I chose my course because it let me focus on modern history. I like having an abundant range of primary sources to explore which older time periods of time don’t always offer.

I really enjoyed the modules about cultural history. It became the branch of history that I grew to love the most. My standout option was Dr Matthew Adams’ American Century module. From the first lecture, it took me on a very exciting journey.

Another aspect of my course that I liked was the flexibility to choose modules from other subject areas. I did a few from the English Department. Surprisingly, they were among my favourite options.

For my dissertation, I chose to explore British media history, relating to the Second Red Scare and how it was covered in the United States just after World War II.

Growing up as a Gen-Z Brit, American culture is something I’ve always been exposed to. It was interesting to explore the Anglo-American dynamic during a period I particularly enjoyed learning about. I also wanted to choose a topic that would be relevant to the world of advertising and media, the industry I am entering as I begin my career.

The strategic use of emotion and social concern has long been a central tool for engaging audiences. Understanding the context of how contemporary media sources weaponise the anxieties of the day in their coverage remains highly relevant to communications. I thought studying this from a historical angle would give me greater perspective on how consistent the media’s MO has always been.