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Volume 2 Autumn/Winter 2014

AMERICAN STUDIES AT : A SUPREME TABLE OF CONTENTS ENDORSEMENT

American Studies at Northumbria: A Supreme 1 When the first issue of this Newsletter went to Endorsement press in the summer of 2013, we were eagerly News & Events 3 awaiting our first intake of American Studies un- dergraduates. The England cricket team was also US Ambassador Matthew W. Barzun’s Visit 3 on the verge of retaining the Ashes against Aus- 2014 US History Group: “1964 as a 3 tralia and there was a good deal of optimism about Watershed Year,” May 8-9 the prospects of England’s football team doing Literature, History, and Culture Speakers 4 quite well in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. I think it’s fair to say that the first cohort of American American Studies Staff News 5 Studies students has fared a good deal better than Grant Bidding Success 7 either of those sports teams over the past year! In this Newsletter it is certainly heartening to hear Leverhulme Visiting Professor, 8 Michael Davidson from Marie-Liz Hayton, one of those trailblazing students, that they have enjoyed their first year and Postgraduate News 8 are looking forward to the delights and challenges Early Career Visiting Scholar: Oliver Ayers 9 of a second year when many will spend a semester in the USA. Second year students will also be look- Summer 2014 Conferences: The Presidential 10 History Network and The Global English ing forward to an innovative “Your Graduate Fu- ture” module designed explicitly to convert the North to the Future: Forthcoming American 10 knowledge and skills they acquire in their academic Studies Events and Symposia study into practical, marketable skills and workplace Monographs to Text Books in the Humanities 10 experience. This employability agenda is an impor- The State of Religion in American History 11 tant part of the American Studies BA, where the interdisciplinary nature of the programme encour- th BAAS & the 50 Anniversary of Selma & 11 ages precisely the kind of intellectual flexibility, an- the Voting Rights Act alytical rigour, and excellent communication abilities Spotlight on American Studies Students 11 valued by a wide range of employers. Marie-Liz Hayton 11 While it is still Megan Hunt 12 early days in the American Studies Outreach Events 14 life of the Northumbria Why Study American Studies at Northumbria? 15 American Studies

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initiative, we can already boast one of the UK’s about our American Studies programme is hard to largest constellations of scholar-teachers working in miss. At a symposium organized by Randall US film, history, literature and politics. In Septem- Stephens on “1964: A Watershed Year in American ber 2014 we will also be joined by , History,” eminent historian, currently Paul Mellon Professor of American His- Professor John Dumbrell, publically thanked tory and Master of Clare College at the University Northumbria for assuming a leadership role in the of Cambridge. Tony, an expert on the New Deal, British American Studies community. An American Franklin Delano Roo- literature colleague with sevelt, and southern pol- whom I am working as itics, is widely part of the govern- acknowledged as one of ment’s Research Excel- the most important lence Framework British historians of the exercise (an operation so US of the past 40 years. shrouded in secrecy that I cannot reveal the Tony will join a team of scholar’s name or uni- researchers that is al- versity for fear of ready producing research bloody retribution) re- recognized internation- ferred in awed terms to ally as among the very “Northumbria’s Ameri- Brian Ward and Mary Wilson of The Supremes. best in the field. can Studies miracle.” Nowhere is this prestige Even the US Ambassa- more obvious than in the prizes earned by Henry dor, Matthew Barzun, felt obliged to check out the Knight for his wonderful book, Tropic of Hopes: Cal- developments in American Studies at Northumbria ifornia, Florida, and the Selling of American Paradise, as part of his first trip away from . In Jan- 1869-1929. The excellence of Northumbria’s Amer- uary 2013, Ambassador Barzun, whose grandfather icanists is also reflected in the keynote lectures was a pioneering American Studies given, the conferences and symposia organized or scholar, gave a fascinating talk on the contempo- attended, and the many books and articles they rary US and spent time chatting with our students, have published this year. Our stature is also con- including representatives of a flourishing new firmed by a number of successful bids of external American Studies Society. research funding, most recently a prestigious Early Career Fellowship from the Arts and Humanities While our external reputation as a leading centre Research Council to Mike Cullinane for a project for the study of the US blossoms, much of our on President Theodore Roosevelt. energy over the next few years will doubtless be devoted to undergraduate recruitment in a fiercely In this Newsletter, you will be able to read more competitive market. But we can be proud of the about some of the exceptional research that feeds tremendous work we have already done putting on directly into our undergraduate teaching and which A level workshops, visiting schools and colleges, has sparked a rapid increase in the number of top cultivating ties with local teachers, and supporting quality postgraduate students at both MA and PhD University-wide visit days. Many of those efforts, levels. Megan Hunt, who came to Northumbria like the production of this Newsletter, have been after completing a BA at Kings College, London spearheaded by Randall Stephens and Julie Taylor, and an MA at the , offers and we will do many more of them in 2014-15. a first-hand account of what it is like to do doc- While it will take time to get American Studies- toral level research in American Studies. Northumbria Style onto the radar of secondary level teachers and students, we can be supremely

The buzz among fellow scholars and educators confident that we have an exceptional staff deliver-

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ing an attractive programme that will produce in- formed and highly employable graduates. In a Q & A session with students and staff, Am- bassador Barzun addressed the special relationship And talking of supreme confidence...Myown between the US and the UK, spoke of business highlight of the year was talking to former mem- partnerships between the two countries, described ber of The Supremes vocal group and US Good- will Ambassador Mary Wilson about American Studies at Northumbria. “You mean you have stu- dents up there studying the civil rights movement and soul music? Together?” she asked as she signed my copy of her autobiography and gra- ciously accepted a copy of Just My Soul Responding, my own book about rhythm and blues music and the African-American freedom struggle. “That’s great,” she said, “after all, those aren’t just Ameri- can stories; those are stories that affected and changed the world. They still have relevance for the world today.” Not a bad summary of why American Studies students Josh Buckland and Jenny Molloy with American Studies matters. Ambassador Matthew Barzun, Professor Brian Ward and Chris Sayers. Enjoy the Newsletter! the influence his grandfather Jaques Barzun—a pi- oneer scholar of American Studies—had upon him, and discussed the Obama administration’s do- mestic and foreign policies. Brian Ward, Professor in American Studies Professor Brian Ward, who initiated the visit fol- lowing talks with the US Embassy in 2013, said: “Northumbria has launched the biggest initiative in NEWS & EVENTS American Studies in the UK for more than a gen- eration. A visit from the new Ambassador is a US Ambassador Matthew W. Barzun’s great start in our programme’s inaugural year. And, Visit of course, it is a marvellous opportunity for under- graduate and graduate students who have a keen In February 2014 U.S. Ambassador Matthew W. interest in the politics, history and culture of the Barzun met American Studies students and staff country.” during his first official UK visit outside of the cap- ital. Ambassador Barzun was nominated by Presi- dent to be the US Ambassador to 2014 US History Group: the of Great Britain and North- “1964 as a Watershed Year,” May 8-9 ern Ireland last year. He is an internet pioneer at CNET Networks where he launched The US History Group symposium in May 2014 download.com, which grew to become CNET’s explored America’s social, political and cultural biggest site. He has also led the project to build defining moments of 50 years ago. From The Bea- one of the first comparison shopping sites on the tles’ US invasion and the flourishing of Motown internet, Shopper.Com. The Ambassador has Records to Lyndon Johnson’s landslide presidential served on the boards of many non-profit organisa- victory and the passage of the Civil Rights Act, tions with a focus on education. 1964 was a year of turbulence, struggle and chal-

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lenging of the status quo. 2013 Highlights of 1964: A Watershed Year in US His- 10 October: Michael Davidson (University of Cali- tory included a keynote lecture from Joe Crespino, fornia San Diego), “Missing Bodies: Disappear- Professor of History at Emory University and Ful- ances in the Aesthetic”

14-15 October: Bob Brown Visit & Black Panther Talk

7 November: Victoria Bazin (Northumbria Univer- sity), “The Dial Magazine and the Material Spaces of Modernism”

13 November: Randall Stephens (), “The Religious Roots of Rock Music in the 1950s South”

21 November: Ian Scott (University of Manches- The Beatles perform on the Ed Sullivan Show, City, ter), “Historical Drama or Dramatic History: Oliver 1964. Stone and the Politics of Political Filmmaking”

bright Distinguished Lecturer, University of Tübin- 2014 gen, who delivered a talk entitled, “In Your Heart 19 February: Julie Taylor (Northumbria University), You Know He’s Right: Barry Goldwater, Strom “Making Contact: Affect, Queer Historiography, Thurmond, and the Legacy of 1964.” Kendrick J. and ‘Our’ Djuna Barnes” Oliver, Professor of History at Southampton Uni- versity, gave the other keynote on “The Noise of 20 February: Stephen Mawdsley (University of Creation: Cosmology, Communication, and Com- Cambridge), “‘Salk Hops’: American Teenage Cul- merce in the ‘Long 1964.’” ture and the Promotion of the Salk Vaccine, 1955- 1960” The two-day event also included participants from the University of East Anglia, Durham University, 27 February: Jo Gill (), , and Cambridge University. “Modern American Poetry and the Architectural Imagination” In addition to support from Northumbria, the symposium received generous funds from the Ful- 13 March: David Brown (University of Manches- bright Commission and Press. ter), “British Reactions to the Emancipation Procla- See more at https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com mation” /u/7722256/Programme-1964-Symposium.pdf. 20 March: Oliver Ayers (), “Laboured Protest: Black Civil Rights during the Literature, History, and Culture Speakers New Deal”

History and American Studies sponsored visits to 30 April: Joe Street (Northumbria University), campus by many distinguished and up-and-coming “The Shadow of the Soul Breaker: Solitary Con- scholars in 2013-14. Seminar papers and sessions finement and the Disintegration of Dr. Huey P. benefitted the programme tremendously. These in- Newton”

cluded:

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American Studies Staff News Trust at the British Library); attended a pre-screen- ing of Parkland at the US Embassy London; deliv- Michael Cullinane and Clare Elliott have pub- ered a paper on “JFK and Ireland” at a symposium lished Perspectives on Presidential Leadership: An Interna- on “JFK: Fifty Years On” at the University of Sus- tional View of the White sex; and wrote a piece for BBC History to com- House as part of Rout- memorate the 50th anniversary of the JFK ledge’s Research in Ameri- assassination. Sylvia has also delivered papers to can Politics and schools in Newcastle and Birmingham on “Women Governance series (2014). in the Civil Rights Movements.” The publication includes chapters from presidential David T. Gleeson has delivered several lectures scholars from the UK, and informal talks in the US and the UK on his Ireland and Canada, and recent The Green and the an introduction from Gray: The Irish in the Con- Prof. Iwan Morgan who federate States of America organized the first UK (Chapel Hill: University survey of presidential of North Carolina Press, leadership in 2011. The book takes up from that 2013). A Globe survey, examining the leadership qualities and presi- reviewer praises it an dential ranking game from an international perspec- “eye-opening account. . . tive. The book project began as a conference, . As [Gleeson’s] analysis hosted by Northumbria University, and supported unfolds, there is much by a generous BAAS conference grant. that will surprise, perhaps even unsettle, Boston Sylvia Ellis launched her monograph, Freedom’s readers familiar with the Pragmatist: Lyndon Johnson and Civil Rights abolitionists, the Massachusetts 54th, and the sum- (Gainesville: University mertime encampments of reenactors.” On May 31, Press of Florida, 2013), 2014 Gleeson spoke to the American Civil War at the Institute for the Roundtable UK on “Irish Confederates in 1864.” Americas, University Col- In June David continued his globetrotting, traveling lege London, on 24 Oc- to Athens, GA, to give plenary on “Scotch Irish tober 2013 and has given Confederates” at the Ulster American Heritage several papers on this Symposium. topic at schools and uni- versities. Sylvia has also At the 2014 been involved in a num- British Associa- ber of commemorations tion of American of the JFK Assassination, Studies (BAAS) including being an invited conference at the speaker/participant at an international conference University of on “JFK’s Presidential Heritage” (co-organised by Birmingham in the Kennedy Memorial Trust, the UCL Institute of April, Henry the Americas and the Eccles Centre, and the Paul Knight was an- Mellon Professorial Fund); attended an invitation- nounced as the only lecture by The Rt. Hon. David Miliband on co-winner of the “Britain, America, and Europe: Lessons from Arthur Miller Kennedy” (organised by the Kennedy Memorial Centre First Book Henry Knight at the award ceremony Prize for his in Tallahassee, Florida, March 2014.

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book, Tropic of Hopes: California, Florida, and the Sell- Freaks, Geeks, Outcasts, Losers, Wide-Eyed ing of American Paradise, 1869-1929 (Gainesville: Prophets, Cranks, and Mountebanks,” in Fides et University Press of Florida, 2013). The book ex- Historia (Winter/Spring 2014). Randall has been in- plores the promotion of California and Florida as vited to lead a Masters seminar at Queen’s Univer- semi-tropical states to American tourists, settlers, sity, Belfast, in October 2014. and investors, from the Civil War to the 1920s. Joe Street has obtained Henry was also awarded a book contract from a Gold Medal in the University Press of Florida Book Awards Florida for his forth- “Florida - Non-fiction” coming book, Dirty category for his book. Harry’s America: Clint The event featured also Eastwood, Harry Calla- the Florida Folk Her- han and the Conservative itage Awards, the Backlash. In 2014 he Florida Historic Preser- will see two articles vation Awards, and two published: “Subcultures new inductees into the and Civil Rights: The Florida Artists Hall of Politics of Soul Music Fame—including rock A still from opening scene of Dirty Harry (1971) in Britain” in Anna musician, Tom Petty. Gough-Yates, Bill Os- The Florida Book Awards honour the best work gerby and Matt Worley (eds.), Subcultures, Popular written by Florida authors or about Florida culture Music, and Social Change (Cambridge Scholars, forth- in the previous year. coming); and “Stax, Subcultures and Civil Rights: Young Britain and the Politics of Soul Music in Randall Stephens received a contract for his the 1960s” in Stephen Tuck and Robin D.G. Kelley forthcoming book The Devil’s Music: Christianity and (eds.), The Other Special Relationship: Race and Rights in Rock since the 1950s from Harvard University Press. Britain and America (Palgrave, forthcoming). Street Over the past year he has presented papers on reli- has also presented papers on Dr. Martin Luther gion, race, and popular culture at the University of King to sixth-formers at three separate events for Oslo, Glasgow University, Clare College Cambridge, schools in Newcastle, Durham and Birmingham. Heidelberg University, and the University of East Anglia. At the November 2013 meeting of the Julie Taylor has published “‘Grimly Sentimental’: Southern Historical Association in St Louis Randall Pleasure, Trauma, and Djuna Barnes’s Ryder’ in The gave an invited paper as part of a plenary session Sentimental Mode: Essays in Literature, Film and Televi- roundtable on the career and influence of the his- sion, edited by Jennifer A. Williamson, Jennifer Lar- torian Bertram Wyatt-Brown. The forum will soon son, and Ashley Reed (Jefferson NC: McFarland be published in The Georgia Historical Quarterly. In and Co., 2014), 56-69. Julie also has an article addition Randall was an invited presenter at a Har- forthcoming: “On Holding and Being Held: Hart vard University conference on “Comparative Secu- Crane’s Queer Intimacy,” in Twentieth Century Litera- larization and Innovation in Europe and the United ture (Winter 2014). In the last year she has pre- States.” His paper, “Popular Culture and Pente- sented papers at the 15th annual Modernist Studies costalism: Comparing Britain and the United Association Conference at the States,” will appear in an edited volume. He has and the British Association of American Studies also authored several book reviews in the past year, Conference at Birmingham University. one in the Wilson Quarterly, as well as publishing a short article: “Unbucklin’ that Ole Bible Belt: In September 2013 Brian Ward was invited to

Learning about the Solid Religious South from speak at the German Historical Institute in Wash-

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ington DC at an event to mark the 50th Anniver- nia for his new book project Pacific Reach: California sary of the March on Washington and in April and Hawaii through the Progressive Era. Henry will be 2014 spoke at a special “1964 Anniversary” session using the library’s extensive collections on Hawaii of the Organization of American Historians con- and California from the late 19th and early 20th cen- ference in , Georgia. This year he has given turies. 10 talks on US history topics to A level students in Newcastle, Durham, London, Manchester and Michael Cullinane was awarded a Franklin Delano Huddersfield. His article “Music, Musical Theater, Roosevelt Presidential Library research grant for his and the Imagined South in Inter- work on FDR’s use of Theodore war Britain” appeared in the Feb- Roosevelt in politics and public ruary 2014 issue of the Journal of memory. He has also been granted Southern History. an esteemed AHRC Early Career Fellowship. Mike will be working In March 2014 Mel Waters gave a on a project titled “Memorial Com- research paper entitled “Fashioning munities and Presidential Legacy: Suicide?: Clothes, Morbidity and Remembering Theodore Roo- Confessional Poetry” at the Insti- sevelt.” The central premise of the tute for Advanced Studies in the project is that presidential memorial Humanities, University of Edin- communities are instrumental in burgh. shaping the public memory of U.S. presidents, and these communities Three Northumbria faculty mem- do not operate in a vacuum. They bers will be speaking at this year’s rely on many partners and often re- Transatlantic Studies Association flect the historical and cultural con- conference in Ghent, Victoria text from which they work. To Bazin (Literature), Daniel Laqua demonstrate this, the project takes Theodore Roosevelt bust sculpture (History), and Michael Cullinane with eagle at base, early 20th century. up the study of the Theodore Roo- (History). Courtesy of the Library of Congress. sevelt memorial associations and their partners including park sites, art guilds, social clubs, universities, rotary clubs, and Grant Bidding Success other non-governmental organisations. The national memorial associations mobilised state and local American Studies staff continue to put in major communities after 1919 with the goal of construct- group and individual bids to support research, ing Roosevelt’s posthumous legacy. Over nearly a teaching, and public engagement. century of commemorative activities they played a significant role in how a disparate community of Randall Stephens has received a Lynn E. May, Jr. Roosevelt admirers evolved into a well-organised Study Grant at the Southern Baptist Historical Li- and effective group of campaigners. These associa- brary and Archives, Nashville, Tennessee, 2014-15. tions are important mechanisms for translating the The study grant will assist him in his research for past through sites of memory, political co-option- his forthcoming book, The Devil’s Music: Christianity ing, and popular culture. Mike’s successful bid for and Rock since the 1950s. Randall has also received a this competitive grant speaks very highly of his re- one-month writing fellowship for the book project search and will be a wonderful benefit to the field as at the Wesleyan Center at Point Loma Nazarene a whole as well as the History and American Studies University, San Diego. programmes at Northumbria.

Henry Knight has received a one-month fellowship from the prestigious Huntington Library in Califor-

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Leverhulme Visiting Professor, the two-day 1964 symposium Antony McKenna Michael Davidson (PhD student) presented on “‘Yeah, yeah, yeah...’: The ‘Beatle Menace,’ Americanisation, and British In the first Semester of 2013-14 staff and students Communists” and Megan Hunt (PhD student) de- in American Literature were lucky enough to gain livered a paper on “Remembering Segregation and the expertise of Leverhulme Visiting Professor Activism in 1963-4: The Help and Hollywood’s Civil Michael Davidson, Dis- Right’s Movement.” The latter will be included in a tinguished Professor of collection of essays to be published by Edinburgh Literature at the Univer- University Press. Hunt, McKenna and Alan Symons sity of California, San all presented at the Postgraduate Conference as Diego. Michael’s visit to well. Northumbria was or- ganized by his name- In spring 2014 Brian Langley (PhD student) de- sake, our own Professor livered a paper at the British Association of Nine- Ian Davidson, who se- teenth Century History at Rice University cured external funding (Houston, Texas) on “Southern Claims Commis- from the Leverhulme sion: Narratives of Loyal Dissent.” Trust. Michael is well known for both his in- Jonathan Coburn (PhD student) was awarded the fluential criticism, which John D Lees Prize for 2014 by the British Associa- spans modern and contemporary poetry, literature tion for American Studies. The award will help fi- of the Cold War, gender studies, and disability stud- nance a trip to the US to undertake archival ies, and for his eight collections of poetry. During research for his PhD on Women Strike for Peace his time at Northumbria, he delivered three public activists. Coburn has also been appointed Postgrad- lectures: ‘Missing Bodies: Disappearances in the uate Rep and Communications Officer for the So- Aesthetic’; ‘Living in the same place . . . and differ- ciety for the History of Women in the Americas ent places: Cosmopoetics after Modernism’ (at the (SHAW). SHAW is a scholarly society for historians Literary and Philosophical Society); and ‘The Rage interested in women’s and gender history in the of Caliban: Missing Bodies in Modernist Aesthetics’ Americas, from Alaska down to the Southern (at Newcastle Centre for Literary Arts). On Decem- Cone. Jon’s roles involve representing the postgrad- ber 9th Michael played a central role in Northum- uate community of SHAW, editing the group’s bria’s Third Annual Symposium on Poetry and monthly newsletter and maintaining its social media Poetics, ‘Down the Line: American and British Poet- presence. ics in the Millennium’, organised by Ian Davidson and featuring presentations by Northumbria staff Stephen Bowman (PhD student) has had his D.C. and postgraduates and scholars and poets from Watt award-winning paper, “An Englishman both sides of the Atlantic. The event culminated in Abroad and an American Lawyer in Europe: Harry a terrific poetry reading by Michael Davidson and Brittain, James Beck and the Pilgrims Society dur- renowned New York poet and recent Guggenheim ing the First World War,” accepted for publication recipient Eileen Myles. in the Journal of Transatlantic Studies. This follows the publication of an earlier co-authored article with the same journal on “Interdependence Day Postgraduate News and Magna Charta: James Hamilton’s public diplo- macy in the Anglo-world.” US History seminar sessions and the 1964 sympo- sium enjoyed excellent participation from our Anne Zetsche (PhD student) has had an article, growing ranks of Americanist PhD students. At “The Ford Foundation’s Role in Promoting Ger-

man-American Elite Networking during the Cold

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War,” accepted for publication in the Journal of A King in Newcastle Transatlantic Studies. In 2014, Professor Brian Ward made several ap- In spring 2014 Peter O’Connor successfully de- pearances on television and radio to talk about his fended his PhD thesis: “The Inextinguishable discovery of long-lost footage of a speech Martin Struggle Between North and South,’ American Sec- Luther King made during his 1967 visit to Newcas- tionalism in the tle. On 1 June British Mind Brian appeared in 1832-1865.” Peter A King’s Speech, a presented a paper moving BBC doc- on “‘Who Has umentary based Heard of Polk, of largely on his Pierce, and of work and nar- Buchanan?’ Britain rated by Lenny and the US Presi- Henry. He also dency 1837-1861” discussed King’s at the “Presiden- Tyneside visit on tial Nation: The BBC’s The One Presidency in US Show on 28 May History” confer- and in a pro- ence held at gramme on BBC Northumbria in A movie still from the 1967 film of Martin Luther King’s 1967 Newcastle speech. Radio Newcastle June 2014. He has which was subse- also recently published “: An quently featured as a Pick of the Week on Radio 4. Exceptionally Average President,” in Perspectives on Presidential Leadership: An International View of the Brian discovered the lost footage in 1993 while re- White House, eds., Michael Patrick Cullinane and searching the circumstances surrounding King’s trip Clare Frances Elliott (New York: Routledge, 2014). to Newcastle University to receive an honorary doctorate: “All of the correspondence before King arrived suggested that he would not be expected to Early Career Visiting Scholar: Oliver speak, so the University had made no arrangements Ayers to record him. For years afterwards it was adamant that no footage existed.” In March 2014 Dr. Oliver Ayers of the University of Kent visited Northumbria University as our first However, Brian found hints in the documentation Early Career Visiting Research Scholar in American surrounding the visit that the ceremony and King’s Studies. Oliver’s research focuses on African Amer- impromptu speech may have been filmed for a ican, labour and urban history and the politiciza- local BBC news magazine show. Eventually he tion of understandings of the black freedom tracked down some footage to a can in the New- struggle. During his time at Northumbria, Oliver castle University audio-visual centre, while a broad- taught an undergraduate seminar to history stu- cast fragment, without audio, ended up in the BBC dents, led a postgraduate workshop on the long Regional News Archive. “King’s life and speeches civil rights movement and The Ford Strike of have been so closely scrutinized that it is really rare 1941, and delivered a paper on “Laboured Protest: to come across anything genuinely new,” Brian ex- Black Civil Rights during the New Deal” at the plained. “As a historian of the civil rights move- American Studies Research Seminar. ment, I knew it was probably the find of a lifetime. Of course, that I found it about 400 yards

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from where I worked was an unexpected bonus!” Virginia White Burkett Miller Professor of Politics. Prof. Milkis is among the US’s leading scholars on There has been an amazing international response presidential history and statecraft. to King’s lost words from both the public and celebri- The conference was sup- ties and politicians, including ported by the U.S. Embassy Lenny Henry, David Miliband in London, which recognizes and local MP Chi Onwurah the importance the growing in the UK and Harry Bela- study of executive branch fonte, civil rights legend An- history and the perception of drew Young, and former the presidency abroad. Rout- Supreme Mary Wilson in the ledge publishing, a subsidiary US. “What I like most about of Taylor and Francis, have King’s speech in Newcastle is also supported the conference its timelessness and its uni- and officially launched versal appeal,” Brian ex- Michael Cullinane and plained. “In that magnificent Clare Elliott’s edited collec- voice, he very elegantly lays tion Perspectives on Presidential out the triple evils of racism, Leadership at the event. economic injustice and war which blighted the world in On 17-18th July Tanja Buelt- 1967 and which still blight it mann, David Gleeson, and today.” Don MacRaild hosted “The Global English: Historical Perspectives,” the culminating conference for the Summer 2014 Conferences: The Presi- AHRC-funded “Locating the Hidden Diaspora.” dential History Network and The Global The conference included a free folk music session English and public lecture on “English Music on the Amer- ican Frontier” by Prof William Van Vugt. More in- On 27 June Northumbria University welcomed the formation about the project can be found at first meeting of the Presidential History Network http://www.englishdiaspora.co.uk and http://digital- for a conference to explore the presidency in the community.englishdiaspora.co.uk. United States. Scholars from both sides of the At- lantic met to examine presidents from George Washington to Barack Obama and to consider how the office has inspired scholarly interest, be it in NORTH TO THE FUTURE: FORTH- the job itself, the policies of America’s chief execu- tives, or the personalities. The Presidential History COMING AMERICAN STUDIES Network has recently organized to bring together EVENTS AND SYMPOSIA academic scholars that are interested in the presi- dency to disseminate their research and develop Monographs to Text Books in the Humani- their ideas among peers. Michael Cullinane is a ties founding member, as are Professors Iwan Morgan (UCL), John Dumbrell (Durham), and Mark White On October 15, 2014, Professor Nancy Hewitt and (QMU). Professor Steven Lawson (both at Rutgers Univer- sity) will visit campus and talk about their experi- The conference plenary included a keynote lecture ences of moving from writing scholarly

from Professor Sidney M. Milkis, University of monographs to writing survey textbooks. Although

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geared primarily to historians it is hoped that, this feature a keynote address from the internationally talk will have special interest and appeal to col- renowned journalist Gary Younge. The BAAS con- leagues in other research groups across the Hu- ference will be immediately preceded by a two-day manities and Faculty of Arts, symposium, which will exam- Design and Social Sciences. ine the history and legacy of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, The State of Religion in perhaps the most important American History legislative act in American history. Randall Stephens is cur- rently planning the next US History Group Symposium SPOTLIGHT ON on “The State of Religion in American History,” to be held AMERICAN on March 26, 2015. Partici- STUDIES STUDENTS pants will include Stephens and two leading scholars in Marie-Liz Hayton, BA the field: Matthew Sutton Student (2014-15 Fulbright Chair in American Studies at Heidel- Marie has just completed berg University and Professor the first year of a BA in of History at Washington American Studies at State University) and Paul Northumbria. Harvey (Professor of History at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs). Q: Why did you decide to The American Historical Association reported back do American Studies, and why at Northum- in 2009 that religious history now tops the list of bria? American Historical Association member specializa- tions. That trend has continued since then. Before I actually chose to study at Northumbria because I then it had been cultural history at the top of the used to work here. Seeing how much genuine pas- list. And the numbers are skewed by generation, sion the academic and admin staff had for giving with younger scholars being much more likely to the best possible education inspired me to come work on religious topics. The one-day event will back as a student. My old colleagues at Northum- examine the boom in American religious history in bria were head and shoulders above anyone else the last 10-15 years and will discuss how religious I’ve ever worked with, and I knew I would be in history has begun to change the direction of the the best possible hands here.... field. The intention will also be to publish the pro- ceedings as a roundtable in a leading journal in his- I was intrigued by the American Studies degree, so tory, American studies, or religious studies. I clicked on the description to see what it was all about. Realising that it combined everything that BAAS & the 50th Anniversary of Selma & interested me—history, literature, politics, and the Voting Rights Act America in general—I knew that I’d found the course I’d always wanted to do. Joe Street is organizing the 2015 British Associa- tion of American Studies (BAAS) Conference (60th Q: What do you like best about the degree Anniversary) to be held at Northumbria University programme? in April 9-12. This represents the largest gathering of American Studies scholars in the UK and will The best thing about the degree so far is how well

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designed it is. All the modules dovetail well. For example, we learn about the history of slavery in Q: What advice would you give to someone “From Sea to Shining Sea,” then we get the more considering choosing American personal and literary elements of slave narratives in Studies at Northumbria? “Representing the U.S.,” which in- forms our broader political view I would strongly advise them to of it in “Events and Icons: Lin- go for it. That, and do the read- coln,” and then this all gives us a ing, or else risk the wrath of Dr. good foundation to consider how Joe Street! the repercussions of slavery still exist in “Contemporary America.” Q: What are your future plans Connecting the dots is essential to beyond the degree programme? interdisciplinary study, and show- ing us how to do it through the My goal is to carry on my studies course structure itself is brilliant. after my degree and eventually Good work, Brian and Randall! teach it. Either that, or to get a job at Marvel Comics. I am cur- Q: What aspects of American rently looking into doing an in- culture fascinate you the most? ternship with them next year, which would be fantastic if I can I absolutely adore American pull it off. comic books and cartoons. I think American Studies PhD student they are a fantastic resource for in- Megan Hunt terpreting and illustrating a lot of Megan Hunt, PhD Student the stuff we study. For example, Superman can be used as an exploration of the tension between Megan has just completed the first year of a American values and immigrant cultures. Also, I PhD on the representation of the U.S. South in am secretly six, and superheroes are awesome. post-war cinema under the supervision of Brian Ward and Randall Stephens. As a side note, my biggest disappointment with the course was that I couldn’t do my semester abroad Q: Why did you choose to undertake postgrad- at the University of Illinois, as that’s where Carol uate study at Northumbria? Tilley teaches, who is a world leader in Comics Studies. Northumbria does do an exchange with After completing my MA at the University of them, but only for the Design students. I guess Manchester, I knew that postgraduate study was that a semester just outside of NYC will have to for me. However, Northumbria’s unprecedented in- do instead! vestment in the subject meant that key figures from the department at Manchester were making Q: What parts of the course have you found the move north, and I knew that I would need to most challenging? do the same in order to get the best possible su- pervision team for my project. Learning how to synthesise the interdisciplinary as- pects of the course has been a challenge for me, The university’s investment in American Studies but the tutors have all offered some great advice was very encouraging. Because of the inter-discipli- about this. Brian ran some fantastic sessions where nary nature of my project, I was concerned that we all got together as a group to talk about our es- other universities might slot me within a history or says and offer each other suggestions about areas even a film department, and I was not confident

we could expand or focus on. that this would be a good fit. Northumbria’s com-

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mitment to a diverse American Studies community well-needed element of structure to research, but made me feel instantly at ease. enables students to have lunch and other well- needed social breaks together! The Humanities Q: Tell us about your PhD project. PGR Seminar Series is a great opportunity to find out more about the broad range of research hap- My project explores the relationships between the pening across the department, and American Stud- American South as reality and as a projection, and ies has been well represented, alongside English, presents religion as a key signifier within popular History, and Creative Writing. As I will be organiz- depictions of the region. I note the frequency with ing the series for the upcoming academic year which Hollywood film uses a distinct religious cul- (2014-15) I can guarantee that American Studies ture to represent the South, and in turn promote will continue to forge a prominent role for itself! particular understandings of that region. Q: Has your research involved travel to the US? I examine post-World War II films alongside south- ern history and culture, in an effort to understand This summer I will be travelling to Texas for two religion’s role in Hollywood’s ‘imagined’ South. I weeks research at the Harry Ransom Center, at the argue that stereotypes regarding religion intersect University of Texas, Austin. with the racial and class-based distinctions so im- portant to existing scholarship on the region. My most important case study is Cape Fear (1991), Martin Scorsese’s remake of J. Lee Thompson’s I argue that Hollywood’s performance of white 1962 movie of the same name. In Scorsese’s southern religiosity bolsters an existing sectional bi- movie, villain Max Cady, here played by Robert nary of North/South, constructed by regional po- DeNiro, assumes a Pentecostal fervour that is ab- larities of class, race, gender, education, violence, sent from the same character in Thompson’s film. and religiosity. Building on various cultural myths Robert DeNiro’s papers, held at the Harry Ransom of insularity and perversion, religious fanaticism in- Center, document the conscious ideological judge- dicates the South’s disparity from the wider nation ments that produced the new Max Cady on screen. in films as varied as Inherit the Wind (1960) and Access to DeNiro’s research materials, heavily an- Cape Fear (1991). notated scripts, and correspondence will therefore fundamentally inform my research into the con- Q: PhD research can sometimes seem like a structions of the malignant white religious south- solitary occupation: what is the American Stud- erner in Hollywood film. ies postgraduate community like at Northum- bria? Q: What does a typical week look like for you?

While the cohort of specific American Studies I tend to divide my week between working in Gle- postgraduates is still relatively small, the American namara and working at home. Unless I have meet- Studies seminar series has encouraged many stu- ings, supervisions, or need to use the library, I do dents to make links across the wider department prefer to work at home surrounded by my books and faculty. All seminars offer a great opportunity and films. I am lucky that my two housemates are to socialize with fellow students and staff. out working all day. I tend to follow their structure, and do a full working week, Monday-Friday. How- As members of the wider Humanities PhD com- ever, Glenamara is a great place to work, and pro- munity, American Studies students have great op- vides great opportunities for socializing during portunities. The Glenamara Centre, our shared breaks. I usually work in Glenamara at least two workspace, has fostered many friendships and days a week. shared projects. Many students use Glenamara as a permanent office space, which not only gives a I do think it’s important to maintain a schedule.

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PhD work does allow flexibility, which is great, but AMERICAN STUDIES OUTREACH it is definitely vital to set deadlines for yourself, or following consultation with your supervisors, to en- EVENTS sure that you are working consistently and consci- entiously. I tend to have a couple of chapters or This year American Studies lecturers have visited tasks on the go, so that I can jump between the numerous schools in the north east and beyond to two if I reach an impasse or need a break! talk to pupils about key areas of study in their A Level History, English, and Politics courses. We Q: What have been the highlights of your PhD have also offered insight into how sixth-formers study so far? might pursue their interests in the American experience beyond A Presenting my work at confer- Level through a degree in Ameri- ences has proven greatly reward- can Studies. ing. It’s great to get positive Julie Taylor feedback so early in a project, but In November 2013, it is also important to hear other organized an American History, opinions, and factor peoples’ ques- Literature, and Politics Workshop tions into your work. Questions for AS and A2 pupils at local from other academics can make schools, which featured talks and you think of things you would Q&A sessions on a range of top- never normally have considered, ics, including the Vietnam War, broadening the scope and signifi- the Civil Rights Movement, U.S. cance of your project. Confer- presidential elections, Arthur ences offer a great opportunity to Miller, and the Civil War. In the Randall meet academics whose work you summer of 2014, Stephens respect, and it’s very satisfying to spoke to prospective see your name on the same programme! history and American Studies stu- dents about how to use the history of advertising Q: What advice would you give to someone to explore US history and Brian Ward ran two contemplating a PhD in American Studies at workshops on the Beatles’ 1966 “more popular Northumbria? than Jesus” controversy to show A level students the transnational dimensions of American Studies Ishan Ashutosh Mike I have thoroughly enjoyed my first year at at Northumbria. Brian, and Cullinane Northumbria. The transition to full-time, self- also ran a June event for sixth formers guided research was a little daunting at first, but if working on US politics and civil rights. you have confidence in your project, and genuinely love it, you will settle in to a routine that works for Planned events for 2015 include an initiative to use you. the US campaign for civil and voting rights to raise awareness of issues around citizenship and democ- The community fostered through the Glenamara racy in local schools. Centre is unique, and a great way to make friends. Current projects such as the Humanities Seminar If you would like more information on future out- Series and the Summer Speaker Series are ongoing, reach events, or would like to arrange for a and provide great opportunities to engage with Northumbria American Studies academic to visit wider audiences, which is obviously great for your your school, please contact Julie Taylor (julie.tay-

CV. [email protected]).

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WHY STUDY AMERICAN STUDIES ence. The American Studies programme at Northumbria University will enable you to develop AT NORTHUMBRIA? into this type of graduate. American Studies gradu- ates are attractive to employers in such fields as Intellectually challenging and hugely enjoyable, teaching, publishing, journalism, cultural administra- American Studies is an ideal subject to study at uni- tion, advertising, public relations, the civil service, versity if you want to learn more about American life heritage management, social research, non-govern- and culture, wish to develop your critical, imaginative mental organizations, public history and the Foreign and communication skills, and have an interest in Office. multi- and inter-disciplinary approaches to studying the American experience and its global significances. As part of an innovative, new “Your Graduate Fu- In American Studies at Northumbria University you ture” module many of our students will hone their will receive an excellent education in a friendly envi- employability potential. Here students will build re- ronment, in partnership with an exceptional collec- sumes, refine experience for future careers, and link tion of internationally acclaimed scholar-teachers. their work in American Studies to the job market. Through a variety of lectures, smaller group semi- nars and guided individual study, our staff will help Students also have the opportunity to spend a period you develop your skills, work towards a successful of time studying abroad during their second year. degree and prepare yourself for life beyond the uni- American Studies has established links with a large versity. Our commitment to teaching excellence was number of institutions in North America, including recognized at the Northumbria Student Union’s Stu- the University of Illinois, , dent-Led Teaching Awards for 2013-14, where many the State University of New York, the University of members of the American Studies staff were com- Arkansas at Little Rock, Montclair State University mended for their engaging teaching and overall com- (near to ), York University (Toronto) mitment to their students’ education. and Central Michigan University. This exchange pro- gramme is covered within the existing tuition fee Employment and Study Abroad structure, but in addition Northumbria also offers two competitive Study Abroad bursaries (currently of Many careers require self-motivated, creative and am- £1,000) for outstanding American Studies students bitious individuals with a dynamic skill set. American wishing to study at a North American institution. Studies graduates are especially valued because of their excellent communication skills and ability to For more information on American Studies at think intelligently, critically and laterally as they draw Northumbria, please visit us at: on a wide range of disciplinary perspectives and skills to analyze and interpret the American experi- http://northumbria.ac.uk/americanstudies

Northumbria University American Studies Newsletter, Autumn/Winter, 2014 _ _ _ _

http://northumbria.ac.uk/americanstudies

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