FAQs

What is American Studies?

The term "American Studies" describes an interdisciplinary field dealing with the study of the United States.  It incorporates the study of economics, history, literature, art, media, film, urban studies, women's studies, anthropology, sociology, and political science, among other fields, to provide a framework for understanding American life and culture.

Does the U.S. Embassy sponsor American Studies programs at local Armenian universities and colleges?

The U.S. Embassy does not directly sponsor American Studies programs in Armenia, nor does the U.S. State Department have special funding for American Studies programs abroad.  It does, however, provide numerous opportunities for academic and cultural exchange between Armenia and the United States.  The U.S. Embassy also supports a number of programs for American citizens that directly benefit Armenian host universities. 

What programs does the U.S. Embassy sponsor that could support my American Studies program?

The U.S. Embassy sponsors student and professional exchanges, including the Study of the United States Institutes for Foreign Scholars, the Fulbright Scholar program, the Hubert H. Humphrey program, the Junior Faculty Development program, the Teaching Excellence and Achievement program, and the U.S. Speaker and Specialist program.  For more information about these and other programs, please visit the following websites: http://www.exchanges.state.gov, http://www.irex.am, and http://www.americancouncils.am.
The U.S. Embassy also provides outreach support through its American Corners and Information Resource Center (IRC), and through the Democracy Commission.  For more information about the American Corners, the IRC, the Democracy Commission, and other U.S. Embassy programs, please visit http://www.americancorners.am and http://yerevan.usembassy.gov.

Additionally, the U.S. Embassy sponsors several programs which place Americans at Armenian universities and institutions, including the English Language Fellow program and the American Fulbright Scholar, Student, and Senior Specialist programs.  For more information about these programs, please visit http://www.exchanges.state.gov or contact the Cultural Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy (mikayelyhb@state.gov).

How can I request American studies textbooks and other donations (i.e. desks, maps, or computers) to support my American Studies program?

The U.S. Embassy is happy to receive your request, but has only very limited resources for textbook and other donations.   Requests for infrastructure support including maps and desks should be directed to the U.S. Embassy's Assistance Coordination Group (StokesRK@state.gov).  Requests for computers should be directed to the U.S. Embassy's Computer Committee (StokesRK@state.gov).  Textbook and other related requests should be directed to the Public Affairs Section.

How can I invite an American diplomat to speak or teach at my university?

American diplomats, who represent a wide range of professional and academic backgrounds and credentials, are eager to speak with students.  Please contact the Cultural Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy (mikayelyhb@state.gov) to inquire about speaker possibilities.  The U.S. Embassy has several copies of a DVD course on American culture developed by a U.S. diplomat in Armenia. The DVD course can be obtained free of charge by university departments interested in including the course into their curriculum.
The U.S. Embassy also features an "Americans at the American Corner" program each month at the Yerevan American Corner.  For more information, please visit http://www.americancorners.am.

Where can I go to find out about American Studies programs in the United States?

The Educational Advising Center, which is hosted by the American Council's office in Yerevan (http://www.americancouncils.am/?language=1&page=5), can provide potential applicants with information about degree-granting American Studies programs in the United States.  For information about short-term academic and professional exchanges in the United States, please visit http://www.exchanges.state.gov, http://www.irex.am, http://www.americancouncils.am, and http://armenia.usembassy.gov.

Where can I go to find information about potential exchanges between American Studies programs in the United States and Armenia?

The U.S. Embassy does not directly sponsor academic exchanges between Armenian and American universities.  Please contact the U.S. Embassy's Information Resource Center for research assistance on this topic (mkrtchyana@state.gov) and the Educational Advising Center (http://www.americancouncils.am/?language=1&page=5).  Local host universities in Armenia may also be able to provide information about current university-to-university exchanges.

I would like an American Studies expert from the United States to visit and/or lecture at my university.  With whom should I speak?

The U.S. Embassy offers an opportunity for American scholars to travel to Armenia to work with local universities through the Fulbright Senior Specialist program (http://www.cies.org/specialists/).  The Fulbright Specialists Program (FSP) promotes linkages between U.S. academics and professionals and their counterparts at universities abroad.  The program is designed to award grants to qualified U.S. faculty and professionals, in select disciplines, to engage in short-term collaborative 2 to 6 week projects at higher education institutions.  International travel costs and an honorarium are funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.  Participating host universities cover grantee in-country expenses or provide in-kind services.  Eligible activities include teacher training, short-term lecturing, conducting seminars, special conferences or workshops, as well as collaborating on curriculum planning, institutional and/or faculty development.   To submit a specialist project request, or to receive more information, please contact the Cultural Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy (mikayelyhb@state.gov).

How can I receive American Studies training in the United States?

The U.S. Embassy offers several American Studies exchange program opportunities.  For more information about these and other programs, please visit the following websites: http://www.exchanges.state.gov, http://www.irex.am, http://armenia.usembassy.gov and http://www.americancouncils.am.

I am interested in American Culture.  How can I get more information?

For more than 10 years, the U.S. Embassy has sponsored cultural programs, introducing a range of American arts to local Armenian audiences.  Programs have included modern and tap dance, bluegrass music, jazz, country western music, and traditional Native American performances.  Information about past and upcoming cultural programs sponsored by the U.S. Embassy can be obtained at http://armenia.usembassy.gov.
For more information about American culture, generally, please contact the Information Resource Center (http://armenia.usembassy.gov or HayrapetyanNV@state.gov) or the American Corner in Yerevan, Gyumri, Vanadzor or Kapan (http://www.americancorners.am).

I am interested in information and English language resources available to my American Studies students.  How can I get more information?

The U.S. Embassy Information Resource Center offers a wide range of English language programming and texts, free of charge, in English that may be obtained by local universities and colleges.  The IRC also offers access to English-language databases, journals, and current news.  Please contact the IRC for details (HayrapetyanNV@state.gov).  

Additionally, The English Language Fellow program promotes English language learning around the world and fosters mutual understanding between the people of the United States and those of other countries.  It places talented, highly qualified U.S. educators with Master’s degrees with a focus in TEFL/TESL or Applied Linguistics in all regions of the world.  The ELF Program promotes English language learning and enhances English teaching capacity abroad.  Through U.S. Embassy projects, Fellows share their expertise, hone their skills, gain international experience, and learn other cultures.  If you are interested in hosting an ELF at your educational institution, please contact the Cultural Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy (mikayelyhb@state.gov).

Can you recommend American Studies resources and/or professional organization memberships available in the United States?

The U.S. Embassy in Yerevan, while encouraging American Studies programs in Armenia, does not specifically endorse or recommend a professional organization for American Studies faculty or students.  For more information about American Studies programs and organizations in the United States, please contact the research specialist at the Information Resource Center for assistance (mkrtchyana@state.gov).  Individuals interested in applying to an American Studies program in the United States should contact the Educational Advising Center, which is hosted by the American Council's office in Yerevan (http://www.americancouncils.am/?language=1&page=5).

I have an American Studies proposal/request.  To whom at the U.S. Embassy may I address my questions or submit my proposal?

For targeted inquiries, please contact the appropriate sections listed in the FAQs pertaining to your specific interests.  For general inquiries, please contact the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy.

What on-line resources does the U.S. State Department offer for people interested in American Studies?

The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (http://www.exchanges.state.gov) also provides information about English language teaching, elections, women's rights, and educational programs in the United States.

I am also interested in English language instruction as a component of my American Studies program.  What U.S. Embassy resources are available?

The U.S. Embassy has several English language resources available through its American Corners (http://www.americancorners.am) and its Information Resource Center (http://armenia.usembassy.gov/irc.html).  The U.S. Embassy Cultural Affairs Section (mikayelyhb@state.gov) can also provide a list of recommended English language resources available on-line, as well as provide contact information for English language associations and organizations in Armenia.  Outside of Yerevan, American Corner programs and Peace Corps Volunteers (www.peacecorps.gov) also provide English instruction.

I have written a book about the United States.  Does the U.S. Embassy have funding to pay for printing and distribution?

The U.S. Embassy does not generally have funding for book publication or distribution.  If you are a U.S. Government exchange program alumna/us, you may be eligible to apply for alumni outreach funds.  Please contact U.S. Embassy alumni coordinator Lusine Mkrtchyan (MkrtchyanL@state.gov) for more information.  If you represent a media organization or an NGO and the book is related to democracy or civil society development, you may be eligible to apply for a Democracy Commission small grant.  Please contact Liana Sahakyan (SahakyanL@state.gov) for more information.  The U.S. Embassy website (http://armenia.usembassy.gov) also contains information about the Democracy Commission small grants program.

I am an alumna/us of a U.S. Government exchange program and would like to contribute to an American Studies program in Armenia.  How can I get involved?

The U.S. Embassy has available each year a small amount of money for alumni outreach.  For more information about grants and project proposals, please contact grants specialist Liana Sahakyan (sahakyanl@state.gov).

Alumni may also volunteer at the Information Resource Center to host roundtables with students and at an American Corner as a lecturer within the framework of the "Armenians at the American Corner" program.  Please contact IRC Director Nerses Hayrapetyan ( HayrapetyanNV@state.gov) for more information.

If you have not registered as an alumna/us with the U.S. Embassy or would like more information about alumni programs, please contact Alumni Coordinator Lusine Mkrtchyan (MkrtchyanL@state.gov).

I am a journalist and I would like to report on American Studies and exchange programs available to Armenians.  How can I receive more information?

For information about current and future exchange program opportunities, please contact the Public Affairs Section for more information.  If you are a media organization, please send an email to the Press Section to request that you receive regular updates.