Program Overview
Comparative American Studies
Interrogating power, exploring social change.
Detail of “The Pastoral or Arcadian State, Illegal Alien's Guide to Greater America,” Enrique Chagoya. Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin College.
Photo credit: John Seyfried
What is American Studies?
More than 40 interviews by students, staff, and faculty as part of the ongoing Latino Lorain oral history project
Student-Curated Digital Projects
Digital humanities projects encourage interdisciplinary work in which students in the Comparative American Studies Program interact with people in various parts of the college as well as community partners in Oberlin, Lorain, and throughout Northeast Ohio.
Education and Social Justice
With a unique history beginning in 1833, Oberlin College works to acknowledge the distinctive cultural identities and histories of those who live, study, and work here while encouraging students to intentionally engage with those whose experiences and perspectives are different from their own.
Undergraduate Research
Ari observes and analyzes patterns of antiblack misogyny in digital spaces like TikTok and Twitter.
Featured Courses
CAST 202
Visible Bodies and the Politics of Sexuality
How does visual culture shape our understanding of sexuality in American society? In this class, students analyze how “mainstream” culture universalizes certain experiences of gender and sexuality, as well as how marginalized groups have used visual representation to contest and subvert these hegemonic ideals.
- Taught by
CAST/GSFS 207
Introduction to Queer Studies
What is queer theory? LGBTQ studies? In this class, students explore LGBTQ history alongside contemporary queer cultural studies. They explore how historical, social, political, and economic systems have shaped and reshaped what it means to be queer or claim queer identity in the United States and abroad.
- Taught by
- KJ Cerankowski
CAST/HIST 318
American Orientalism
How has anti-Asian racism been expressed in America? What is Orientalism in a U.S.-context? Students explore how ideas about “Orientals” shaped understandings of American identity. Topics include Chinese “coolies” during Reconstruction; gender and sexual deviance; wartime representations of Asian enemies; and origins of the Model Minority.
- Taught by
CAST 335
Latinx Oral Histories
Why are interviews useful as a research tool, and how can oral histories deepen how we understand Latinx experience in Northeast Ohio? In this class, students gain background and training in conducting oral histories, collaborate with community partners, and contribute to a growing archive of Latino oral histories in Lorain.
- Taught by
- Gina Pérez
Student Profiles
Truman Scholarship Recipient
Henry Hicks ’21, a comparative American studies and creative writing double major, has been awarded the Truman Scholarship, the premier graduate fellowship in the United States for those pursuing careers as public service leaders.
From Oberlin to Brazil on a Fulbright
At Oberlin, Davíd Zager ’17, a comparative American studies and Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies double major, studied Portuguese language and Capoeira. Now has been awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship for Brazil.
Helping Others Find Their Voice
Country Singer Eli Conley ’08 found his voice at Oberlin as a musician and student of comparative American studies. Now he’s helping LGBTQ singers and carving a space in country music for queer people.
What does Comparative American Studies at Oberlin look like?
Professor Renee Romano leads a First Year Seminar “Racing the Environment.”
Photo credit: Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97
Professor Wendy Kozol hosts a Winter Term trip to local Ohio museums.
Photo credit: Yvonne Gay
The comparative American studies department often collaborates with El Centro Volunteer Initiative, a student-run program connecting students, faculty, and community members with Latinx residents in Lorain through community engagement.
Photo credit: Jennifer Manna
Professors Meredith Gadsby, Gina Perez, and Shelley Lee collaborated on “Sanctuary Practices: Race, Refuge, and Immigration in America,” a StudiOC learning cluster.
Photo credit: Jennifer Manna
