My FYP is an American Studies FYP because....

My FYP is an American Studies FYP because it concerns a subject unique to the United States, namely that of Civil Rights, from the end of slavery to contemporary issues facing Black Americans at the turn of the twenty first century. The question at the heart of this I wish to look at is how have the various theories of how rights/equality being achieved have fared and whether more radical elements have had to (and still have to?) adhere to American white culture to achieve their aims.

A definition by the British Association for American Studies (BAAS) of American Studies explains it "explores the United States through its history, diverse cultures and global rule." My subject draws from the historical, social, political and cultural aspects of America, in particular with an evaluation of the racial/cultural attitudes that existed and perhaps still exist within the nation. My FYP will hopefully address what is 'peculiar' about the United States that has made Civil Rights and African American issues a much debated subject academically both 'at home' and abroad. My study will endeavor to demonstrate whether Black Americans still have to negotiate with the dominant mainstream white culture; for the duality of being African American or Black American whether there is a real chance of obtaining an American Dream or whether to quote Malcolm X is it an "American Nightmare" instead. Autobiography and biography of such people as W E B Du Bois, Booker T Washington and Malcolm X will be assessed for their specific accommodationist/nationalist/separatist views and critical evaluation of these and how their thoughts stand with modern Black Americans; for more contemporary views modern critiques will be looked at from a variety of sources to assess how inclusive they feel in American society today. My FYP therefore shows it is specifically lodged within 'American Studies' and has an interdisciplinary nature.