American Studies is a quarterly interdisciplinary journal sponsored by the Mid-America American Studies Association and the University of Kansas. With an editorial staff from a number of areas of study, the journal offers provocative perspectives on a variety of issues. Frequent special sections and special issues create a space for a broad discussion on a single topic. Articles on pedagogy inform the American Studies classroom. The book review section aims at keeping readers conversant with contemporary scholarship.
American Studies first appeared in 1959 and has 1,000 current subscribers. In 2005, it merged with American Studies International, and welcomes submissions with an international perspective. This electronic edition provides free access to the back issues of the journal. The most recent three years are available via print subscription only. Supervisors: Randal Maurice Jelks and Sherrie Tucker Address: University of Kansas
Department of American Studies
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1440 Jayhawk Blvd
Lawrence, Kansas 66045
American Studies Journal special issue honoring the 70th anniversary of Mendez v. Westminster (19... more American Studies Journal special issue honoring the 70th anniversary of Mendez v. Westminster (1947)
Mendez v. Westminister (1947) desegregated California schools and was decided in the California federal courts. Gonzalo Mendez along with other Mexican American parents sued on behalf of their children challenging the status of separate Mexican schools in Orange County. The verdict in favor of the plaintiffs was the first ruling in the country against segregation. It also served as a precursor to the more famous Brown v. Board of Education (1954) court case and used many of the social science arguments against segregation that would were later used in Brown. Two months after the ruling California governor Earl Warren (who would later serve as Supreme Court Chief Justice during Brown) signed a bill ending California segregation.
In this special issue the co-editors, Dr. Norma E. Cantú and Dr. Valerie Mendoza, propose to explore the legacy of Mendez by examining Latinx social justice issues historically and in current situations by gathering traditional scholarly essays and the stories of community members–those “on the ground” living these social justice issues. We also welcome approaches to the topic through the arts (visual, poetry, and short fiction, etc.).
For Mexican-origin peoples the post 1947 period marks the coming of age of second-generation immigrants, many of whom served in the military during WWII and nearly all of whom found their “American-ness” questioned. It also marks the bracero era. For those of Puerto Rican heritage, this era marks the beginnings of mass migration to the mainland, and this is a period of significant US involvement in the domestic affairs of Central American nations, which leads to late twentieth century migrations.
For this issue the co-editors envision social justice broadly. Articles may cover immigration, civil rights, and multi-racial space from US or Latin American perspectives. This could include the following:
Immigration and immigrants: policy and personal stories Segregation Incarceration Language Education Afro-Latinos Puerto Rico’s economic crisis Latinx labor rights Wage theft
We invite submissions from scholars, visual artists, and creative writers. Along with your finished piece, attach a brief two- page cv to Dr. Valerie M. Mendoza at vmendoza@ku.edu. Review of submissions will begin September 1, 2016.
Read a PDF of our latest news, to see what we've been up to at AMSJ, and what we are looking forw... more Read a PDF of our latest news, to see what we've been up to at AMSJ, and what we are looking forward to the rest of this year! (including another Summer Reading Issue, and a Special Issue on Ralph Ellison)
Introductory article to our 2008 Special Issue (49.1/2) on Aaron Douglas, by KU English professor... more Introductory article to our 2008 Special Issue (49.1/2) on Aaron Douglas, by KU English professor William J. Harris.
American Studies Journal special issue honoring the 70th anniversary of Mendez v. Westminster (19... more American Studies Journal special issue honoring the 70th anniversary of Mendez v. Westminster (1947)
Mendez v. Westminister (1947) desegregated California schools and was decided in the California federal courts. Gonzalo Mendez along with other Mexican American parents sued on behalf of their children challenging the status of separate Mexican schools in Orange County. The verdict in favor of the plaintiffs was the first ruling in the country against segregation. It also served as a precursor to the more famous Brown v. Board of Education (1954) court case and used many of the social science arguments against segregation that would were later used in Brown. Two months after the ruling California governor Earl Warren (who would later serve as Supreme Court Chief Justice during Brown) signed a bill ending California segregation.
In this special issue the co-editors, Dr. Norma E. Cantú and Dr. Valerie Mendoza, propose to explore the legacy of Mendez by examining Latinx social justice issues historically and in current situations by gathering traditional scholarly essays and the stories of community members–those “on the ground” living these social justice issues. We also welcome approaches to the topic through the arts (visual, poetry, and short fiction, etc.).
For Mexican-origin peoples the post 1947 period marks the coming of age of second-generation immigrants, many of whom served in the military during WWII and nearly all of whom found their “American-ness” questioned. It also marks the bracero era. For those of Puerto Rican heritage, this era marks the beginnings of mass migration to the mainland, and this is a period of significant US involvement in the domestic affairs of Central American nations, which leads to late twentieth century migrations.
For this issue the co-editors envision social justice broadly. Articles may cover immigration, civil rights, and multi-racial space from US or Latin American perspectives. This could include the following:
Immigration and immigrants: policy and personal stories Segregation Incarceration Language Education Afro-Latinos Puerto Rico’s economic crisis Latinx labor rights Wage theft
We invite submissions from scholars, visual artists, and creative writers. Along with your finished piece, attach a brief two- page cv to Dr. Valerie M. Mendoza at vmendoza@ku.edu. Review of submissions will begin September 1, 2016.
Read a PDF of our latest news, to see what we've been up to at AMSJ, and what we are looking forw... more Read a PDF of our latest news, to see what we've been up to at AMSJ, and what we are looking forward to the rest of this year! (including another Summer Reading Issue, and a Special Issue on Ralph Ellison)
Introductory article to our 2008 Special Issue (49.1/2) on Aaron Douglas, by KU English professor... more Introductory article to our 2008 Special Issue (49.1/2) on Aaron Douglas, by KU English professor William J. Harris.
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Mendez v. Westminister (1947) desegregated California schools and was decided in the California federal courts. Gonzalo Mendez along with other Mexican American parents sued on behalf of their children challenging the status of separate Mexican schools in Orange County. The verdict in favor of the plaintiffs was the first ruling in the country against segregation. It also served as a precursor to the more famous Brown v. Board of Education (1954) court case and used many of the social science arguments against segregation that would were later used in Brown. Two months after the ruling California governor Earl Warren (who would later serve as Supreme Court Chief Justice during Brown) signed a bill ending California segregation.
In this special issue the co-editors, Dr. Norma E. Cantú and Dr. Valerie Mendoza, propose to explore the legacy of Mendez by examining Latinx social justice issues historically and in current situations by gathering traditional scholarly essays and the stories of community members–those “on the ground” living these social justice issues. We also welcome approaches to the topic through the arts (visual, poetry, and short fiction, etc.).
For Mexican-origin peoples the post 1947 period marks the coming of age of second-generation immigrants, many of whom served in the military during WWII and nearly all of whom found their “American-ness” questioned. It also marks the bracero era. For those of Puerto Rican heritage, this era marks the beginnings of mass migration to the mainland, and this is a period of significant US involvement in the domestic affairs of Central American nations, which leads to late twentieth century migrations.
For this issue the co-editors envision social justice broadly. Articles may cover immigration, civil rights, and multi-racial space from US or Latin American perspectives. This could include the following:
Immigration and immigrants: policy and personal stories
Segregation
Incarceration
Language
Education
Afro-Latinos
Puerto Rico’s economic crisis
Latinx labor rights
Wage theft
Guidelines for Scholarly Papers: No more than 25 pages double spaced, Times-New Roman size 12 Font, including notes and bibliography. Follow the guidelines for submission found at: https://journals.ku.edu/index.php/amerstud/about/submissions#jag
We invite submissions from scholars, visual artists, and creative writers. Along with your finished piece, attach a brief two- page cv to Dr. Valerie M. Mendoza at vmendoza@ku.edu. Review of submissions will begin September 1, 2016.
(including another Summer Reading Issue, and a Special Issue on Ralph Ellison)
Mendez v. Westminister (1947) desegregated California schools and was decided in the California federal courts. Gonzalo Mendez along with other Mexican American parents sued on behalf of their children challenging the status of separate Mexican schools in Orange County. The verdict in favor of the plaintiffs was the first ruling in the country against segregation. It also served as a precursor to the more famous Brown v. Board of Education (1954) court case and used many of the social science arguments against segregation that would were later used in Brown. Two months after the ruling California governor Earl Warren (who would later serve as Supreme Court Chief Justice during Brown) signed a bill ending California segregation.
In this special issue the co-editors, Dr. Norma E. Cantú and Dr. Valerie Mendoza, propose to explore the legacy of Mendez by examining Latinx social justice issues historically and in current situations by gathering traditional scholarly essays and the stories of community members–those “on the ground” living these social justice issues. We also welcome approaches to the topic through the arts (visual, poetry, and short fiction, etc.).
For Mexican-origin peoples the post 1947 period marks the coming of age of second-generation immigrants, many of whom served in the military during WWII and nearly all of whom found their “American-ness” questioned. It also marks the bracero era. For those of Puerto Rican heritage, this era marks the beginnings of mass migration to the mainland, and this is a period of significant US involvement in the domestic affairs of Central American nations, which leads to late twentieth century migrations.
For this issue the co-editors envision social justice broadly. Articles may cover immigration, civil rights, and multi-racial space from US or Latin American perspectives. This could include the following:
Immigration and immigrants: policy and personal stories
Segregation
Incarceration
Language
Education
Afro-Latinos
Puerto Rico’s economic crisis
Latinx labor rights
Wage theft
Guidelines for Scholarly Papers: No more than 25 pages double spaced, Times-New Roman size 12 Font, including notes and bibliography. Follow the guidelines for submission found at: https://journals.ku.edu/index.php/amerstud/about/submissions#jag
We invite submissions from scholars, visual artists, and creative writers. Along with your finished piece, attach a brief two- page cv to Dr. Valerie M. Mendoza at vmendoza@ku.edu. Review of submissions will begin September 1, 2016.
(including another Summer Reading Issue, and a Special Issue on Ralph Ellison)