towards India and its neighbours; and their well rounded knowledge of US Politics and Foreign Policy have enabled them to encourage scholars to study, conduct research and expand their knowledge and understanding of the United States. Alumni of the US Studies programme have found a place in the faculty of various colleges and universities, in the print and audio-visual media and also in different branches of the Indian bureaucracy.
Courses offered by the programme are designed to interpret issues and events in American history, politics, Foreign Policy from an interdisciplinary perspective. It aims at promoting an Indian perspective and has a wide appeal among the students of social sciences and International Relations streams. Students also explore ideas about citizenship, national identity, emerging Role of Indian Diaspora in US politics, while also focusing on how America engages Rising India.
COURSES
Courses are offered at M.A., M.Phil and Ph.D levels. As of today, over 100 Ph.D degrees and over 200 M.Phil degrees have been awarded in American Studies. Courses are inter-disciplinary in nature and aim at educating Indian scholars and equipping them with expertise to analyze politics and governance, public and foreign policies as well as multifaceted social relations in the United States. A balanced approach, comprising of theoretical, empirical and deductive methods, is pursued in the conduct of research programmes and activities.
M.A. Courses
IS 513N Government and Politics of the U.S.A.: K.P. Vijayalakshmi
IS 572N Foreign Policy of the United States since the Second World War: Christopher Raj & Chintamani Mahapatra
IS 598 N Introduction to American Society: Dr. Saumyajit Ray
M.Phil Courses
AW 602 Themes in Contemporary American History: K.P. Vijayalakshmi
AW 617 Executive, Congress and Foreign Policy: K.P. Viiayalakshmi
AW 628 American National Security Policy & Process: Christopher Raj & Chintamani Mahapatra
AW 652 US Policy towards the Asia-Pacific Region: Chintamani Mahapatra
AW 653 Society and Culture in the United States: Dr. Saumyajit Ray
AW 654 The Dynamics of American Society: Dr. Saumyajit Ray
AW 655 Research Methodology: Dr. Saumyajit Ray