Journal of Transnational American Studies

In this paper, I share my experience in teaching and theorizing American studies in Singapore and Southeast Asia as a Fulbright scholar from 2017 to 2018. Through my own teaching at the National University of Singapore and lectures at universities in Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines, I examine what it means by American studies in the Asia Pacific in what critics call the post-American era. Drawing examples from literary studies themes such as post-9/11 literature, ethnic American literature, and environmental literature and genre specifics like graphic novel, video games, Hollywood cinema, visual and performance arts, I also call attention to special topics, which may vary from the Black Pacific to Vietnam War and the War on Terror. I argue that American studies have been taught differently in countries in Southeast Asia with Singapore showing its own interest and position in the region. There is a high demand on American studies in terms of theory, method, and diversity of genres and forms if we adapt our teaching to the local needs. In fact, we have arrived at a new critical moment in American studies, whether we call it “the transnational turn in American studies,” “transpacific American studies,” or “archipelagic American studies.”