American Studies and History

Designed for those interested in the examination of American history and historical studies, this course is located in a department with interdisciplinary strengths that allow for creative approaches to American history.

History is the study of change and continuity over time. In examining the American past, the Department of American and Canadian Studies has strengths in American social, cultural, and political history, including diplomatic history and intellectual history. The department’s strengths also include expertise in race, gender, and sexuality.

Our work reflects and leads a growing transnational agenda and research students are encouraged to think about America in a global context. We have long-standing experience and expertise in supervising PhDs to successful completion.

Particular areas of research specialism include:

African American culture and history

American intellectual history

American labour history

American music and popular culture

American political history

American print culture and book history

Border studies and transnational history

Civil rights and social justice

Crime, prisons and criminal justice

Gender and queer studies

History of feminism and women’s social history

History of U.S. psychiatry

Indigenous culture

Latinx culture

Memory studies

Nineteenth-century American literature and culture

US foreign policy and diplomatic history