Beginnings of American Studies at Iowa

In 1933 Norman Foerster, director of the School of Letters, proposed a broad plan for graduate study in American civilization, with cooperation from the fine arts, history, the social sciences, philosophy, religion, and education. Winfred Root, chairman of the Department of History, presented Foerster’s plan to the department on April 27, 1933, and a revised plan was adopted on February 6, 1934. As was the national pattern, American studies developed first at Iowa in the areas of literature and history. (In later correspondence, Foerster noted that the development of American civilization as a distinct area of study at Iowa predates similar claims by Yale, Harvard, and the University of Pennsylvania, among others.)

What emerged in 1934, and was first printed in the University Catalog of 1934—36, was a seminar in American civilization, History 211-212, taught by Harrison John Thornton. In addition to general work, each student selected a research topic, which could lead to a thesis in the student’s own department. While this seminar could be cross-listed by other departments, only English chose to do so. Actually, the three dissertations of this period were all written by students from the Department of English: Carlton Culmsee, Leola Nelson Bergmann, and Richard Lillard. Culmsee’s 1940 thesis, “The Rise of the Concept of Hostile Nature in Novelists of the American Frontier,” carried on its title page “The Department of American Civilization.”

1947: Official program status

In 1947 under the chairmanship of Alexander Kern of the Department of English, the program became more formalized, with specific requirements for the BA, MA, and PhD degrees. At that time it became possible to gain the degree either in “English (American civilization)” or in “History (American civilization).” Philip Young (1948), David Owen (1950), and Mary E. Smith (1951) in English, and Seymour Lutzky (1951) in history were the first Ph.D.’s under this expanded system. Only Smith’s dissertation, however, carried “Department of American Civilization” on its title page. In this period an interdepartmental committee administered the program.

Expansions

During the 1960’s, Robert Corrigan, executive secretary and acting director of American Civilization, instituted the Afro-American Studies Program (renamed the African-American World Studies Program in the 1980s) under the aegis of the American Civilization Program, with the aim of attaining high academic standards in this important new area of culture studies at Iowa. Charles T. Davis served as the first director of Afro-American Studies from 1970-72. A program in women’s studies also began in association with the American Civilization Program with Margaret McDowell as first coordinator from 1974 to 1977.

In fall 2010, the undergraduate and graduate faculty and programs in sport studies became a part of the department, with a BA in Sports Studies and a PhD track in Sport Studies added.

History of department chairs

Upon Alexander Kern’s retirement in 1975, Chadwick Hansen became chairman of the American Civilization Program. During 1976-77, following Professor Hansen’s resignation, John Raeburn was appointed acting chair. During Professor Raeburn’s tenure, the size of the faculty of the program greatly increased and the name was changed to the American Studies Program. Albert Stone served as chair from 1977 until 1983, when John Raeburn returned to that position. Upon Raeburn’s appointment as chair of the Department of English in 1985, Stone resumed the chair duties. From 1986 to 1990 the program was chaired by Richard Horwitz. Wayne Franklin was chair from 1990 until 1994. John Raeburn resumed the chair duties yet again in 1994 and was chair until 2000.

In 2000, American Studies officially became a department at the University of Iowa. The first department chair and the first woman chair was Lauren Rabinovitz, who became chair in August, 2000 and served until 2008. Kim Marra succeeded her from 2008-2011; Susan Birrell served as chair in Fall 2011 and again in Fall 2014; Horace Porter served from 2012-2017; Lauren Rabinovitz was chair from 2017-2019; Stephen Warren is the current department chair, beginning summer 2019.

— Written in 1993 by Alexander C. Kern, Professor Emeritus, deceased 1997

History of Native American and Indigenous Studies

The American Indian and Native Studies Program, now NAIS, was established in 1993 with the three-credit course “Introduction to American Indian and Native Studies.” Faculty and guests from American Studies, Anthropology, and Law team taught the popular undergraduate course. Cross-listed courses from other departments expanded the scope of content and allowed students to a obtain a minor or certificate in the program. “Introduction to American Indian and Native Studies” reflected the intent to center the certificate around an interdisciplinary approach to American Indian culture, history, languages, arts, beliefs, political and social organization, economies, and contemporary legal and political problems of Native Americans. Early organizers aimed to help students gain an understanding of issues that impact Indigenous peoples of the Americas and to do “cross-cultural” work which is necessary for professionals in various health, legal, business, and the academy. 

NAIS proudly carries that work forward with specific attention to the Indigenous tribes of the Midwest who have suffered Indian Removal, but maintain a presence, a physical settlement in the case of the Meskwaki people, in Iowa and in the region.