American Classicisms

The American Classicisms working group investigates the role played by the classical traditions of Greece and Rome in the institutions, intellectual life, and popular culture of the Americas from the seventeenth century onwards. It asks how Americans accessed, constructed, mobilized, and appropriated knowledge about ancient societies—oftentimes to the exclusion of others.  

We are interested in receiving both abstracts for formal presentations of relevant work and proposals for leading more informal discussions with the group. We especially welcome participants from the fields of African American Studies, American Studies, Art History, Classics, Comparative Literature, English, History, Religious Studies, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.