After September 11th did the world change forever? Or has the impact of America's day of terror been exaggerated?

In the run-up to the first anniversary of the attacks, an expert on America at King Alfred's College in Winchester says everything has changed - and nothing.

Dr Jude Davies, who teaches American studies, said: "I think it did change the world because it had a major effect on the relationships of the USA to other countries."

He said 'isolationist' President Bush had to begin 'some surprising bridge building' with Pakistan as well as the Soviet Union to hunt down the terrorist leader, Osama bin Laden, believed to be hiding in Afhganistan. Both countries share a border with Afghanistan.

The aim was to build a coalition against terror - and gain permission to launch military action. But recent events have shown the the USA is still prepared to go it alone, said Dr Davies. For example, possibly embarking on war with Iraq in virtual isolation.

Dr Davies said September 11th also boosted President Bush after a shaky start to his term of office. However, recent opinion polls in the USA show his very high ratings are now beginning to slip as the US economy heads for recession.

"It also changed the world because at least temporarily it drew together militant and violent, anti-American feeling in various parts of the world," he said.

What about its impact on the American civic psyche? The sale of American flags is at an all time high. The stars and stripes hang from many homes, shopfronts and even cranes on building sites. Banners declare: "God Bless America, and God Bless You."

But Dr Davies said this effect had "possibly been exaggerated." He said it was not the first terrorist attack on US soil as there had already been the Oklahoma bombing among others.

He said: "The changes have been quantitative rather than qualitative. It has not transformed how Americans think of themselves and their position in the world but there have been some changes in turning them more inwards and in their communal grief.

"That process of grieving does not necessarily change anything but is more simply people reacting to a historical event. It has not changed them as people, they are just going through the experience."

Finally, what has the effect been on the teaching of American studies at King Alfred's College. The course looks at the globalisation of American culture and anti-American protest.

Dr Davies said September 11th had stimulated more interest in the course and there had been a 'bulge' in applications. The college hosted a government-sponsored conference last May on 9/11 and its impact on the teaching of American studies.