American Studies

Description: This course examines the key concept of ‘place.’ We will examine the evolution of how a place is understood through geographic inquiry and how the concept has grown to include a variety of experiences, voices, and historical events. Students will explore how being “on” and “with” lands in the Lenape diaspora (which are also claimed by both New York State and the United States at large) builds a relationship and understanding of place. We will also study recent interventions from scholars working in a range of disciplines and geographies, including scholars and practitioners from Native nations around the world.

Key Themes: Place, space, positionality, human-environmental relations, interdisciplinary ecologies, Indigenous geographies, environmental justice