Frederike Offizier Bücher

Written by a group of U. S. and European scholars, ‘Crossroads in American Studies’ fittingly represents new areas of American studies that are changing the discipline. The extensive collection of articles provides both a general overview and many interesting expansions in the areas of transnational and biocultural studies. Amongst others, the transpacific, hemispheric, cosmopolitan, gerontocentric and affective approaches to the Americas complicate and enrich our understanding of the field. Focusing on these crossroads the contributions assembled in this volume are in honor of the wide influence and diverse interests of Rüdiger Kunow, who has served as Professor of American Studies at the University of Potsdam and as President of the German Association of American Studies.

The book provides a cultural critique of how advancements in biomedicine and biotechnology impact health practices, particularly emphasizing prevention and self-surveillance. Frederike Offizier examines the interplay between health, security, and identity, revealing how a heightened focus on risk alters our perceptions of health and our relationships with our bodies. Through an analysis of diverse texts, she highlights the emergence of new paradigms of difference and identities shaped by biomedicine, ultimately introducing the concept of biosecurity individuals.