2nd International Summer Academy of the Bavarian American Academy

May 13 – 22, 2010 at Wayne State University, Detroit

As a follow-up to the 2009 summer academy "American Studies in a Transnational Perspective: Cultural Mobility and Intercultural Exchange" in Munich, the ten-day seminar of 2010 in transnational American Studies took place at Wayne State University, Detroit coorganized by Wayne State, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, LMU Munich, and the Bavarian American Academy.

The academy presented a series of keynote lectures in American Studies by speakers from Wayne State University, other U.S. universities, and German universities and also discussed individual projects. Detroit featured as one important focus of the seminar, with excursions to culturally relevant sites.
 

Program

The program of the academy was structured into three parts:

1. keynote lectures on crucial issues of modernity, mobility, and displacement
2. work-in-progress presentations by doctoral students (and junior faculty)
3. cultural program: tours of Detroit (River Rouge Assembly Plant, Greenfield Village, Henry Ford Museum, Cranbrook Community, Heidelberg Project, Urban Gardens etc.)

Application

We asked doctoral students and junior faculty working in the field of American Studies on issues of modernity, race, cultural transfer, space, globalization, mobility, migration, and related topics in American culture, history, and geography to apply electronically by March 1, 2010

• with a statement of purpose
• CV
• 2-page project description
• one letter of recommendation

Participants were selected based on the strength of their applications. Acceptance to the summer academy included a full ten-day academic and cultural program, accommodation, and a travel grant. Tuition fee was €150 for all participants.


The event was organized and funded by:

Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg
Wayne State University
Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich
Junior Year in Munich

Photos: ©Bavarian American Academy