Mar 29, 2024  
2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

American Studies, B.A.


The American Studies major leading to a B.A. degree consists of 36 credits, including 15 credits of American Studies core courses, 18 credits of course work distributed across 3 core themes, and 3 credits of applied experience (internship, student teaching, service learning, applied/action research).  A minor program is available for students majoring in other fields who wish to complete a concentration in American Studies. All courses applicable to the major or minor, excluding the applied experience, must carry a grade of C or above. A maximum of 9 credits from related disciplines may be applied to the Core Themes with the approval of the department. A maximum of 6 credits in independent study may be counted toward the major. 

American Studies Foundational Core (15 credits)


The American Studies Core provides a foundation in the key research and writing practices of the discipline. Two lower-level courses introduce students to fundamental American Studies concepts. Students build knowledge and engage in professional writing and research practices in an upper-level gateway course, two advanced seminars, and a capstone research seminar.

Core Themes


Six upper-level courses, two in each of the core themes listed below, for a total of 18 credits. One 200-level courses may be applied to the core themes. All other courses in the core themse should be upper-level (300 or 400) courses.

Global America: The U.S. in the World, The World in the U.S.


Courses in this category explore the relationships of America with other countries and cultures, including globalization, migrations, immigration, diasporic experiences in America, and transnational cultures.

American Signs: U.S. Literary, Visual, and Material Culture.


Courses in this category provide interdisciplinary analysis of oral, written, visual, and material representations of American life and culture and the historical and social contexts in which they are produced and consumed.

Applied Experience (3 credits: P/F or Regular Credit)


Includes internships, service learning, undergraduate research, student teacher praxis, and AMST courses designed as applied research. Students in dual programs may fulfill this requirement by taking an approved applied experience course in the second department. AMST 205  may be counted toward the applied experience requirement.

American Studies Major/Education Certification


There is a dual major/certificate program for students seeking teaching certification in early childhood, elementary, and secondary education. Students in this program whose certification requirements include supplementary courses in social sciences or history may subsitute 9 credits of those courses for 9 credits of the core themes. Students making this substitution must select one course exploring each theme from the lists below for the remaining 9 credits in the core themes. Students seeking education certification may count student teaching as their applied experience.