American Studies, B.A.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate knowledge of competing histories, stories, and interpretations of American experience and identity.
2. Identify and evaluate the complexities in perspectives and representations of American history and experience due to differences in gender, race, and regional identity.
3. Recognize different disciplinary approaches to the study of American cultures.
4. Be able to analyze and compare different kinds of texts and artifacts–e.g. historical documents, literary texts, films, museum exhibits, monuments, visual art, electronic media, etc.
5. Be able to produce analytical essays that adhere to the conventions of critical writing.
6. Be able to orally communicate, discuss, and debate critical ideas in ways that respect the diversity of the community.

General Education Requirements (30-40 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

Guidelines for course selection:

1. Students may take AMST 201 : (subtitle) for credit toward the major twice, as long as the subtitle is different in each case.
2. Electives must be selected from at least three different departments.
3. Majors must earn a minimum of 18 credit hours in courses at the 300-level or higher.
4. 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.

AMST Cultural Intersections and Transnational Requirement

American Studies Elective Requirement

Sample Course Map

For students who matriculated prior to Fall 2022: please select the bulletin year in which you entered the college (matriculated) at the top right of this page.

Curriculum Map  

• First Year 
  • Fall - 15 Credit Hours 
    • American Studies Elective Credit(s): 4 
    • WRTG 105 - Writing Seminar: (subtitle)  Credit(s): 4 
    • Math/ Quantitative Credits: 3
    • World Language 101 Credit(s): 4
  • Spring - 16 Credit Hours 

    • AMST 201 - Topics in American Studies: (subtitle)    Credit(s): 4 

    • Counts for Global Society: DPP and CAI*
    • World Language 102 Credit(s): 4 
    • Global Society: WCV* Credit(s): 4 
    • Natural Science with lab Credit(s): 4
• Second Year 
  • Fall - 16 Credit Hours 
    • Cultural Intersections Course - Credit(s): 3 
    • History U.S. Pre-1877 Credit(s): 4 
    • Global Society: SST* Credit(s): 3 
    • Global Society: CGC* Credit(s): 3 
    • Elective Credit(s): 3 
  • Spring - 14 Credit Hours 
    • History U.S. Post-1877 Credit(s): 4 
    • American Literature Credit(s): 4 
    • Electives Credit(s): 6 
• Third Year 
  • Fall - 15 Credit Hours 
    • AMST 2xx-4xx Elective Credit(s): 4 
    • American Studies Elective Credit(s): 3
    • American Studies Elective Credit(s): 4 
    • Electives - Credit(s): 4
  • Spring - 15 Credit Hours 
    • Transnational Course Credit(s): 3
    • American Studies Elective Credit(s): 3
    • Electives Credit(s): 9
• Fourth Year 
  • Fall - 15 Credit Hours 
    • Electives Credit(s): 15
  • Spring - 14 Credit Hours 
    • Integrative & Applied Learning Credit(s): 3
    • Electives Credit(s): 11

KEY - Participation in a Global Society (PGS)

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