AUSTRALIAN STUDIES ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA
1997 Annual Conference, 20-22 February 1997

TAKING STOCK OF AUSTRALIAN STUDIES IN NORTH AMERICA

Robert H T Smith
Executive Director
Australian Education Office
1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington	DC	20036
Tel	202 332 8285
fax	202 332 8304
email	

1. The Rationale for Australian Studies
   • a priori
   • Empirical
     Australian Education Office
2. Objectives of Australian Studies
   • Offer programs of study at the undergraduate level leading to a certificate, diploma or major in an undergraduate degree
   • Coordinate graduate study
   • Promote and facilitate research and scholarly inquiry, including faculty visits and exchanges
3. Strategies for Promoting Australian Studies
   �
   • Institutional
     Endowed Chairs
     Harvard University
     University of Missouri-St Louis
     Centers, Institutes and Units
     The Center for Australian and New Zealand Studies Center, Georgetown University
     Australia-New Zealand Studies Center, The Pennsylvania State University
     The Australian Studies Program, Rollins College
     The Edward A Clark Center for Australian Studies, The University of Texas at Austin
     
     Organizational Rubrics
     The Australia-Pacific Council, Michigan State University
     Australian Studies Steering Committee, The University of Oregon
     �
   • Individual
     Faculty research grants
     Faculty curriculum development grants
     Visiting scholar programs
     Graduate Student dissertation support
     �
   • Associations and Organisations
     AAALS
     ASANA
     International Studies Association
     Pacific Science Association
     Western Social Science Association
     Conferences and workshops
     Publications
     Information clearinghouse
     
     �
   • Electronic
     WWW sites
     See the newly-established Australian Studies Network:
     OR
     comprehensive lists also available from
     
     
     ASANA membership directory, etc
     4
   • Prospect �
     • General Context
       Faculty loyalties are to the discipline first, then to area studies
       �
     • US Context
       Scale and Focus of US area studies:
       Latin America Studies
       African Studies [large membership]
       Asian Studies (East, Southeast, and South) [well-established programs]
       �
     • Title 6 (NDEA), and Peace Corps - emphasis on third world �
     • Statistics
       early 1990�s, 2,000+ people identified in US universities with an Australian interest
       1993, 400 replied to an invitation to receive a newsletter
       1994, 100 paid $25 ASANA dues
       1995, 1996 & 1997, 30-40 attended annual ASANA meetings
       �
     • University Context: Organisational Location of Australian Studies
       Pennsylvania State [VP Research]
       Harvard & Oregon [College of Arts and Science]
       MSU & Missouri-KC [International Studies & Programs]
       Georgetown [Foreign Service]
       Texas at Austin [Senior VP]
       Tennessee [College of Education (defunct)]
       �
     • Alternative Rubrics
       Problem related - e.g., APEC
       Asian or Asian-Pacific Studie