a focus on diachronic developments: We study various aspects of American culture from the colonial period to the present, and we are particularly interested in how history and memory shape contemporary experiences;
a focus on the aesthetic dimensions of literary and cultural artefacts: We study how, for example, narrative perspectives, editing techniques, or color schemes shape meaning, and we are particularly interested in the politics of form, in how certain genres or tropes are tied to specific ideological perspectives;
a focus on the connections between fictional and factual representations: We study not only fiction, poetry, drama, film, and TV shows, but, among others, also pamphlets, sermons, speeches, podcasts, and online posts, and we are particularly interested in the relations and exchanges between these different media and genres;
a focus on interdisciplinary perspectives: For our classes and publication, we draw on research from across the humanities and social sciences, for example, on studies from sociology, political science, or anthropology;
and a focus on comparative approaches: We participate in a number of research projects, for example, on conspiracy theories or climate change, in which we collaborate with colleagues who study other regions and countries. This, in turn, helps us to better understand events and developments in the United States.
