This is an introductory collection of essays for anyone interested in investigating the concept of the "American Dream". Each essay covers a different aspect of this broad field of study including some mandatory references and extensive additional bibliography for further studies in the area.
CONTENTS:
Chapter One
The American Dreams: A Brief Historical Outline
Chapter Two
The Dream at the End of the Rainbow: The American Dream and Queer Issues in the United States
Chapter Three
The Critique of the American Dream on Television: A Case-study of The Simpsons
Chapter Four
Americans Abroad: Misconceptions about the US in Latin America
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: R. C. MIGUEZ holds a PhD and an MA in Cultural Studies and Literature. He has had extensive training in US Studies sponsored by the US State Department and the Fulbright Commission. He also holds a Certificate in US Studies from the Steinhardt School of Education of New York University. He currently teaches disciplines in the fields of American Studies and Media Studies in Brazil and in Europe. He has published papers in international journals, book reviews and newspaper articles. Among his publications are: That Which Dares Not Define its Name: An Overview of Postmodernisms and Postmodern Trends (2001), New Perspectives on Anglophone Studies: An Anthology (2002), and 'The Simpsons' Takes on the USA: Postmodernism and (De)Construction of the American Dream (2003).
From the FOREWORD:
It has been ten years since the original collection of essays, from which those selected here were taken, was published for the first time. In ten years, a lot has changed in the world and in the United States.
As a celebration of that first long volume of essays published by Cambridge Scholars Press and edited by myself, this shorter volume is born with a selection of my contributions and with the addition of a fourth essay relevant to the present status of the United States post-Donald Trump. It is certainly too soon to write one piece dedicated to any influences Mr. Trump may still have upon such a long-established cultural and political entity as the “American Dream”.
However, the chapters collected here present relevant background material to encourage further assessments of the American Dream in the presidency of Mr. Trump.
The first time these chapters appeared, it was our concern, and it remained so for this volume, to include an extensive list of references to assist the scholar and the student of American Studies to deepen their understanding of this field with the latest (or the most relevant, at least) bibliography available.
Any further work we have on this topic, particularly after Mr. Trump has had enough time in office, will be updated in this collection and automatically sent out to everyone who purchased the Kindle edition. So, do not be surprised if a fifth or a sixth chapter appears as an update in your edition overnight. This is our attempt to use contemporary publishing tools in benefit of our audience. Also, if any reader of this volume wishes to contribute with their own piece on the American Dream, please see our contact address below and feel encouraged to submit your material for our review and possible addition to this collection. American Studies is a living field of study and we would like this collection to reflect this by continuously growing with relevant contributions.
CONTENTS:
Chapter One
The American Dreams: A Brief Historical Outline
Chapter Two
The Dream at the End of the Rainbow: The American Dream and Queer Issues in the United States
Chapter Three
The Critique of the American Dream on Television: A Case-study of The Simpsons
Chapter Four
Americans Abroad: Misconceptions about the US in Latin America
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: R. C. MIGUEZ holds a PhD and an MA in Cultural Studies and Literature. He has had extensive training in US Studies sponsored by the US State Department and the Fulbright Commission. He also holds a Certificate in US Studies from the Steinhardt School of Education of New York University. He currently teaches disciplines in the fields of American Studies and Media Studies in Brazil and in Europe. He has published papers in international journals, book reviews and newspaper articles. Among his publications are: That Which Dares Not Define its Name: An Overview of Postmodernisms and Postmodern Trends (2001), New Perspectives on Anglophone Studies: An Anthology (2002), and 'The Simpsons' Takes on the USA: Postmodernism and (De)Construction of the American Dream (2003).
From the FOREWORD:
It has been ten years since the original collection of essays, from which those selected here were taken, was published for the first time. In ten years, a lot has changed in the world and in the United States.
As a celebration of that first long volume of essays published by Cambridge Scholars Press and edited by myself, this shorter volume is born with a selection of my contributions and with the addition of a fourth essay relevant to the present status of the United States post-Donald Trump. It is certainly too soon to write one piece dedicated to any influences Mr. Trump may still have upon such a long-established cultural and political entity as the “American Dream”.
However, the chapters collected here present relevant background material to encourage further assessments of the American Dream in the presidency of Mr. Trump.
The first time these chapters appeared, it was our concern, and it remained so for this volume, to include an extensive list of references to assist the scholar and the student of American Studies to deepen their understanding of this field with the latest (or the most relevant, at least) bibliography available.
Any further work we have on this topic, particularly after Mr. Trump has had enough time in office, will be updated in this collection and automatically sent out to everyone who purchased the Kindle edition. So, do not be surprised if a fifth or a sixth chapter appears as an update in your edition overnight. This is our attempt to use contemporary publishing tools in benefit of our audience. Also, if any reader of this volume wishes to contribute with their own piece on the American Dream, please see our contact address below and feel encouraged to submit your material for our review and possible addition to this collection. American Studies is a living field of study and we would like this collection to reflect this by continuously growing with relevant contributions.
