The course provides an overview of the United States to BA students. It is necessary for students of American Studies to be knowledgeable about basic geographical, political, and other cultural features. The course will be divided into two sections. In the first half, the course will introduce students to an old cultural phenomenon, that of American exceptionalism. The term refers to the belief that the British settlers and then, later, the Americans were God’s chosen nation, and they had a special destiny to act out in the world. In the latter half of the course, students will get an introduction to the study of popular culture. It addresses the distinction between high and popular culture, the way postmodernism contributes to critical analysis, and the course will give an insight to students how cultural studies grapple with representations of race and gender.