American Studies
American Studies is an interdisciplinary area that focuses on U.S. culture and its relationship to the world beyond its borders. Our dynamic community brings together faculty and students from a variety of disciplines to explore the complex cultural, political, and economic forces shaping the history of the U.S. and the Americas — from the first migrations across the Siberian land bridge to today.
Our Academics
The Department of Social and Critical Inquiry offers several degree options for undergraduate and graduate students:
UConn American studies faculty members bring diverse expertise from fields like history, English, political science, art history, and more. They offer courses that explore topics such as:
- American Utopias and Dystopias.
- Disability, health, and social practice.
- Hip hop, politics, and youth culture.
- Historical memory and memorialization.
- Nationhood and citizenship.
- Popular culture and media.
- Social inequality and struggles for social justice.
- U.S. empire, globalization, and the Americas.
Outreach and Engagement
The American Studies Area brings together UConn scholars from across disciplines to share work and ideas. Each year, we host external speakers, including renowned scholars, writers, and filmmakers, while co-sponsoring events with other campus units. We also organize on-campus conferences and roundtables to foster dialogue.
Beyond UConn, we engage with students and educators by training high school teachers in American Studies pedagogy and certifying them to teach the subject through the Early College Experience program.