The American Studies Association, exists to promote and encourage the
study of American culture--past and present. Membership numbers
approximately 5,000 and is open to all individuals and to cultural or
educational institutions. Chartered in 1951, the American Studies
Association now has more than 5,000 members. They come from many
fields: history, literature, religion, art, philosophy, music,
science, folklore, ethnic studies, anthropology, material culture,
museum studies, sociology, government, communications, education,
library science, gender studies, popular culture, and others. They
include persons concerned with American culture: teachers and other
professionals whose interests extend beyond their speciality, faculty
and students associated with American Studies programs in colleges and
secondary schools, museum directors and librarians interested in all
segments of American life, public officials and administrators
concerned with the broadest aspects of education. They approach
American culture from many directions but have in common the desire to
view America as a whole rather from the perspective of a single
discipline.
