American & New England Studies

Ranked among the top American Studies programs in the country, the American & New England Studies Program offers outstanding and innovative graduate programs at both the doctoral and master’s levels. Our faculty provide insight into the form and content of a wide range of American experiences.

The doctoral program is especially strong in social, cultural, and intellectual history; in literary history and theory; in film and media studies; in American painting, architecture, and decorative art, including the vernacular tradition; and in material culture and historic preservation. A student’s individual graduate program may include study with faculty not only from history, English, and history of art and architecture, but also from anthropology, archaeology, economics, philosophy, political science, theological and religious studies, sociology, urban affairs, African American studies, and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies, as well as from the School of Law, College of Communication (including film studies), and Questrom School of Business. The program began more than 50 years ago with an emphasis on New England. Over the last 30 years especially, we have covered all regions of North America, from the colonial period to the present, often with a transnational perspective.

The program also offers the MA in preservation studies and the joint JD/MA in law and preservation studies. Each degree program offers students training through traditional classes and practical professional experience, in individual and class research projects and internships in preservation agencies. Students benefit from faculty expertise in historic preservation, planning, architectural history, archaeology, land use law, and building conservation.