Statement from the Faculty of American Studies

August 27, 2018

What is America?

America is local. The scholars and students of the Department of American Studies study locality by engaging with historic and contemporary American Indian communities. America is regional. We consider the role of the diverse American South through our Southern Studies concentration. America is national. We explore the popular cultural forms that have drawn the country together and divided it, historically and currently. America is global. We nurture this approach through our Global American Studies program and our emphasis on Study Abroad opportunities for our majors and minors. America is a story. The folklorists in our department pursue the American narrative as expressed with the spoken word, art, performance, and other means. And American Studies is changing. Our leadership in Digital Humanities nurtures new styles of answering humanities questions. We explore the place, people, cultures, and experiences of America through a coordinated curriculum of American Studies, American Indian and Indigenous Studies, Folklore, Global American Studies, Southern Studies, and Digital American Studies.

Our commitment to interdisciplinary approaches empowers students to value the nation’s complexity by engaging with a variety of historical, literary, artistic, political, social and ethnic perspectives. American Studies graduates gain a comprehension of these dynamics of American culture that prepares them to make a responsible and critical difference in the variety of professions they choose to pursue.

Learn more about our Artist-in-Residence Lonnie Holley here. 

UPDATE: Due to Hurricane Florence, several of our artist-in-residence events were canceled. Please check back soon for details about rescheduled events.

Recent News

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  American Studies Association Names AMST PhD Rachel Gelfand Finalist for Dissertation Prize

  We’re thrilled to share that Dr. Rachel Gelfand, who received her American Studies PhD this past spring, was named a finalist for the American Studies Association’s Ralph Henry Gabriel Prize! The prize is is awarded annually to the best doctoral … Continued

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  Folklore MA Jackson Hall Accepts Position with South Arts

  Please join us in congratulating Jackson Hall, recent Spring 2018 MA Folklore graduate, on his new position with South Arts in Atlanta, Georgia! We know that Hall will do a great job there developing new initiatives that support folk and … Continued

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  Artist-in-Residence: Artist and Art Educator Lonnie Holley

    UPDATES: Unfortunately, due to Hurricane Florence, several of Lonnie Holley’s scheduled events and class visits had to be canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience, but hope to reschedule his residency visits at some point during the academic year. Please … Continued

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  Folklore MA Hannah Herzog Accepts Position with United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

  Please join us in congratulating Hannah Herzog, recent Spring 2018 MA Folklore graduate, on her new position writing original content and helping design an exhibit initiative for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington DC. The exhibit initiative examines race and politics … Continued

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  AMST PhD Elijah Heyward, III Accepts Position at the International African American Museum

  We are thrilled to share that Dr. Elijah Heyward, III, who received his American Studies PhD in May of 2018, will now serve as chief operating officer of the International African American Museum. As Dr. Heyward shared with us over … Continued

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  Check out new Fall 2018 Seminars

  There’s still space available in these seminars for graduates and undergraduates in Folklore and American Studies! Fall 2018 Seminars Be sure to check them out before the semester starts!

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  PhD Candidate Meredith McCoy Wins Newberry Library Research Fellowship

  Please join us in congratulating American Studies PhD Candidate Meredith McCoy on several pieces of wonderful news: She has received a Frances C. Allen Fellowship to research at the Newberry Library in Chicago. She will also be teaching two summer courses on indigenous studies … Continued

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  The Maness Lecture Welcomes Dr. Joseph C. Ewoodzie Jr.

  The Department of American Studies welcomed Dr. Joseph Ewoodzie Jr., Assistant Professor of Sociology at Davidson College, to speak at the 2018 Maness Lecture last night. Dr. Ewoodzie is an expert on the sociology of the formative years of hip-hop … Continued