Transnationalism in Practice: Essays on American Studies, Literature and Religion

Abstract

Transnationalism in Practice: Essays on American Studies, Literature, and Religion, edited by Paul Giles (Edinburgh University Press, 2010), offers a comprehensive exploration of transnational approaches within American studies. Spanning fourteen essays from 1994 to 2009, the volume critically examines how transnationalism has evolved as both theory and practice in academic discourse. The first section introduces foundational concepts, with "Reconstructing American Studies" (1994) offering an early interdisciplinary approach to the field. Giles further delineates between theoretical and practical transnationalism, emphasizing its role in navigating liminal spaces where cultural values intersect and diverge. Key essays like "Post-Liberalism: George Bush and the Internationalization of American Studies" (2005) explore how U.S. identity is shaped within a global context, challenging traditional notions of national culture. The book also investigates transnational dynamics in journal publishing, highlighting institutional shifts that reflect broader academic transformations. Overall, Transnationalism in Practice provides valuable insights into the evolving methodologies and implications of transnational studies in American literature and religion.

(The abstract and keywords were prepared retrospectively for indexing purposes using AI-assisted tools and editorial review, based on the original article. They did not appear in the original publication.)