Professional Organizations

"I would never belong to any organization that would accept me as a member." - Groucho Marx

Various specialties within cultural studies have professional organizations that provide ongoing information, including information on career possibilities. If you choose to join, you may be able to take advantage of student membership rates.

• American Academy of Religion (AAR)
  The AAR dedicates itself to promoting the academic study of religion in all its dimensions through professional resources and programs, including a quarterly newspaper and an employment information program that provides a comprehensive set of services to help coordinate the efforts of job seekers and employers.
• The American Philosophical Association (APA)
  As the main professional organization for philosophy in the United States, the APA aims to facilitate the exchange of ideas, professional work and teaching of philosophers as well as encourage creative and scholarly activity in the field of philosophy.
• American Studies Association  (ASA)
  This association promotes and encourages the historical and contemporary study of American culture. Resources include an academic journal (American Quarterly), a resource guide and an employment opportunities bulletin.
  
• Association for the Study of Literature and the Environment (ASLE)
  The ASLE encourages the exchange of resources about literature and other cultural representations that consider human relationships with the natural world. To meet this end, the organization facilitates both traditional and innovative scholarly approaches to all cultural representations of nature.
• The Modern Language Association (MLA)
  This organization provides opportunities for its members to share their scholarly findings and teaching experiences through professional meetings, collaboration with related organizations and a publishing program in the humanities.
• National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)
  The NCTE is an association of teachers of English at all levels, from kindergarten through college. The council provides opportunities for teachers to continue their professional growth and a framework for cooperation on issues that affect the teaching of English.
• National Women's Studies Association
  This organization furthers feminist/womanist academic and community service at the pre-K through post-secondary levels, while concurrently providing resources in the field of women's studies for those outside the profession.
• Poets and Writers
  This organization provides a range of resources to the literary community including a "Reading/Workshops Program," a writers exchange and the Poets and Writers Magazine.
  
• Society for the Study of the Mulit-Ethnic Literature of the United States (MELUS)
  MELUS endeavors to expand the definition of American literature through the study and teaching of Latino, Native American, African American, Asian and Pacific American, and ethnically specific Euro-American literary works, their authors and their cultural contexts.