The volume is designed as a foundational work for the entire field of English and American Studies, presented by leading experts in its most important areas and subfields - English Literature, American Literature, New English Literatures; Literary and Cultural Theory; Cultural Studies; Analysis of literary texts of all genres, films, and cultural phenomena; Linguistics; Subject Didactics. Beyond being merely an introductory volume, it aims for an appropriately complex, albeit necessarily selective and exemplary summary of central knowledge areas of the discipline and its sub-disciplines. The language of publication is English. In a large format and two-color layout: Illustrations, summary panels with clarifications of terms and background information serve as additional sources of information and illustration alongside the main text.