American Studies Association

{{Short description|Academic association focused on American Studies}} {{Infobox organization | name = American Studies Association | pronunciation = | native_name = | native_name_lang = | named_after = | image = | image_size = | image_alt = | caption = | logo = File:Logo_for_the_American_Studies_Association.png | logo_size = small | logo_alt = | logo_caption = | map = | map_size = | map_alt = | map_caption = | map2 = | map2_size = | map2_alt = | map2_caption = | abbreviation = ASA | predecessor = | merged_into = | successor = | formation = 1951 | founder = | founding_location = | extinction =  | merger = | type = Non-profit organization | tax_id =  | registration_id =  | status = | purpose = Learned society | headquarters = Washington D.C., United States | location = | coordinates = | region_served = | services = | products = | methods = | fields = American Studies, Ethnic Studies, African American Studies, Asian American Studies, Latino/a Studies, Native American Studies, and many other fields | membership = | num_members_year = | language = | owner =  | secretary_general = | leader_title = President | leader_name = Shana Redmond | leader_title2 = Executive-Director | leader_name2 = | leader_title3 = | leader_name3 = | leader_title4 = | leader_name4 = | board_of_directors = | key_people = | main_organ = | parent_organization = | subsidiaries = | secessions = | affiliations = American Council of Learned Societies, National Humanities Alliance | budget = | budget_year = | revenue = | revenue_year = | disbursements = | expenses = | expenses_year = | endowment = | endowment_year = | num_staff = | num_staff_year = | num_volunteers = | num_volunteers_year = | website = {{URL|theasa.net}} | remarks = | former_name = | footnotes = }}

The '''American Studies Association''' ('''ASA''') is a scholarly organization devoted to the interdisciplinary study of U.S. culture and history. It was founded in 1951 and claims to be the oldest scholarly organization devoted to these topics.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://theasa.net/about/history |title=ASA History |author=American Studies Association |access-date=February 3, 2019}}</ref> 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.<ref name = "About">{{cite web |url=http://www.theasa.net/about/page/what_the_asa_does/ |title=What the ASA Does |publisher=American Studies Association |author=American Studies Association |year=2013 |access-date=January 1, 2014}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://theasa.net/about/governance/articles-bylaws#ARTICLE%20I |title=Constitution and Bylaws ARTICLE I: Name and Object |publisher=American Studies Association |year=2013 |access-date=January 1, 2014}}</ref>

American studies departments, programs, and centers exist around the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zXNCShnM1e4w.kKZtStLIYhHw |title=Cartographies of American Studies |author=Mark Rice |access-date=January 1, 2014}}</ref>

==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.<ref name=What_ASA_does>{{cite web |url=http://www.theasa.net/about/page/what_the_asa_does/ |title=What the ASA Does |author=American Studies Association |year=2014 |access-date=January 4, 2014}}</ref>

==Chapters== The ASA includes thirteen chapters:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theasa.net/chapters/ |title=Chapters |author=American Studies Association |year=2014 |access-date=January 4, 2014}}</ref>

*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.<ref name=What_ASA_does /> *''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.<ref name=What_ASA_does /> *''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."<ref name=What_ASA_does />

==Annual meetings==

The annual ASA meeting features speakers and workshops connected to a broad theme important to the field. 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theasa.net/annual-meeting/ |title=Annual Meeting |author=American Studies Association |year=2017 |access-date=February 3, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://theasa.net/annual-meeting/about-meeting/future-annual-meetings |title=Future Annual Meetings |author=American Studies Association |year=2019 |access-date=February 3, 2019}}</ref>

==Prizes and grants== The ASA awards a number of prizes and grants including:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theasa.net/prizes_and_grants/ |title=Prizes and Grants |author=American Studies Association |year=2014 |access-date=January 4, 2014}}</ref> *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.

== Boycott of Israeli academic institutions == {{main|American Studies Association's boycott of Israel}}

In December 2013, members of ASA voted to join the boycott of all Israeli educational institutions.<ref name=ASA_December2013_announcement>{{cite web |url=http://www.theasa.net/from_the_editors/item/asa_members_vote_to_endorse_academic_boycott/ |title=ASA Members Vote to Endorse Academic Boycott |author=American Studies Association |date=December 16, 2013 |access-date=January 1, 2014}}</ref> ASA was strongly criticized and four ASA members, aided by the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, sued the organization but their lawsuit was dismissed.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/02/06/judge-dismisses-lawsuit-opposing-american-studies-groups-support-israel-boycott |title=Judge Dismisses Israel Boycott Case |first=Elizabeth |last=Redden |newspaper=Inside Higher Ed |date=February 6, 2019 |accessdate=February 6, 2019}}</ref> As of 2025, the boycott is ongoing.<ref name="asa2020sep13">{{cite web | title=What Does the Boycott Mean? | website=ASA | url=https://www.theasa.net/what-does-boycott-mean | access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [https://www.theasa.net Official website]

Category:Educational organizations based in the United States Category:Member organizations of the American Council of Learned Societies Category:American studies