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Nov 21, 2024
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2019-2020 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
American Studies, B.A.
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 Return to: Academic Programs
American Studies is an interdisciplinary program offering a wide range of courses that develop the analytical, research, and communication skills necessary for success in a variety of fields. The major integrates materials, themes, and approaches from diverse areas of study including history, literature, political science, sociology, communication, film and media, gender and sexuality, African American studies, and Native American studies. The program allows students to explore transnational, cross-cultural, and comparative perspectives of the United States. A degree in American Studies can help prepare students for career paths in academia, social activism, non-profit work, media, law, government, museum management, librarianship, and teaching. The program provides a broad grounding in the study of the United States while also allowing students the flexibility to pursue their own intellectual interests and goals.
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Program Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge of competing histories, stories, and interpretations of American experience and identity.
- Identify and evaluate the complexities in perspectives and representations of American history and experience due to differences in gender, race, and regional identity.
- Recognize different disciplinary approaches to the study of American cultures.
- Be able to analyze and compare different kinds of texts and artifacts-e.g. historical documents, literary texts, films, museum exhibits, monuments, visual art, electronic media, etc.
- Be able to produce analytical essays that adhere to the conventions of critical writing.
- Be able to orally communicate, discuss, and debate critical ideas in ways that respect the diversity of the community.
General Education Requirements (30-46 Credits)
Prerequisite coursework may be required to satisfy certain General Education courses and will count as elective credit.
Total Credits Required to Complete Major: 40
Basic Requirements: (22 Credits)
One course in American history before 1877 (3 Credits)
One course in American history after 1877 (3 Credits)
Cultural Intersections (3 Credits)
One course exploring cultural intersections in America; that is, a course focusing on marginalized peoples and/or critical approaches to difference, including class, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, and/or ability. (from list of approved courses)
American Cultures (3 Credits)
One course examining American cultures from a transnational, cross-border, comparative approach. (from a list of approved courses)
Elective hours: (18 Credits)
Elective hours in courses emphasizing American Studies selected under advisement (e.g., in American Studies**, anthropology, art history, communication, economics, geography, history, literature, music, philosophy, political science, sociology, and theatre arts). (from a list of approved courses)
Guidelines for course selection:
- Students may take AMST 201 : (subtitle) for credit toward the major twice, as long as the subtitle is different in each case.
- Electives must be selected from at least three different departments.
- Majors must earn a minimum of 15 credit hours in courses at the 300-level or higher.
- A maximum of 9 credits may be taken at the 100-level of the 40 credits required for the major.
Writing Requirement
American Studies, English, and History courses all require significant amounts of writing. The interdisciplinary American Studies major provides students with an intensive and cumulative writing experience by requiring a minimum of 5 courses in these three subject areas and 5 courses at the 300 level or higher. Writing courses will be selected under advisement; qualified students will be allowed to research and write about topics of their choice in directed studies over one or two semesters (see bulletin listings for AMST 393 , AMST 396 , AMST 399 ).
Minimum Competence Requirement:
A grade of C- or better is required in all courses submitted in fulfillment of the 40-hour requirement for the American Studies major.
Courses that fulfill AMST cultural intersections requirement:
Courses that may be taken as American Studies electives:
Courses that fulfill AMST transnational requirement:
Business
NOTE: Courses have prerequisites and are restricted to School of Business majors and minors. Others may seek permission from the School of Business
Fall (16 Credit Hours)
Cultural Intersections course Credit(s): 3
HIST pre-1877 Credit(s): 3
ENGL elective in American Literature Credit(s): 4
Elective or Foreign Language Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3
Fall (15 Credit Hours)
ENGL Credit(s): 4
AMST Elective Credit(s): 3
R/ Credit(s): 4
Elective or Foreign Language Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 1
Spring (15 Credit Hours)
Transnational course Credit(s): 3
AMST Elective Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3
Fall (15 Credit Hours)
AMST Elective Credit(s): 3
AMST 2xx or 3xx level Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3
Spring (12 Credit Hours)
AMST Elective Credit(s): 3
Elective (or AMST 393 ) Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3
Total Credit Hours: 120
Note: Where no prerequisites apply, some variation in the order or semester in which courses are taken is possible. Students should consult their academic advisors for additional information.
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