American studies

American studies or American civilization is an interdisciplinary field of scholarship that examines American history, society, and culture. It traditionally incorporates the study of history, literature, and critical theory, but also welcomes research methods from a variety of other disciplines.

Scholarship in American studies has most often concerned the United States. In the past decades, however, it has also sought to study other nations and territories in the Americas, as well as American interactions with countries across the globe. Subjects studied within the field are varied, but often examine the histories of American communities, ideologies, or cultural productions. Examples might include topics in American social movements, literature, media, tourism, folklore, and intellectual history.

Fields studying specific American ethnic or racial groups are considered to be both independent of and included within the broader American studies discipline. This includes African American studies, Latin American studies, Asian American studies, American Indian studies, and others.

American Studies (journal)

American Studies is a quarterly peer-reviewed academic journal covering issues broadly concerning American culture and international perspectives. The journal is sponsored by the Mid-America American Studies Association and the University of Kansas. In 2005 the journal merged with American Studies International. The editors-in-chief are Sherrie Tucker and Randal Maurice Jelks (University of Kansas).

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