The American Studies Association (ASA) is a scholarly organization founded in 1951. It is the oldest scholarly organization devoted to the interdisciplinary study of U.S. culture and history. 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.
The ASA consists of almost 5,000 individual members along with 2,200 library and other institutional subscribers. 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.
American studies departments, programs, and centers exist around the world.
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.
Chapters
The ASA includes thirteen chapters:
The American Studies Association of Texas
The California American Studies Association
The Chesapeake American Studies Association
The Eastern American Studies Association
The Great Lakes American Studies Association
The Hawaii American Studies Association
The Kentucky-Tennessee American Studies Association
The Mid-America American Studies Association
The New England American Studies Association
The New York Metro American Studies Association
The Pacific Northwest American Studies Association
The Rocky Mountain American Studies Association
The Southern American Studies Association
Publications
The ASA regularly produces several publications including: The American Quarterly (AQ): Published in March, June, September, and December, the Journal's essays engage with important issues in American studies. It is available online to ASA members and through Project MUSE and JSTOR. The ASA E-Newsletter: Published quarterly, this newsletter provides information on programs, publications and opportunities relevant to ASA members, while aiming to promote a broader awareness of the challenges facing the American Studies Community. The Encyclopedia of American Studies: An online database featuring over 750 searchable articles. The ASA claims that the "Encyclopedia of American Studies is the leading reference work for the field."
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." 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.
Prizes and grants
The ASA awards a number of prizes and grants including: Constance Rourke Prize for the best article in American Quarterly Wise-Susman Prize for the best student paper at the annual meeting Yasuo Sakakibara Prize for the best paper presented by a scholar at the annual meeting Ralph Henry Gabriel Prize for the best dissertation in American Studies Lora Romero First Book Publication Prize John Hope Franklin Best Book Publication Prize Angela Y. Davis Prize for public scholarship Mary C. Turpie Prize for teaching, advising and program development in American Studies Carl Bode-Norman Holmes Pearson Prize for outstanding contributions to American Studies.