Department of Humanities: Courses of Study
 |
American Studies"Exploring the Americas from many angles; seeking to understand the co-existence of diverse races and cultures" |
America is more than the United States
American Studies covers research in the geographical areas of North and South America, and their surrounding regions. This encompasses Canada, the various countries of Central and South America and the islands of the Caribbean Sea, as well as the United States. Two vast continents bounded by two vast oceans provide the setting for our research here at American Studies.
Diversity in Nature and Culture in the Americas
Cast your mind to the natural and cultural landscapes of the Americas. The Rockies and the Andes, whose lofty peaks form the backbone of the continents. The Caribbean Sea, where white sands spread along the shores. The North Pole and Patagonia, both covered in ice. The ancient civilizations of the Maya, the Aztecs, and the Incas, which developed so uniquely. Disneyland, with its dreams and magic. Hollywood, the mecca of movies. The Amazon, where native people are fighting for their lives against environmental destruction. In the Americas, music is flowing everywhere, and it is here that so many modern popular music styles were born, such as jazz, rock, blues, reggae, and folk. Some people might say that it is the home of the Major Leagues or basketball. Others might think of poverty, crime, and clashes between different peoples and races. Each student's interests and concerns differ, and this is, of course, natural. It is not difficult to think of other interesting places, delightful traditions, and interesting themes in this cultural landscape.
Do You Know the Real United States?
Of course, there are many people who are interested in the US, but some people might think that they already know everything there is to know, as it is so often on the TV and in magazines. On reflection, however, we realize that media images are simple glimpses of the surface of American culture. Wouldn't you like to dive beneath the surface, to gain a deeper understanding?
Looking for America
In fact, there is no other place on earth where appearances differ so much from real life as in North and South America and their surrounding regions. Our department has many teachers who have spent considerable time abroad, developing their cross-cultural communication skills; they strive to improve media awareness, so that students can not only understand the stories told by the media, but can perceive which stories remain untold. How about setting off for a trip with such teachers to find the real America?