美国学(American Studies)是二十世纪三十年代兴起的一门新学科。关于它的起源和定义,美国学术界尚无作出“盖棺定论”式的终极结论。学者们仁者见仁,智者见智,难以在这方面达成共识。根据一般的说法,美国学之所以产生,主要是源于下列几种因素的合力作用。首先,二十世纪三十年代的美国已是世界上屈指可数的世界强国,其他国家(尤其是欧洲诸强)在对“山姆大叔”刮目相看的同时,对“扬基精 American Studies was a new discipline emerging in the 1930s. With regard to its origin and definition, no final conclusion has been made by the academic community in the United States on the “final rule.” The benevolent people of academics see the wisdom, the wise see the wisdom, it is difficult to reach a consensus in this regard. According to the general statement, the reason why American studies arise mainly from the combined effect of the following factors. First of all, the United States in the 1930s is already one of the most powerful world powers in the world. Other countries (especially the European strongholds), while admiring “Uncle Sam”