American Studies Association

Last updated
American Studies Association
AbbreviationASA
Formation1951
Type Non-profit organization
Purpose Learned society
Headquarters Washington D.C., United States
Fields American Studies, Ethnic Studies, African American Studies, Asian American Studies, Latino/a Studies, Native American Studies, and many other fields
President
Shana Redmond
Affiliations American Council of Learned Societies, National Humanities Alliance
Website theasa.net

The American Studies Association (ASA) is a scholarly organization devoted to the interdisciplinary study of U.S. culture and history. It was founded in 1951 and claims to be the oldest scholarly organization devoted to these topics. [1] The ASA works to promote meaningful dialogue about the United States of America, throughout the U.S. and across the globe. Its purpose is to support scholars and scholarship committed to original research, innovative and effective teaching, critical thinking, and public discussion and debate.

Contents

The ASA consists of almost 5,000 individual members along with 2,200 library and other institutional subscribers. [2] It publishes the journal American Quarterly at Johns Hopkins University Press. The concerns and activities of the organization are international in scope.

History

The American Studies Association was founded for purposes of

the promotion of the study of American culture through the encouragement of research, teaching, publication, the strengthening of relations among persons and institutions in this country and abroad devoted to such studies, and the broadening of knowledge among the general public about American culture in all its diversity and complexity. [3]

American studies departments, programs, and centers exist around the world. [4]

Officers and governance

Past Presidents of the ASA include Carl Bode (1951–52), Daniel J. Boorstin (1969), Daniel Aaron (1972–73), William H. Goetzmann (1974–75), Janice Radway (1998–99). Recent presidents have included: Curis Marez, Lisa Duggan, David Roediger, Robert Warrior, Kandice Chuh, Roderick Ferguson, and Scott Kurashige (2019-2020).

Membership

Membership is available to any individual with an interest in the study of American culture. Colleges, universities, museums, foundations, societies and other institutions can also be members of the ASA. [5]

Chapters

The ASA includes thirteen chapters: [6]

Publications

The ASA regularly produces several publications including:

Annual meetings

The annual ASA meeting features speakers and workshops connected to a broad theme important to the field. The 2022 meeting will be held from November 3-6 in New Orleans, Louisiana under the theme of "The Roof is on Fire." [7] Recent meetings have been held in Honolulu, Hawaii; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Baltimore, Maryland; Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; Denver, Colorado; Toronto, Canada; Los Angeles, California. [8] [9]

Prizes and grants

The ASA awards a number of prizes and grants including: [10]

Boycott of Israeli academic institutions

In December 2013, members of ASA voted to join the boycott of all Israeli educational institutions. [11] It was the first major American scholarly organization to undertake a boycott of Israel.[ citation needed ] ASA was strongly criticized and four ASA members, aided by the pro-Israeli Brandeis Center, even sued the organization. As of 2020, the boycott is ongoing. [12]

References

  1. American Studies Association. "ASA History" . Retrieved February 3, 2019.
  2. American Studies Association (2013). "What the ASA Does". American Studies Association. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  3. "Constitution and Bylaws ARTICLE I: Name and Object". American Studies Association. 2013. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  4. Mark Rice. "Cartographies of American Studies" . Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 4 American Studies Association (2014). "What the ASA Does" . Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  6. American Studies Association (2014). "Chapters" . Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  7. American Studies Association (2018). "This Year's Meeting" . Retrieved February 3, 2019.
  8. American Studies Association (2017). "Annual Meeting" . Retrieved February 3, 2019.
  9. American Studies Association (2019). "Future Annual Meetings" . Retrieved February 3, 2019.
  10. American Studies Association (2014). "Prizes and Grants" . Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  11. American Studies Association (December 16, 2013). "ASA Members Vote to Endorse Academic Boycott" . Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  12. "What Does the Boycott Mean?". ASA. Retrieved September 13, 2020.