American Studies Program Offices are Moving on March 31, 2026
We are excited to share news regarding the location of the American Studies Program faculty and staff offices. Our campus offices will be closed during spring break, March 23-27 and on Monday, March 30. During this period, Laura Spautz, the American Studies major advisors, will be working remotely. Please email her at lspautz@berkeley.edu to make an advising appointment. As of Tuesday, March 31, 2026, the American Studies Program Offices will be located in the new Undergraduate Academic Building (UAB). Location Transition Details: Current Location: Evans Hall, Second Floor NEW Location: Undergraduate […]
American Studies Alumnus John Rider ’20: Berkeley Law Talk and Networking Opportunity Thursday, 3/19, 1-2 pm
John Rider, American Studies Class of 2020, will return to UC Berkeley to present a paper at Berkeley Law on indigenous rights, land dispossession, and nature preservation. The talk will take place from 1–2 on Thursday, March 19, in 132 Law Building. All are welcome; updated event information is available via this link. Following the talk, John will be available to meet with current American Studies majors to discuss law school, research, writing, graduate study abroad, and other postgraduate possibilities.
For American Studies Majors: New Thesis Research Grants Available
American Studies Thesis Research Grants ($100–$500) are intended to fund students’ independent thesis research. Students must include a specific research question that they hope to answer in their proposals, indicating how the question relates to their Concentration in the major. FALL APPLICATION DEADLINE: November 15, 5:00 pm PT The fall application period opens in mid-September. Funding decisions will be communicated by December 8. SPRING APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 15, 5:00 pm PT The fall application period opens in mid-February. Funding decisions will be communicated by May 1. Thesis Research Grants are […]
American Studies Faculty in the News: Digest
David H. Miller: Spoke at a pre-show talk with the SF Symphony, which was reported on by the Bay Area News Group. Scott Saul’s book Becoming Richard Pryor was referenced by MovieMaker Magazine. Beth Piatote was a judge for an Oregon writing prize, which was mentioned in Oregon Arts Watch. Leigh Raiford: • Her scholarship was quoted in a Prism Reports article on the history of “Negro Election Day” and the long tradition of Black political leadership. • Her contribution to an anthology about June Jordan was cited in a […]
Save the Date: UGIS Spring 2026 Commencement – Monday, May 18, 2026, 2-4 pm, in Zellerbach Auditorium
Registration and guest ticket information will be posted here soon. The ceremony will be livestreamed and recorded with captioning and a video will be posted on this page shortly after the ceremony.
Books by American Studies Faculty Sarah Gold McBride and Leigh Raiford Featured in UC Berkeley News Gift Guide
New and forthcoming titles from Berkeley faculty, staff, students and alumni offer fresh stories, bold ideas and plenty of conversation starters to share at gatherings or savor on your own reading retreat. Story continues here.
American Studies in the News: Phuong Le’s unconventional journey at UC Berkeley unlocked a new passion and career trajectory
Phuong Le graduated from UC Berkeley’s College of Letters & Science with a degree in American Studies (Class of 2022). While that may sound straightforward, her path was anything but traditional. After building a strong academic foundation at Berkeley, personal challenges with her mental health and finances ultimately led Phuong to withdraw from school just shy of graduation in 2017. Over the next five years, Phuong worked tirelessly to overcome these obstacles, which were intensified by the onset and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, this period of uncertainty enabled […]
American Studies in the News: Alumnus T.J. Bollers Featured in the Daily Cal
The Daily Cal has published a profile on T.J. Bollers, American Studies alumnus, current UC Berkeley graduate student, and member of the Bears football team. Bollers, who finished his thesis in Spring, credits his time in American Studies as being crucial to him finding a place at the university and helping shape his future career. Read more here.
New Graduate Profiles on the American Studies website!
Please check out new profiles of American Studies graduates under People/Graduate Profiles.
In Memoriam: American Studies co-founder Don McQuade
It is with great sadness that we bring you news of the passing of Don McQuade, Professor Emeritus of English and former dean of Undergraduate and Interdisciplinary Studies (1989–1995). McQuade was instrumental in the founding of the American Studies program here at Berkeley, helping to establish and find financial support for key aspects of the program, such as regular co-teaching between colleagues affiliated with differing departments and programs. McQuade was born in Brooklyn 1941 and educated at St. Francis College, going on to earn an M.A. and a Ph.D., both in English from […]