THIS FRIDAY: 12th Annual American Studies Conference - American Politics, Culture, and the Arts

The Fairfield University American Studies Program Presents, the 12^th Annual American Studies Conference, American Politics, Culture, and the Arts.

The 12th Annual American Studies conference brings together local artists, creators, and scholars, and an award-winning keynote speaker to explore the ways that the Arts (broadly conceived), have overlapped with and served as sites of political debate and discourse, as well as outlets for cultural expression, critique, and public engagement in the United States. Our participants will guide us in considering how the Arts have and continue to contribute to the ever-evolving idea of America, as a place, a people, and a society.

Friday, April 25, 2025

Alumni House Brennan Room

3 - 4 p.m.            Welcome and Student scholarly panel

4 - 5 p.m.            Roundtable of local Artists and scholars

5 - 6 p.m.            Student scholarly panel

6 - 7 p.m.            Break

7 - 8 p.m.            Keynote Address - God Gave Rock & Roll to You: the Soundscape of Evangelical Activism in the United States & Beyond

Dr. Leah Payne: Associate Professor of American Religious History, Portland Seminary

Author of God Gave Rock and Roll to You: A History of Contemporary Christian Music (Oxford, 2024).

8 - 9 p.m.            Reception featuring the Brian Torff Blues Band

Co-sponsored by the Departments of History, English, Visual and Performing Arts, Politics, and Black Studies

Free And Open to the Public