American Studies Minor

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Be able to analyze and compare different kinds of texts and artifacts-e.g. historical documents, literary texts, films, museum exhibits, monuments, visual art, electronic media, etc.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.

Total Credits Required to Complete Minor: 20-24

Basic Requirements: (20-24 Credits)

AMST 201 - Topics in American Studies: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
One ENGL course in American literature Credit(s): 4

One course in American history before 1877 (3-4 Credits)

HIST 150 - History of the United States I Credit(s): 3
HIST 161 - Issues in American History: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
HIST 163 - African American History to 1877 Credit(s): 4
HIST 263 - The Civil War and Reconstruction Era from 1830-1890 Credit(s): 4
HIST 405 - Early America, 1000-1775 Credit(s): 4
HIST 406 - The Age of the American Revolution Credit(s): 4
HIST 407 - Slave Rebellions and Resistance in the Atlantic World Credit(s): 4
HIST 465 - Iroquois History from Precontact to Present Credit(s): 4

One course in American history after 1877 (3-4 Credits)

HIST 151 - History of the United States II Credit(s): 3
HIST 162 - History Matters, U.S.: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
HIST 164 - African American History from 1877 Credit(s): 4
HIST 204 - U.S. Since 1945 Credit(s): 4
HIST 250 - Work and Workers in America Credit(s): 4
HIST 266 - Civil Rights Movement in America Credit(s): 4
HIST 410 - The Gilded Age and Progressive Era, 1877-1918 Credit(s): 4
HIST 411 - The Making of Modern America, 1918-1945 Credit(s): 4
HIST 413 - Black Power and Structural Inequality in Post-1945 Credit(s): 4
HIST 415 - Environmental History of Modern America Credit(s): 4

Cultural intersections (3-4 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 (3-4 Credits)

One course examining American cultures from a transnational, cross-border, comparative approach. (from list of approved courses)

Guidelines for course selection:

Students may take “AMST 201 : (subtitle)” for credit toward the minor twice, as long as the subtitle is different in each case.
Minors must earn a minimum of 6 credit hours in courses at the 300-level or higher.
A maximum of 6 credits may be taken at the 100-level of the 20-24 credits required for the minor.