Our journal has served the postgraduate community in American studies since 1999. It connects its readers and contributors to ongoing and recently completed research projects, covering the interdisciplinary field of American studies, including e.g. literature, history, popular culture, media cultures, visual culture, political science, sociology, and geography, as well as papers from other areas that could be of interest to the American Studies community. The journal was conceived as an easy-to-access platform for scholarly exchange among young German Americanists, facilitating collegial dialogue and scholarly debate.

In recent years, COPAS has put the tenet of scholarly feedback and networking at the center of its mission. As a consequence, only presentations of the respective Postgraduated Forum (PGF) were considered for publication. Yet, we are open to all projects presenting postgraduate work. Departments interested in presenting their research projects are kindly asked to contact the editors.

We hope all of our readers will enjoy COPAS.

The Editors