BA History and American Studies / Course details

The course deals with one central question: why have Americans been so interested in conspiracy theories? The course provides an overview of the tradition of conspiracism in American culture and politics, from the Declaration of Independence (after the 'all men are created equal' part, there's a long catalogue of suspicions about plotting by the British monarchy), to the Birther Movement (the accusation that Obama is hiding the the truth about his origins). It offers students the chance to explore particular historical episodes and cultural texts in more detail, including fears about the Illuminati, the Red Scares, the Money Power, the Kennedy assassination, ghetto rumours about drugs and AIDS, and 9/11. It looks at a range of source materials from the eighteenth century to the present, including political pamphlets, novels, films, and websites. It also explores each week a different theoretical approach to the topic within the sociology of knowledge.

• To introduce students to the role that conspiracy theories have played in American history and culture;


• To engage critically with a range of different cultural and historical source materials;


• To develop an awareness of the different theoretical approaches to this topic in the sociology of knowledge;


• To foster skills in critical and cultural analysis, and oral and written presentation skills at a level appropriate to final year degree work.

By the end of this course unit, students should be able to:

• Grasp the way that conspiracy has been imagined in American culture from the 18thC to the present;


• Weigh up competing interpretations and arguments; and critically analyse a range of different source materials;


• Research and construct a convincing argument using appropriate methods of scholarly presentation;


• Carry out independent research; critically analyse different kinds of texts; summarise complex arguments; work in groups; contribute to a wiki; present ideas in oral and written communication.

• oral feedback on group presentations and wiki contribution
• written feedback on the analytical commentary mid-way through the course, and on the long essay at the end of the course
• additional one-to-one feedback in office hours

Indicative Reading List

Michael Butter and Peter Knight, eds, Routledge Handbook of Conspiracy Theories (2019)

Anna Merlan, Republic of Lies: American Conspiracy Theorists and Their Surprising Rise to Power (2019)

Jovan Byford, Conspiracy Theories: A Critical Introduction (2011) 

Michael Butter, The Nature of Conspiracy Theories (2020)

Robert Alan Goldberg, Enemies Within: Enemies Within: The Culture of Conspiracy in Modern America (2001)

Mark Fenster, Conspiracy Theories: Secrecy and Power in American Culture (rev. ed. 2008)

Peter Knight, Conspiracy Culture: From the Kennedy Assassination to the “X-Files” (2000)

Kathryn Olmsted, Real Enemies: Conspiracy Theories and American Democracy, World War I to 9/11 (rev. ed. 2019)

Joseph Uscinksi and Joseph Parent, American Conspiracy Theories (2014)