Az Eszterházy Károly Tanárképző Főiskola Tudományos Közleményei. 1994. [Vol. 2.] Eger Journal of American Studies. (Acta Academiae Paedagogicae Agriensis : Nova series ; Tom. 22)

STUDIES - Lehel Vadon: László Országh, the Founder of American Studies in Hungary.

Program for American Studies in Hungary

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4, he pointed out the historic tradition of official neglect as one of the main obstacles to the establishment and research of the discipline. He considered the mid-century, stereotypical, traditional America-image and the widespread ignorance concerning the cultural achievements of the United States "ostrich-like behavior" and an "impermissible luxury." He argued that "the intellectual achievement of the United States became so versatile and significant in the twentieth century, and America's intellectual role is so dominant in the Western World that a refusal to research this field could adversely affect our intellectual orientation." In order to facilitate the establishment and development of American Studies and to promote research, Országh outlined the most important tasks: 1. The publication of a multi-volume abundantly detailed Hungarian language work aimed to address domestic superficiality and ignorance concerning the United States through an analysis of its historical development, political structure, economy, and society with additional emphasis on the people, language, literature, arts, and science. 2. The publication of a scholarly analysis on the history of American literature. 3. The compilation and publication of a bibliography of primary and secondary sources concerning American literature and literary criticism in Hungary. 4. A scholarly examination of Hungarian

—American cultural relations with special attention to the Hungarian reception of American literature. 5. Research on Hungarian influence on American civilization. 6. The creation of an organizational framework, providing adequate financial resources and maintaining a supply line of future reLászló Országh, "Az amerikanisztika feladatai Magyarországon," f= A Program for American Studies in Hungary.! Angol Filológiai Tanulmányok II (1965): 121—126. — László Országh, "A Programme for American Studies in Hungary," The New Hungaiian Quarterly 23 (1966): 163—167. 148