Background

In 1993, graduate students of color in American Studies came together to address recruitment and retention concerns in the Department and University at large. Since 1994, the Department has funded a graduate student position to focus on these issues, inaugurating the organization, Minnesota American Studies Students of Color, better known as Más(s) Color. Más(s) Color, the only departmental graduate student of color organization on campus, is committed to creating an environment that is supportive of students of color and the work they do. Through social, political, and academic activities, the group fosters a thriving community of scholars.

Along with organizing recruitment activities for the Department, Más(s) Color organizes brown bag lecture series, professionalization workshops, and social events. Many members of Más(s) Color are exploring ways to incorporate Ethnic Studies more fully into the body of American Studies scholarship. A continuous and dynamic exchange of ideas within Más(s) Color has contributed to the success of many graduate students of color, and it continues to be a space where students have comfortable and challenging discussions on new directions in American Studies.

Currently, more than forty percent of our graduate students identify as students of color.

Ethnic Studies at Minnesota

Ethnic Studies at the University is at an exciting moment with the continued strength of African American and African Studies and American Indian Studies and the emergent work in Chicano Studies and Asian American Studies. Each department and program has welcomed new faculty to their roster; Chicano Studies recently hired a new chair; while Asian American Studies just began an undergraduate minor degree, with plans to expand. These fields support comparative and interdisciplinary work, and many students in American Studies work closely with faculty in Ethnic Studies departments and programs.

Associate Faculty

Embracing the interdisciplinarity of American Studies at a nationally renowned Department, faculty in other departments from around the University contribute a great deal of support to graduate students in American Studies. Students have the opportunity to invite associate faculty to serve on committees and for informal advising.

Visiting Speakers

Más(s) Color has organized or co-sponsored visits from American Studies-oriented intellectuals from around the country. Recent visitors include:

• George Sánchez (2004)
• Matthew Frye Jacobson (2005)
• Kandice Chuh (2005)
• Philip J. Deloria (2006)