Regional Studies (U.S., Canada, Foreign): Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Program Overview

Regional Studies (U.S., Canada, Foreign) explores the cultural, historical, political, and social dynamics of specific geographic subregions across North America and beyond. This interdisciplinary field examines how place shapes identity, institutions, and human experience, with a focus on both contemporary developments and long-term historical trajectories.

• Acadian Studies: Investigates the history, language, and cultural evolution of the Acadian people in eastern Canada and the U.S. Gulf Coast, emphasizing resilience and diasporic identity.
• French Canadian and Quebec Studies: Analyzes the linguistic, political, and cultural distinctiveness of French-speaking communities in Canada, particularly within Quebec’s unique societal framework.
• Southern (U.S.) Studies: Explores the historical and cultural foundations of the American South, including its complex legacies of race, agriculture, religion, and regional identity.
• New England Studies: Focuses on the historical development, social structures, and cultural expressions of the northeastern U.S. region, from colonial origins to modern urban and rural dynamics.
• Southwestern Studies: Examines the intersection of Indigenous, Mexican, Spanish, and Anglo-American influences in the southwestern U.S., with attention to borderlands, migration, and multiculturalism.
• Northern Studies: Addresses the geography, indigenous communities, economic systems, and environmental challenges of northern regions, including Arctic and subarctic territories in Canada and the U.S.