Welcome to Department of American Studies
Storefront Church, Hearne, Texas.
Photo Credit: 2008, Dr. Robert Abzug
American Studies is an area studies program focused on the cultural and intellectual life of the United States of America. Its students analyze the American past and present from the perspectives of several disciplines, learn to synthesize their knowledge, and learn the habit of mind needed for cultural analysis.
Work in American Studies can lead to and enrich a wide variety of careers. Many of our graduate students become teachers and scholars at the college and university level, but significant numbers of both graduates and undergraduates have gone into journalism, radio, TV and film work, museum curating, law, public relations, editing, advertising, government service, secondary school teaching and administration, and creative writing.
Current News
American Studies releases the second edition of its annual newsletter "Main Currents"
The Spring 2008 edition of "Main Currents" features American Studies faculty, alumni and current students.
Associate Professor Julia Mickenberg's New Book to be Released
Professor Julia Mickenberg's new book co-edited with Philip Nel, entitled "Tales for Little Rebels: A Collection of Radical Children's Literature," will be released November 2008. "A rarely discussed aspect of children’s literature—the politics behind, or part, of a books creation—has been thoroughly explored in this intelligent, enlightening, and fascinating account.
Associate Professor Julia Mickenberg to receive Children's Literature Association Book Award
Dr. Mickenberg's "Learning from the Left" has been chosen to receive the Children's Literature Book Award which recognizes outstanding book-length contributions to children's literature history, scholarship, and criticism. She will accept the award at the Children's Literature Association's Annual Meeting on June 14th.
American Studies Masters student wins Best MA Thesis/Report Award
Rebecca Onion wins the Best Thesis/Report Award from the Graduate School and the University Cooperative Society for her MA Report, "Sled Dog Stories: Domestication, Masculinity, and Nationhood in Alaska, 1898-1925."
American Studies Alumnus Receives Distinguished Professorship
Randolph Lewis of the University of Oklahoma Honors College is the recipient of the Robert Glenn Rapp Foundation Presidential Professorship.
American Studies participates in Explore UT
American Studies graduate students hosted a very active booth at Explore UT Saturday March 1st. Children won great prizes and learned about American Studies by playing "This American Life" and "Who's Who in American History?"
American Studies launches its annual newsletter "Main Currents."
The American Studies department is pleased to release the inaugural edition of its annual newsletter. Click above to read.
American Studies undergraduate Jackie Lynch returns from summer intership in NYC
In May, I headed off to New York City for six weeks full of American history. I spent five weeks interning for the Margaret Sanger Papers Project and another week participating in the Gilder Lehrman History Scholars Finalist Program. Needless to say, my time in New York was absolutely amazing! The programs I participated in greatly expanded my knowledge and love of history and further enhanced my research skills.