Through collaborative discussions and student presentations, this workshop seeks to create a forum for interdepartmental interaction and interdisciplinary research projects. We strive to promote the canonical diversity and comparative approaches that have become critical to the analysis of American literatures and cultures. We also investigate thematic, methodological, and pedagogical issues across historical periods within the field of American studies. Workshop sessions reflect the research interests of participants and feature presentations by students and faculty from within and outside the University of Chicago. Past workshop presentations have included literary analysis, investigations into visual culture, and historical recovery projects.