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American Studies

Ja'nell Ajani in white, wearing large geometric earrings and a white dress.

Reaching Into the Mind of Jordan Peele

January 27, 2022 by Emily Nielsen

Ja’nell Ajani, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of American Studies, teaches an innovative course that focuses on popular filmmaker and actor Jordan Peele.

class group photo

Free Minds, Free Education

October 23, 2018 by Tori Miller

While higher education is often touted as the cornerstone of a successful and prosperous life, many are left in the dust, unable to afford the tuition or balance the time needed to build that foundation.

Predators Turned Prey

July 21, 2017 by Rachel White

Shark Week brings all sorts of shocking—and horrifying — spectacles to viewers. This year, audiences were promised the first-ever man versus shark swim off, where 23-time gold medalist Michael Phelps will face off against “one of the fastest and most efficient predators on the planet,” a great white. But, perhaps, what’s more shocking is the […]

talking to group in living room

Department of American Studies Receives $100K Endowment to Support Food Studies Research

March 18, 2014 by Jessica Sinn

The Dallas Chapter of Les Dames D’Escoffier (LDEI) has awarded UT Austin’s Department of American Studies a $100,000 Presidential Fellowship to support graduate research in Texas, women and food culture. Over the past six years, the Department of American Studies has been developing a reputation for being a leader in the emerging field of food […]

American Studies Alumnus Captures Ann Richards’ Spirit in New Biography

December 5, 2012 by Jessica Sinn

When Ann Richards delivered the keynote address of the 1988 Democratic National Convention she instantly became a media celebrity and triggered a rivalry that would alter the course of American history. In “Let the People In: The Life and Times of Ann Richards,” author Jan Reid, a writer-at-large for Texas Monthly magazine, draws on his long friendship […]

graphic stating "in memorium"

In Memoriam: Spring 2011

May 27, 2011 by Jessica Sinn

Norval Glenn, professor emeritus of sociology, who taught for 47 years at the university, died Feb. 15. He was 77 years old. A prominent scholar of family sociology, Glenn wrote extensively on marriage and divorce, aging and the life course, and methods and survey data analysis. In 2008, he co-directed the first nationally representative sample […]

cover of A Nation of Speachifiers

Awards & Honors: Spring 2010

May 21, 2010 by Michelle Bryant

The Silver Spurs, the student service organization that cares for Bevo, gave out its 21st annual Endowed Teaching Fellowship awards to four liberal arts professors, who each receive a $6,000 prize. The group surprises each recipient with an unannounced presentation. They are: Kirsten Belgum (Germanic Studies) Robert Moser (Government) Elizabeth Engelhardt (American Studies) Lisa Moore […]

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