Welcome to the North American Studies Program
Dedicated to the transdisciplinary and comparative study of the United States and Canada, the North American Studies Program provides an innovative space of inquiry into theories and practices of culture, transatlantic relations, and processes of globalization. In both research and teaching, we focus on the interplay of political and economic structures with literary and cultural forms and discourses, the dynamics of race, class, gender, and sexuality, and the interrogation of North America in a global context. Our distinctive strengths are in such areas as literary and cultural theory, Native and Indigenous studies, gender studies and feminist critique, environmental studies, visual culture studies, the intersections of law and culture, and dialogues between cultural studies and the natural sciences.
Established in 1990 as a joint venture of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, the North American Studies Program ranks as one of the best places in Germany to study and do research in the field and has gained an outstanding reputation for its conferences, guest lectures, and lecture series on issues of North American and cultural studies. We foster the education of students who wish to think broadly, work independently, and pursue innovative research projects. Our faculty members are experts in literary and cultural studies, political science, and economics and also include visiting scholars. In addition, students profit from our close cooperation with colleagues in the fields of history and postcolonial studies at the University of Cologne and from our long-standing alliances with U.S. and Canadian universities.
Lecture Series of the North American Studies Program |
in cooperation with the Amerika Haus NRW e. V., the Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung (bpb), and the Deutsch-Kanadische Gesellschaft e. V. (DKG)
While the protagonists of the 2024 and 2020 U.S. presidential election remain the same, the geopolitical framework as well as the cultural and economic climate – in the U.S. as well as globally – have shifted considerably during the last four years.
Accordingly, whether Joe Biden or Donald Trump will make the race to the White House in November 2024 does have a distinct impact on the shape of transnational relations, communication, and cooperation.
Engaging the issues driving the 2024 presidential election from multiple perspectives, this lecture series offers a platform for interrogating the complexities of a momentous democratic decision fraught with consequences.
Location (if not announced differently):
Rabinstraße 8 | 53111 Bonn | seminar room 8
See all events of the Lecture Series of the North American Studies Program here.
More Events
"Indigenous People from North America Tell Their Stories"
Prof. Dr. Sabine N. Meyer, co-director of the North American Studies Program, functioned as a scientific advisor for the German publishing house Carlsen, supporting them with the publication of the Indigenous-authored monograph Indigenous People from North America Tell Their Stories by Eldon Yellowhorn and Kathy Lowinger (in German: Indigene Menschen aus Nordamerika erzählen, Carlsen, 2024). This book, aimed at German children ages 10 and up, provides a lively insight into the contemporary lives, knowledges, and histories of the Indigenous people of North America. Check it out
WDR Radio Broadcast on the History of the Statue of Liberty with Prof. Trautsch as Expert
On August 5, 1884, the cornerstone for the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty was laid. On the occasion of the 140th anniversary of this event, the West German Broadcasting Service (WDR5) aired a radio show, in which the fascinating history of America’s most iconic monument is analyzed and which features an interview with Professor Trautsch.
Here you can listen to the history podcast on the Statue of Liberty:
The North American Studies Department welcomes Professor Bryan Wagner as a visiting scholar funded by a Lessenich fellowship
The North American Studies Department is pleased to welcome Professor Bryan Wagner as a visiting scholar funded by a Lessenich fellowship. Professor Wagner will be researching and teaching in Bonn in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Sabine N. Meyer in June and July.
Bryan Wagner is Professor in the English Department and affiliated faculty in the American Studies Program, Folklore Program, and Center for the Study of Law and Society at the University of California, Berkeley.
Job Advertisement: Senior Lecturer Economics
The Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms University of Bonn is looking for a new position to be filled starting October 1, 2024, for a period of four years:
Senior Lecturer ("Akademische/r Oberrätin/Oberrat") (m/f/d) for North American Studies | Economics
Application deadline is May 17, 2024.
"Entangled Lives, Entangled Freedom(s)" - Talk by Prof. Meyer at the University of Texas at Austin, USA
On February 26, 2024, Prof. Sabine N. Meyer, Co-director of the North American Studies Program at the University of Bonn, gave a lecture on "Entangled Lives, Entangled Freedom(s): The Transformative Potential of Contemporary Black Indigenous Literature" at the University of Texas at Austin, USA.
Panel Discussion with Former Members of Congress
On October 24, 2023, the North American Studies Program of the University of Bonn together with its cooperation partners had the pleasure of hosting former members of the U.S. House of Representatives Val Demings and Luke Messer.
Ambassador's Award 2023
The US Ambassador’s Award is making its return in 2023 following a several-year hiatus.
Next application phase for our M.A. in North American Studies:
May 13, 2024 until September 2, 2024 (for the winter term 2024/25)
Contact
Nordamerikastudienprogramm
Institut für Anglistik, Amerikanistik und Keltologie
Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
Rabinstraße 8
D-53111 Bonn
office@nap-uni-bonn.de
Phone: +49-(0)228-73-1836
Fax: +49-(0)228-73-9674