American Studies: A Sad Tale of Academic Decline

[rangerrebew]

American Studies: A Sad Tale of Academic Decline
Dec 28, 2016Charles KupferCharles Kupfer15 Comments


My academic field, American Studies, is the interdisciplinary study of American cultures, past and present. Once it was a vibrant and useful discipline. Today, I’m sad to report, it is a regular source for “What wacky stuff are they up to on campus?” articles and blogs.

These days, when American Studies captures any attention, it’s usually for unfortunate reasons.

Sometimes, a jargon-y article wins an ironic bad writing award. Consider, for example this excerpt from a paper in the Australasian Journal of American Studies:

http://www.popecenter.org/2016/12/american-studies-sad-tale-academic-decline/

[Bigun]

American Studies: A Sad Tale of Academic Decline
Dec 28, 2016Charles KupferCharles Kupfer15 Comments


My academic field, American Studies, is the interdisciplinary study of American cultures, past and present. Once it was a vibrant and useful discipline. Today, I’m sad to report, it is a regular source for “What wacky stuff are they up to on campus?” articles and blogs.

These days, when American Studies captures any attention, it’s usually for unfortunate reasons.

Sometimes, a jargon-y article wins an ironic bad writing award. Consider, for example this excerpt from a paper in the Australasian Journal of American Studies:

http://www.popecenter.org/2016/12/american-studies-sad-tale-academic-decline/

I doubt the author has any idea how bad it really is!

History majors no longer need to take even one course in American history!

http://www.lifezette.com/polizette/gwu-ditches-u-s-requirement-history-majors/

[Smokin Joe]

I doubt the author has any idea how bad it really is!

History majors no longer need to take even one course in American history!

http://www.lifezette.com/polizette/gwu-ditches-u-s-requirement-history-majors/

Do they teach American History, aside from the Perpetually Aggrieved 'Studies' Department?

[Bigun]

Do they teach American History, aside from the Perpetually Aggrieved 'Studies' Department?

If they do it would be a very PC version!  I'll guarantee you that!

[EC]

Good article, thank you.

The comments over there are, unusually, as interesting and educational as the main text.