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

Jan 31 – Guest Lecture “Back to the Future: Reflektionen zu den Übertragungen von zwei antirassistischen Romanen der 1920er Jahre” 🗓

Peter Höyng(Emory University) Back to the Future:Reflektionen zu den Übertragungen von zwei antirassistischen Romanen der 1920er Jahre Jan 31, 2025, 12:15-13:45, 00.212, Philosophicum II (Jakob-Welder-Weg 20) Zusammen mit einem Kollegen hat Peter Höyng zwei Romane...

Jan 20 – Guest Lecture “Pop Art, Activism, and Indigenous Futurism: The Visual Art of Ryan Singer” 🗓

Karsten Fitz(Universität Passau) Pop Art, Activism, and Indigenous Futurism: The Visual Art of Ryan Singer Jan 20, 2025, 16:15-17:45, 02.102, Philosophicum II (Jakob-Welder-Weg 20) Writing against the Western tradition of freezing Native cultures in a long-gone...

Jan 28 – Guest Lecture “Far Right Zines and Gender Activities” 🗓

Alexandra Mehnert(JGU Mainz/Universität Leipzig) Far Right Zines and Gender Activities Jan 28, 2025, 18:15-19:45, P 109a (Philosophicum) The seminar will show perspectives for the research with subcultural print media. For this purpose, Zines will be...

Jan 20 – Guest Lecture “Performing the Archive in Contemporary Testimonial Plays” 🗓

Julia Rössler(Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München) Performing the Archive in Contemporary Testimonial Plays Jan 20, 2025, 10:15-11:45, Fakultätssaal (01-185, Philosophicum) Documentary practices currently proliferate in contemporary drama and theater in the...

Jan 20 – Guest Lecture “Writing In Between: Relationality in Siri Hustvedt’s and Zadie Smith’s Works” 🗓

Christine Marks(CUNY LaGuardia Community College, NY, USA) Writing In Between:Relationality in Siri Hustvedt’s and Zadie Smith’s Works Jan 20, 2025, 10:15-11:45, P 5 (Philosophicum) This talk considers the works of Siri Hustvedt and Zadie Smith, two...

Jan 7, 14 & 21 – Public Student Presentations Advanced Research Seminar “Magazine Studies” 🗓

Public Student Presentations Advanced Research Seminar "Magazine Studies" January 7, 14 & 21, 2025 P 109a (Philosophicum) 6:15–7:45pm We cordially invite anyone interested in Magazine Studies to join one or all upcoming sessions of our Advanced Research Seminar on...