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.