A BSTRACT This essay is a politico-cultural survey of the "American Studies" discipline in the United States and abroad, with special reference to Turkey. Against the background of extended relations with the United States during the Cold War period, the field in Turkey developed through bilateral efforts. While the initiative was an invaluable part of US public diplomacy to win hearts and minds, the reasons for the flourishing of American Language (later Culture) and Literature programs in Turkey were, and still are, mainly non-ideological for Turkish students and scholars.The Cold War was an era during which the United States made use of political, economic, and military means for national security purposes. However, tactics employed to contain the Soviet threat also included a cultural facet. Cultural propaganda-that is, promotion of "Americanism"-became a crucial part of "public diplomacy" to win over the hearts and minds of people both at home and abroad. Hence, the "Cold War" assumed the form of "cultural warfare" in which American values such as liberalism and individualism spread throughout the world, mainly through media and education. This essay focuses on the latter strategy. The main argument is that the US government, in coordination with several foundations and associations, sought to guarantee allies for its cause by celebrating Americanism through educational programs, especially at the university level. Although this strategy embodied both national and international dimensions, the present study highlights the second aspect, with special reference to Turkey. Firstly, it provides background information as to how "American Studies" as a discipline appeared in the United States; next, it focuses upon American Language and Literature departments (later American Culture and Literature) in Turkey as a reflection of this development. The article highlights the interrelatedness of politics and culture, as well as politics and education in the pursuit of the national interest at a time of high tension. It is an account of how culture was granted seminal status as an element of "soft power" in order to achieve victory through ideological attraction.
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