The American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies, established in 1969, is the foremost learned society in the United States for the study of all aspects of the period from the later seventeenth through the early nineteenth century.
Repose in a Park. Jean-Baptiste Joseph Pater, c. 1730. Oil on canvas, 21 1/2 x 25 7/8 in. Saint Louis Art Museum
![rom the SLAM website: Surrounding the seated woman in pink are well-dressed members of the upper class enjoying the pleasantries of a park. Flirtations abound. The kneeling man to the left of the seated woman holds his hand to his chest to signify his affection while the reclining man in the lower right seeks to charm the young lady beside him. Known by the term “Fête galante,” (literally “gallant party”) this type of painting depicts the intricacies of social relationships and courtship within a pastoral setting.](https://asecs.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/more-info-button.png)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
![Painting of an Indian Woman. Anna Maria von Phul, 1818. Native American. Missouri Historical Society Painting of an Indian Woman. Anna Maria von Phul, 1818. Native American. Missouri Historical Society](https://asecs.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/native-american-woman-1818-watercolor-792x1024.jpg)
Registration ASECS 2025
Registration is live! Register for the 55th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies now to get the discounted early bird rate!
Read More2025 Annual Meeting Schedule
Access the preliminary schedule here; please send any requests for corrections to Executive Director Benita Blessing (director@asecs.org). A PDF of the schedule will be available in February.
Read MoreASECS is pleased to share news of interest to members. Send requests to post items of relevance to the Business Office (office@asecs.org) for consideration. All announcement decisions are final.
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MEMBERSHIP
All members of ASECS receive a one-year subscription to the society’s quarterly journal; may purchase the annual journal at a discount; and are eligible to propose panels and appear on the program of the Annual meeting.All members based in North America and neighboring areas also receive access to Gale-Cengage’s Eighteenth Century Collections Online (ECCO) 1 & 2.
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PUBLICATIONS
ASECS publishes two scholarly journals. Eighteenth-Century Studies (ECS) is published quarterly. Studies in Eighteenth-Century Culture (SECC) is published annually. We also publish a News Circular, which appears three times each year.
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COMMUNITIES
ASECS promotes the study and teaching of the long eighteenth century through diverse networks at membership, society, and international levels. Learn more about engaging with other members and partners to identify and support our mission and the field with caucuses, affiliates, and coalition partners.
ANNUAL MEETING
Our 55th Annual Meeting will be held March 28-29 and April 4-5, 2025 virtually.
We are committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming conference environment in which all members participate fully in the exchange of knowledge and ideas. We welcome scholars pursuing all aspects of eighteenth-century studies and in all careers and career stages. Call for Proposals is now open!
Please join us whether you are a long-time member, or new to ASECS!
![A view of the Toronto city skyline from the perspective of the Toronto Islands (drone image).](https://asecs.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Giovanni_Battista_Piranesi_-_Le_Carceri_dInvenzione_-_First_Edition_-_1750_-_07_-_The_Drawbridge-scaled.jpg)
![The bold interlocking swirl of red and white suggests worldly dualities. Painted ceramics such as this are synonymous with Quapaw peoples. The group migrated from the Ohio River valley south to the confluence of the Arkansas and Mississippi rivers around the 16th century. During this time, artists stopped using exotic North American materials sourced through long distance trade, such as copper and shell, and instead expanded upon earlier ceramic traditions. Quapaw artists seem to draw inspiration from the globular body and tapering necks of gourds while consistently using color combinations of red, white, black, and buff. It is likely this “teapot” form was based on vessels introduced following the arrival of Europeans in the mid-16th century. The Quapaw nation continued to inhabit what is now Arkansas through the early 19th century. Following policies set by the United States government and the signing of three treaties, the government forcibly removed Quapaw peoples to present-day Oklahoma, where the Quapaw nation is located today.](https://asecs.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/spouted-vessel-with-painted-motifs-copy-1024x682.jpg)
OUR RESOURCES
ASECS is pleased to offer members a number of resources on research and teaching, events, grants and fellowships, and member support.
Quapaw Culture (Arkansas/Midsouth), Spouted Vessel with Painted Motifs,
ca.1500–1700 (maybe 1600). Saint Louis Art Museum
VOLUNTEER
ASECS encourages members to volunteer to serve on committees, to participate in one of its many caucuses and affiliate societies, and to volunteer to run for elected office and board positions.
UPCOMING EVENTS
October 12-14, 2023
HECAA@30:
Environments, Materials, and Futures in the Eighteenth Century
February 29 – March 2, 2024
The 50th Annual Meeting of SEASECS
Furman University
Greenville, SC
March 20-24, 2024
The Society for American Music 50th Annual Conference
Detroit, MI
April 4-7 , 2024
ASECS Conference Toronto
Sheraton Centre Toronto
Annual Conference in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
April 10-13, 2024
NCPH, Call for Proposals: “Historical Urgency”
Salt Lake City, UT