In the years following WW II, American Studies began as an interdisciplinary approach to the history and culture of the United States.  In the post-Vietnam era, however, students have become more deeply curious about the Western Hemisphere itself - the life of its peoples before the advent of Europeans, the languages and cultures of countries from Antarctica to Tierra del Fuego, the interaction of economies and governments.  We now think of American Studies as legitimately comprising issues and subjects found throughout the Western Hemisphere, broadening our scope and permitting us to see connections beyond national boundaries.

American Studies focuses on issues, problems, topics - and then examines them using methods of study drawn from several disciplines.  For example, one might study country music, using an approach through gender and methods of literary analysis, or examine the history of early mechanization in the US through a study of language and economics.  Interdisciplinary study offers an added dimension to subjects or issues and a lively freedom of approach.

Message From the Director, Bette S. Weidman

More Reasons to Consider the Program (from a letter dated 2007)

The Program

• Program Information and Requirements - from the 2012-2013 Queens College Bulletin
  
  
• Note to Prospective Teachers
  
  
• Faculty
  
  
• Course Cross Listings
  - Spring 2011
  - Fall 2010
  - Spring 2009
  - Fall 2008
  - Spring 2008
  - Fall 2007
  - Spring 2007
  - Fall 2006
  - Spring 2006
  - Fall 2005
  
• Examples of Student Programs and Student Work
  
• Sample Newsletter - March 2000
  
• From the Program's History
  
  
  • Program Description from the 1950-51 Queens College Bulletin         

What's New?

• Black History Month website / Queens College - updated with February 2011 events
  
  
• February 1-3, 2008 "Studies N Black" at the Brooklyn Arts Exchange (special student and low income rates)
  
  
• Publication in the American Indian Quarterly Winter / Spring 2006 of Queens College student work --- as part of courses taught by Professor Weidman (originally published on campus - see cover and first page of that edition)
  • HTML version at http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/american_indian_quarterly/v030/30.1weidman.html
  • PDF version at http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/american_indian_quarterly/v030/30.1weidman.pdf
  • Table of Contents for entire issue:  http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/american_indian_quarterly/toc/aiq30.1.html

Valuable Web Resources You Might Otherwise Miss

• Walt Whitman in Queens
  
  • "Did You Know I Was Your Neighbor?" - December 2, 2005  - January 2, 2006
    *** extended through January 12, 2006 ***
    Exhibit by Queens College, at the Flushing Library of the Queens Borough Public Library, Lower Level, outside the Auditorium
    
    
  • Walt Whitman Garden Dedication / Exhibit - Queens College, July 14, 2005
    
    
• This Little Light of Mine... I'm Gonna Let it Shine - an exhibit sponsored by Queens College; at the Flushing Library, Lower Level; Spring 2006
  
  
• Slavery in NY, NY Historical Society's exhibit, October 7, 2005 through March 5, 2006 
  *** extended through March 26, 2006 ***
  
  
• Diane Bornstein Conference: Crossing Into Queens - Immigrant Experiences Today - at Queens College September 26, 2005

External Links

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