This week, we’re highlighting the American Studies Department’s fabulous undergraduates — both those currently enrolled and recently graduated. Our final feature is of Chase C. Seabourn, who was awarded the University-Wide Endowed Presidential Scholarship for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Q: Why did you decide to major in American Studies?

A: I chose American Studies because this field presented me with the perfect culmination of my interests - Sociology, History, and Culture, to name only a few. I took Intro to American Studies because I had a close friend who was an American Studies major, and I instantly fell in love with the nuance and relevance. American Studies feels like the world spoken in a language of unbridled truth and urgency. I feel as if I am learning about the world in a way that finally makes sense to me—not as just a core subject—but as an exploration into the many facets of human existence in this country.

Q: What are your other majors and how do you see these interests intersecting with American Studies?

A: Initially, I studied Biology and added American Studies as a double major. I am, however, dropping my Biology major simply because I do not need it and do not desire to finish its coursework. I am Pre-Health, and American Studies is the perfect fit for how I approach healthcare. Interrogating the subcultures that influence each and every American differently helps me understand the people I meet on a deeper level. Public health requires empathy and understanding; it requires professionals who are modern people and 3-dimensional.

Q: What have been some of your favorite courses in the American Studies department and why?

A: It’s so hard to pick a favorite course because I’ve genuinely loved every course I’ve taken in this department, but I have to say my three favorites were Preserving Queer History in ATX with Dr. Gutterman, Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives with Dr. Knerr, and Black Political Thought with Dr. Marshall. Dr. Gutterman’s course took me outside of academia and gave me the invaluable experience of oral history with my queer community, an experience I’ll treasure forever. Dr. Knerr’s course helped me analyze social spaces and food cultures in a way that I had never done before. It further opened my eyes to how rich the world is in social tradition. Lastly, Dr. Marshall’s course provided me with such an in-depth learning experience of Black history from probably the most intelligent and well-spoken man I’ve ever had the privilege of meeting. I’ve never been so enamored by and thankful for readings in my life.

Q: What are some of the most important questions you’ve considered and research you've undertaken during your time in American Studies?

A: The two greatest research questions I encountered were independent, and I’m not quite sure I would’ve had the opportunity anywhere else. In Prison Art, Literature, and Protest with Prof. Genovese, I wrote a research paper over necropolitics - the phenomenon of those in power ultimately choosing who is worthy of life and who is worthy of death via the quintessential example of the American prison. Necropolitics have been a potential research point for me for a long time, and I am very grateful to have had the forum to research such a meaningful subject. The other standout research I did was in Dr. Gutterman’s course where I did an oral history interview with Dr. Yolanda Chávez Leyva. I was able to get her meaning of the intersection between queer and Latinx liberation. She is an incredible woman, and it was an invaluably enriching opportunity.

Q: How has your time in American Studies influenced your career goals? How do you think American Studies might influence your next steps after graduation?

A: My time in American Studies has forced me to stare intensely at my future career. Right now, I intend to pursue Psychiatry, a practice that involves patience and letting people guide me to where they’re at in life instead of speaking over them. American Studies introduced me to a bank of knowledge and experiences that will help me practice healthcare in the most ethical and moral way I know how; it sets a standard. Despite this, this department has also inspired me to explore new options for myself like activism through civil law or even becoming a historian. There’s not one avenue I can take where my passion for American Studies won’t be incredibly useful and inspiring. I have loved every second of my time here.