The idea of America and the history of the United States: in American Studies, we work with this distinction by drawing from literature, history, philosophy, economics, sociology, political science, cultural studies, and the arts. We shed light on the experiences and cultures of people whose lives are shaped by the United States of America both here and around the world.
American Studies is an international field that embraces a critical orientation to the idea of America while learning about its history. Students examine and illuminate the widest possible range of peoples, experiences, conflicts, artistic expressions, and politics that together produce the complex phenomenon that we call American culture.
Areas of special interest include:
- The environment
- Native American Studies
- African American Studies
- LatinX Studies
- Women's Studies
- Studies in gender and sexuality and in popular culture
Students will think critically about the tropes of American exceptionalism while examining how generations of diverse peoples have demanded full access to the rights and privileges enshrined in the country's founding documents.
Evergreen graduates with an American Studies background have gone on to careers as professors, teachers, librarians, museum professionals, journalists, writers, and in public service.
| Title | Expertise |
|---|---|
| Ackley, Kristina | Native American studies |
| Buchman, Andrew | Music composition |
| Koppelman, Nancy | American studies |
| Proctor, Bradley | U.S. history, African American history, American studies |
| Rognas, Liza | American history, information resources and library science |