From its inception in the 1930s and 1940s, American studies scholars have debated the definition, purpose and methodology of the field. Early scholarship fomented international recognition of American art, literature, and music, whereas post-Second World War nationalism and Cold War anxieties kindled scholarship that focused on history, policy and the American character. Seeking to interpret the United States to its citizens and to the world, the “myth and symbol” model of American studies linked texts to larger symbolic meanings in US culture. In applying literary criticism and historical analysis, scholars discussed themes, social patterns and institutional configurations that made the United States unique or exceptional.

In the late 1960s and 1970s notions of American exceptionalism were challenged by the Civil Rights movement, feminism and the Vietnam War. American studies embraced and critiqued social science, anthropology, art history folklore, local studies, philosophy, music and psychology. In the early twenty-first century, American studies competes with but is complementary to, other interdisciplinary programs in ethnic studies, women’s studies, gender studies, gay studies, postcolonial studies and cultural studies. The definition of American studies now may include the study of Canada and Latin America, and the field considers their global presence in business, diplomacy and popular culture. These changes are reflected in American Quarterly and American Studies, two of several American studies publications that feature new scholarship, discuss methodology and pedagogy, and link academic study to social change. New technologies are enhancing teaching and research, and offer ways to enhance further the interdisciplinary and international focus of the field.