The Making of American Studies in Bosnia
Keywords:
American Studies, Bosnia, cultural exchange, 9/11, anthropology, educational partnershipAbstract
This article analyzes the development of American Studies in Bosnia, tracing its origins to the post-9/11 era and the subsequent academic and political discourse that echoed Margaret Mead's wartime anthropological work. The authors argue that the events of 9/11 catalyzed re-evaluating the role of American Studies both within the U.S. and internationally, particularly in Bosnia. The paper explores how the University of Sarajevo and Smith College collaborated to establish the first undergraduate program in American Studies in the Balkans, facilitated by the U.S. Department of State's Educational Partnership Program. Through a blend of personal narrative and academic analysis, the article demonstrates the significance of cultural exchange and applied anthropology in shaping contemporary American Studies. The authors contend that this interdisciplinary approach is essential for addressing pressing global issues and fostering mutual understanding.
(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.)
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