American Studies

American Studies Major | American Studies Minor

General Distribution Requirements

AMST 110, AMST 222, AMST 224, AMST 225, AMST 230, AMST 232, AMST 233, AMST 248, AMST 249, AMST 256, AMST 270, AMST 288, AMST 310, AMST 331, AMST 334, AMST 354, AMST 380, AMST 444 and AMST 445 count toward the general distribution requirement in humanities. AMST 101, AMST 103, AMST 112, AMST 200, AMST 203, AMST 250, AMST 254, AMST 260, AMST 280, AMST 285, AMST 300, AMST 305, AMST 341, AMST 240, and AMST 370 count toward the social science general distribution requirement. AMST 350 counts toward the fine arts requirement. Any topics courses offered (at any level) require approval by the department to qualify for either distribution. Courses approved for the American Studies major offered through other departments meet the general distribution requirements of that department.

General Education Requirements

Courses that meet the general education requirements in writing, quantitative thinking, internationalism and multiculturalism will be posted on the Registrar’s web page in advance of registration for each semester.

Additional information regarding the general distribution requirement and the general education requirements can be found in the graduation requirements section of this catalog.

Courses Approved for American Studies Majors or Minors

In addition to courses offered directly through the American Studies department, certain courses in other departments are approved for use on the American Studies major and minor plans. Approval is based on specific syllabi and faculty; please consult with the department chair with questions about approval. Consult the department for approved courses from previous years.

Honors Program

The American Studies department participates in the Honors Program. Eligibility requirements, application procedures and specific project expectations for the department are available from the department office.

Topics Courses

AMST 194, AMST 294, AMST 394, AMST 494

Topics courses are occasional, often experimental courses, offered by instructors at their own initiative or in response to student requests. Recent topics courses include: American Voices: Multi-Ethnic Literature, Indian Americanness, and Latinos and United States Imperialism. To be announced at registration.

Independent Study

The department offers independent study options in the form of tutorials, independent projects, internships, and preceptorships. For more information contact the department and review the Curriculum section of the catalog.

American Studies Major

Major Requirements

The American Studies major consists of ten (10) courses which includes four (4) required courses and electives, and an internship.

Required Elements for the Major

1. Introductory course AMST 101 - Explorations of Race and Racism, AMST 103 - The Problems of Race in US Social Thought and Policy, AMST 110 - Introduction to African American Studies or a course designated as equivalent by the American Studies chair. Note: This introductory course may involve a cross-listed course in another department.
2. Methods Course AMST 200 - Critical Methods for American Studies Research.
3.  Junior Seminar: AMST 300 - Jr Civic Engagement Seminar. This course may include additional credits in the form of an internship or equivalent community-based learning component.
4.  Senior Capstone: AMST 400 - Senior Seminar.
   
   Note: These four courses should be taken in sequential order. In rare cases, two courses might be taken in the same semester (for example, Junior Seminar and Methods). However, because the learning is cumulative, we discourage taking these in non-sequential order, or pushing them to the end of a student's academic plan.
    
5. Content Courses. In addition to the four required courses, the major plan will include six (6) electives. These courses may include cross-listed courses, or a maximum of four credits earned from a Study Away/Study Abroad program.
6. Internships. In addition to the ten (10) courses, the American Studies major also requires at least two (2) credits in an off-campus internship. Internship placements must be meaningful, relevant and connected in some way to cousrework in the major.

Other Elements of the Major

1. Majors are encouraged to take at least one international and/or diasporic course.
2. Majors are encouraged to enroll in study abroad (in an international course of study) or study away programs (in a U.S.-based urban studies program).
3. Majors are encouraged to have the equivalent of two years of work in a language other than English. Note: Native American languages would fulfill this requirement.
4. Majors are encouraged to take an internship, decided upon in consultation with the department chair.
5. Majors who meet college criteria are encouraged to conduct an honors project in conjunction with their senior capstone.

 

American Studies Minor

Minor Requirements

The minor in American Studies will require the Introduction to American Studies and four other courses chosen from the areas of emphasis. Minors can be declared at any time.