Why Study American Studies?

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Pictured: Nathaniel Hawthorne Today we’re starting #AMSathome to keep in touch during the lockdown. This week, we’re kicking off with a run-down of five nineteenth century American writers who can teach us a thing or two about isolation! He might not be the most famous reclusive New Englander, but Nathaniel Hawthorne, in his own words, had a “cursed habit of solitude.” In particular, he spent the years between 1825 (when he left Bowdoin College) and 1837 (when he got married) exploring his “natural tendency [...] toward seclusion.” For twelve years he sequestered himself away in a house in Salem with his widowed mother and two sisters while honing his writing skills. Above, a portrait from 1841, after his reemergence into the world. #americanstudies #amsathome #americanliterature #americanhistory

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Merry Christmas from all of us in the Department of American Studies. Signing off for the holidays. #americanstudies #merrychristmas #christmas2017

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Currently celebrating the publication of Nick Grant’s new book, Winning Our Freedoms Together: African Americans & Apartheid, 1945-1960. Out now from University of North Carolina Press! #americanstudies

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On Thursday December 14, we’re delighted to be welcoming Prof Miles Orvell from Temple University. He’ll be talking about: TOO BEAUTIFUL TO BE WRONG: PHOTOGRAPHY, SOCIAL JUSTICE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS SCVA Lecture Theatre, 1-2pm, 14.12.17. All welcome! #americanstudies #photography Image: Walker Evans, 1928-30.

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Happy Birthday Joan Didion. #americanstudies #americanhistory #americanliterature

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Today! 👉 Matt Jones from the University of Toronto will be speaking about: BECOMING SOLDIER: REPLICATING THE WAR ON TERROR ON STAGE. TEC 1.04, 3pm, all welcome! #americanstudies #researchseminar

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Happy Birthday, Mark Twain. Born this day in 1835. #americanstudies #americanliterature #americanhistory #marktwain

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This Thursday we’re delighted to be welcoming Dr Sophie Seita from the University of Cambridge who’ll be talking about the Avant-Garde Little Magazine! Thursday 30 November, Queens 2.03, 3pm. See you there! #americanstudies #americanliterature

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To those who celebrate, Happy Thanksgiving. #americanstudies #americanhistory #americanliterature #thanksgiving #happythanksgiving #turkey #🦃

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