2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
American Studies
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Faculty
Professor
Paula Nicole King
B.A., Coastal Carolina University, 1999; M.A., University of New Mexico, 2001; Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park, 2008
Associate Professor
Tamara Bhalla
B.A., Boston University, 2000; M.A., University of Michigan, 2003; Ph.D., 2008
Assistant Professor
Michael Casiano
B.A., University of Maryland, College Park, 2012; Ph.D., 2018
Mika Thornburg
B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara, 2013; M.A., 2018; Ph.D., 2024
Assistant Teaching Professor
Iris Blake
B.A., Arizona State University, 2010; M.M., University of Texas at Austin, 2013; Ph.D., University of California, Riverside, 2020
Professor Emeritus
Warren J. Belasco
B.A., University of Michigan, 1969; M.A., 1972; Ph.D., 1977
Patrice McDermott
B.A., University of Maryland, College Park, 1980; M.A., 1982; Ph.D., 1989
The American Studies program encourages and enables students to develop their understanding of the social structures and cultural values of the American experience (past, present, and future) from local, regional, and global perspectives.
The program provides a broad overview of key themes in the field and engages students in research, field experience, and community projects, using materials and methodologies from various disciplines. The core courses in the major emphasize learning through seminar experiences and independent projects. Students are also encouraged to examine their own backgrounds, assumptions, and values as participants in American culture.
Career and Academic Paths
Through the combination of the learning experiences American studies provides, students are prepared for many vocations, including teaching, public history, law, public policy, social service, public relations, and communications, as well as for graduate school in numerous fields.
Specially designed dual program possibilities for students include dual majors and minors with American Studies and Education , Gender, Women’s, + Sexuality Studies , Media & Communication Studies , and Social Work .
In each of these instances, courses in the American studies program are directly applicable or complementary to work in the second field. Students may also elect to double major or combine a major and minor in other departments.
American Studies Council of Majors
American studies students are welcome to join the American Studies Council of Majors. This departmental club hosts informal student-faculty gatherings on issues related to American culture.
ProgramsMajorMinorCoursesAmerican StudiesPublic Humanities
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