Register
If you haven’t already, register to start contributing news and events, and to search the Member Directory. Registration is free, but only open to current members of the American Studies Association.
Group Members
The following people are members of this group:
The following people are administrators of this group:
Member Tools
We're sorry. You are not yet a member of the International Committee.
Register or login to join this group.
MAIN | Reports | Contact | Contact Members
International Committee
Report from the International Committee 1999
International Conference
We have proceeded with a proposal to the NZ-US Educational Foundation for an international conference to take place in New Zealand in January/February 2001, the proposal is in draft stage as I write this report and is about to be submitted to Fulbright. The location means that there will be an emphasis on the Asia-Pacific region, which in effect means working with Fulbright to bring to the conference Senior Fulbright Scholars in American History and Literature. This year there are 19 such scholars who are at universities or libraries in China, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Philippines, and New Zealand. The Executive Director of NZUSEF expects there to be a comparable number in 2001.
The aims of the conference are: to facilitate collaboration and cooperation between the various national associations of American Studies throughout the world; to assist the continuing development and growth of American Studies as a field; to promote the work of Americanists outside the U.S. and the integration of non-U.S. perspectives into the field; to promote cross-cultural scholarship and understanding; to facilitate the international networking of scholars and American Studies programs; to facilitate scholarly exchanges of both students and faculty, especially those sponsored by the Fulbright Foundation.
It is hoped that the conference will provide an opportunity for representatives of the various national and regional American Studies Associations to meet and discuss initiatives for closer collaboration and consolidation of contacts. This could lead to a memorandum of understanding between associations or a loose federation, but it is not anticipated that a new international association is needed or desired. The strength of the American Studies movement has to date been in national and/or regional associations and it seems preferable to build on these and facilitate closer links between them.
In addition to business meetings to discuss the possibilities of closer international collaboration, there would also be papers, workshops, and roundtable discussions. There would be a conference theme but proposals covering different topics pertinent to the study of U.S. society and culture would be considered. In order to promote cross-cultural study and to bring together multiple national and regional perspectives on U.S. culture, it is proposed that we invite papers that address some aspect of U.S. culture (broadly defined) and examine it both in its original domestic (U.S.) context and in its transplanted context overseas.
Once we know whether we have financial support from Fulbright for this conference, we will be able to examine more closely how the conference should be organized and who should be involved. The aim is to be as inclusive as possible and to consult with various national/regional associations.
Pre-Convention Workshop for International Scholars
Unfortunately, the USIA had already committed their funds when I approached them in March this year to support a pre-convention workshop along the lines of our very successful venture at Washington State University last year. We will try again for the Detroit meeting if there is an American Studies program in the region willing to run it.
International Committee Web Page
The Committee is approaching past Chairs of the IC to assist in preparing a history of the IC for a web page, so that we have an accessible and durable record of its activities. The page will also provide information about current activities and useful contacts and links, thereby raising the profile of the work of the committee.
Quick Links
American Quarterly [official journal site]
American Quarterly [editorial site]