Movies, McDonald’s, and Mickey Mouse: Hong Kong Student Reflections
Abstract
There are many possible futures for American studies. New Americanists at ease with literary, postcolonial, and cultural critiques of the nation/state have challenged the notion of American exceptionalism and called for a reconfiguration and re-naming of the field.[1] A special double issue of American Studies in 2000 [2] argued for the increased recognition of the significance of globalization theory for American studies and the need to turn more frequently to social sciences scholarship in order to place the U.S. in a global and comparative frame Yetman and Katzman, 6 . Ultimately, university budget cuts may also drive curriculum decisions as many American studies departments/programs look for ways to make courses more practical and skill-based. For example, our program responded to student demands to include business courses in our American studies curriculum. Such a move is not uncommon and increasingly the field will, perhaps more fully embrace non-traditional areas such as business and tourism. In addition to these changes, greater exchange between institutions inside and outside of the U.S. is likely. Increasingly, the future of American studies is to a certain extent – both intellectually and pragmatically speaking - outside of the U.S.
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References
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