Welcome to the Obama Institute
for Transnational American Studies!
The Obama Institute for Transnational American Studies at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz offers a dynamic and wide-ranging program in both research and teaching for all students interested in topics related to the Americas in a global context.
With a special focus on interculturality, transnationalism, and interdisciplinarity, our expertise lies in the fields of Early American Studies, Indigenous Studies, Life Writing/Life Sciences, Political & Intellectual History, Film & Media Studies, Religion and American Culture, and Materiality.
Contact
Obama Institute for Transnational American Studies
University of Mainz
Jakob-Welder-Weg 20
55128 Mainz
Germany
+49 6131 39-22357
+49 6131 39-29097
Email
May 19 – Guest Lecture: Artists “Selling Out” The Long History of an Idea (and the Short History of a Book) 🗓
Guest Lecture by Ian Afflerbach (University of North Georgia, USA) Artists "Selling Out" The Long History of an Idea (and the Short History of a Book) May 19, 2026, 4.15-5.45 pm, 00.212, Philo II (Jakob-Welder-Weg 20) For a hundred and fifty years, “selling out” has...
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May 7 – Guest Lecture: The Lessons of Banned Books in 21st-Century America 🗓
Guest Lecture by Corinna Norrick-Rühl & Silvia Schultermandl (University of Münster) The Lessons of Banned Books in 21st-Century America May 7, 2026, 6-8pm, P 6 (Philosophicum) The First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech. However, book banning activities have...
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Apr 27 – Discussion: “Navigating Engagement with China: Subnational Diplomacy and United Front Activities in Germany” 🗓
Expert Discussion with Dr. Glenn Tiffert (Stanford U) and Ray Wong (activist, Hong Kong/Germany) April 27, 2026, 2:30-4 pmFakultätssaal (01-185), Philosophicum ************************************************* Navigating Engagement with China:Subnational Diplomacy and...
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Apr 13/Apr 13-17 – Exhibition “History of U.S. Democracy: Looking Back in Uncertain Times” 🗓
Exhibition Opening April 13, 2026, 2:15-3 pmFoyer P2-P5, Philosophicum Exhibition open April 13-17. History of U.S. Democracy: Looking Back in Uncertain Times Posters | Podcasts | Videos | Social Media Posts 250 years after the Declaration of Independence—in times...
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Apply now! “Discover the USA” – Fulbright Summer Program for Bachelor Students 🗓
Für Bachelorstudierende der Geistes- und Sozialwissenschaften an deutschen Universitäten Fulbright Sommerstudienprogramm in den USA: „Discover the USA” an der University of Maryland, College Park vom 21. August bis 19. September 2026 Während des vollfinanzierten...
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Stirling Magazines and Periodicals Research Group Spring 2026
On April 22, 2026, Oliver Scheiding, Sabina Fazli, and Frank Newton will present current research at the Stirling Magazines and Periodical Research Group.
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