The Department of American Studies
at Macalester College serves as the academic focal point for
the study of race and ethnicity in a national and transnational
frame. The Department provides an interdisciplinary approach
to the study of racial categories and racialized experiences
in the United States by encouraging close and systematic examination
of a wide range of cultural and political narratives, and
by creating structured opportunities to apply theoretical
concepts in concrete settings of civic engagement.
[Mission Statement]
DEPARTMENT HISTORY
The origins of the Department of American Studies can be
traced back to October 1, 1990, when the Chair of the Board
of Trustees stated that, "the Board is receptive to a
recommendation to increase the size of the faculty for the
purpose of promoting a multicultural curriculum and faculty
in line with Macalester's missions and goals."
[Department History]
Our
web site features an oil painting entitled "The Flag is Bleeding"
by Faith Ringgold.
Ringgold
was born in 1930 in Harlem, New York. She received her B.S.
and M.A. in Fine Arts from the City College of New York. Today,
she is best known for her painted story quilts, which combine
story telling and quilt making with genre painting. Ringgold's
children's book, TAR BEACH, was a Caldecott Honor Book and
won the Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration.
Ringgold
uses her art to voice her opinions on racism and gender inequality.
In 1967, she created a series of paintings, "The American
People," that focused on racial conflict and discrimination.
"The Flag is Bleeding," number 18 in the series, depicts an
African American man standing next to a white couple. Although
the three seem united, the African American man's wound indicates
otherwise.
The
significance of this work is partly about who is represented
in the flag and also about who is missing. Who do you think
is missing, and what do you think Ringgold is trying to say
about America?
Contact us:
American Studies
Macalester College
1600 Grand Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105
CORE AND AFFILIATED FACULTY
Currently, our core faculty are Jane Rhodes,
Dean for the Study of Race and Ethnicity and Chair of the
department, Karin Aguilar-San Juan, Duchess Harris, Dan Gilbert, Eric Redix and Scott Shoemaker. Affiliated faculty can vary by semester and includes: Kendrick Brown, Galo González,
Peter Rachleff, Harry Waters, Jr., Daylanne English, Leola
Johnson, Daniel Trudeau, Lynn Hudson, Corie Hammers, Sun No and Diana Dean.
[Faculty]
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND PUBLIC SCHOLARSHIP
Civic engagement is an essential component of
the American Studies major in the form of a required seminar,
"Where Theory Meets Practice," in the junior year. This course
is generally taught by Professor Karin Aguilar San-Juan (Spring
2005) on the topic “Schools and Prisons.” Public
scholarship entails sharing our training, skills, and interests
as scholars and students with our peers on other campuses
and also with interested members of non-academic communities
in the Twin Cities.
[Civic Engagement]
AMERICAN STUDIES ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The annual American Studies Conference at Macalester College
brings internationally-renowned scholars to campus to present
their work and engage with faculty, staff, students and Twin
Cities residents. The participation of community activists
and cultural workers is crucial to the event’s success.
The conference is held in February to recognize the centrality
of Black History to the American Studies project. The conference
seeks to highlight the links between scholarship, activism,
and civic engagement.
[ American Studies Conference]
STUDENT FAQs
Here are top ten most frequently asked questions
by students about American Studies--and our responses to them.
[ Top 10 Student Questions]
AMERICAN STUDIES DEPARTMENT PROPOSAL
This document offers an in-depth rationale for
the Department, including a discussion of why the College
should support our particular conceptualization of American
Studies at this very important historical moment; provides
a mission statement intended for the College catalogue; and
describes the Department's curricular structure, as well as
the role for faculty and guidelines for governance.
[ Rationale for the Department, Downloadable
as PDF ]
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