Does American Studies Have a Credibility Problem?
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| Title: | Does American Studies Have a Credibility Problem? |
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| Authors: | Gutkin, Len (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Chronicle of Higher Education. 2/27/2026, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p. |
| Subject Terms: | *American studies, *College teachers, *Scholarly periodicals, Polarization (Social sciences), Zionism, Antisemitism |
| Geographic Terms: | United States |
| Abstract: | The article focuses on a recent report by the Progressive Policy Institute criticizing the field of American studies for its overwhelmingly radical political stance and one-sided negative portrayal of the United States. The report analyzes the journal American Quarterly and finds that most essays are critical of America, with none presenting a positive view, raising concerns about the field’s capacity for balanced scholarship and civic education. The article also discusses the case of Jemma DeCristo, a University of California at Davis professor suspended after controversial social media posts and whose book reflects the radical rhetoric critiqued in the report. Additionally, it highlights tensions around the treatment of Zionism in academia, citing Columbia University’s antisemitism task force report on campus controversies related to Israel and Zionism. The article suggests that the field’s reliance on polarized ideological language may undermine nuanced and reliable scholarship. [Extracted from the article] |
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| Database: | Education Research Complete |
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| Abstract: | The article focuses on a recent report by the Progressive Policy Institute criticizing the field of American studies for its overwhelmingly radical political stance and one-sided negative portrayal of the United States. The report analyzes the journal American Quarterly and finds that most essays are critical of America, with none presenting a positive view, raising concerns about the field’s capacity for balanced scholarship and civic education. The article also discusses the case of Jemma DeCristo, a University of California at Davis professor suspended after controversial social media posts and whose book reflects the radical rhetoric critiqued in the report. Additionally, it highlights tensions around the treatment of Zionism in academia, citing Columbia University’s antisemitism task force report on campus controversies related to Israel and Zionism. The article suggests that the field’s reliance on polarized ideological language may undermine nuanced and reliable scholarship. [Extracted from the article] |
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| ISSN: | 00095982 |
