Announcement: The 2013-2014 Departmental Theme Is...

... SECURITY/INSECURITY.Thanks to all of you who participated in the voting process! We appreciate your feedback very much. Look in the coming days for a lengthier discussion of what security and insecurity might mean in American culture and history, and the possibilities for integrating the theme into our classes, events, and social media content.

Announcement: PLEASE VOTE On Our Departmental Theme for 2013-2014!

Last year, the Department of American Studies launched its first annual departmental theme, "DREAM." The theme gives us a way to connect our diverse events (loosely) so that we have a year-long series of conversations. It will provide connection for undergrads across classes and across departmental events (if each class touches on the theme and you attend a movie screening and you see a lecture... then you see how intellectual ideas can cross-fertilize) and will provide creative informal writing, interview, conversational topics, or image production that can go on the blog, the webpage, and elsewhere.This past school year, our blog featured the ways that particular classes treated the DREAM theme, our graduate conference was entitled "Reimagining the American Dream" and explored conceptions of the rags-to-riches narrative within America, and we also offered a film series on the broad theme of public and private dreams.The time has come to select a new departmental theme, and WE NEED YOUR INPUT. Please fill out the form linked here to help us select a theme inspiring the coming year's conversations, events, social media, and classes. And spread the word! We would love to see what you folks are interested in.

Announcement: The End of Austin featured in June 2013 Austin Monthly

Hey folks! We hope that you've been enjoying your summer so far. This morning, we have a bit of good news to share: in the June 2013 issue of Austin Monthly, you can find a half-page feature on The End of Austin. The piece is part of the magazine's 2013 Newcomer's Guide, which includes a whole host of content and information about what newcomers to the city need to know upon arriving here. That's a super important project given that Austin is one of the fastest growing cities in the nation.Neither the article nor the guide seem to be online, but we'll be sure to share links with you if they're published. In the meantime, check out the issue on local newsstands!

Announcement: June Issue of The End of Austin Now Available

We're pleased to share the news that the June issue of The End of Austin is now available at endofaustin.com! With American Studies associate professor Randy Lewis at the editorial helm, the project continues its endeavor to explore Austin's changing identity with fifteen new pieces.This issue features contributions from several UT American Studies affiliates: current graduate students Carrie Andersen, Sean Cashbaugh, and Brendan Gaughen have contributed pieces to the project about the bacchanalia that is South by Southwest, Kim Jong-un and the #WhyAustin Twitter trend, and surplus facilities in Austin. Also featured is Dr. Joel Dinerstein, an alumnus who is now an associate professor of English and the director of the American Studies program at Tulane University.Head over to endofaustin.com and browse awhile!