Hampshire College

American Studies is an interdisciplinary investigation of history, literature,
politics, and culture in the United States and larger Americas in an
increasingly complex, interconnected world. American Studies is a form of
critical citizenship. Students are encouraged to draw from a range of
disciplines in their efforts to analyze and interpret America’s past and
present. We believe that the study of the United States must be pushed into a
hemispheric context and global context, positioning the U.S. against as well as
exploring its links to Asia; Canada and Latin America; the Caribbean; and
Europe. We weigh the significance of empire in "our" history. We ask students
to ponder the significance of diaspora, migration, and globalization, or the
cross-border flows of people, information, and commodities, for national
cultures and nationalism. We develop interdisciplinary methodologies that
encourage a careful, critical reflection on the meaning of the terms "United
States," "America," and "American." American Studies no longer borrows
exclusively from English and history, but also incorporates approaches and
ideas from, for instance, anthropology; religion; critical theory and
philosophy; folklore; ethnomusicology; visual studies and art history; gender;
ethnic and race studies; film and media studies; and the study of other
languages and literatures, thus forging fresh and creative syntheses. We seek
to prepare students to become literate, critical, and creative thinkers;
effective writers; and responsible citizens in an increasingly complex world.