American Studies

American Studies at Brown University

Renowned for our transnational approach, innovative research on race and ethnicity and critically and publicly engaged scholarship and courses, the American Studies department at Brown University maintains a broad and comprehensive strength across all fields and specializations.

Established in 1945 as a doctoral program in “American Civilization," we are the oldest interdisciplinary academic unit at Brown and the third oldest American Studies program in the country. We now offer two undergraduate concentrations and two graduate degrees, working principally in two areas: American Studies, and Ethnic Studies,

American Studies

We offer three distinct undergraduate and graduate degrees in American Studies marked by the continuing interest of our faculty and students in the study of race and ethnicity, popular culture, and new avenues in transnational research, exploring the role of the United States in the world and the importance of the world in the United States.

American Studies is an interdisciplinary concentration that is innovative and creative, offering new answers to complex questions about American society, cultures, and experiences.
The American Studies M.A. program is cohort-centered and community-based.
The primary goal of the Ph.D. program in American Studies is to train students to become knowledgeable, engaged, and productive scholars and public humanists.

Upcoming Events