Planning Your Program
The American studies major consists of nine courses, including AMST 201, a topical survey open primarily to first-year students and sophomores, and AMST 400, a capstone seminar that explores theories and methods in the field. Majors work closely with the program coordinator and a faculty advisor to determine a specialized course of study for the remaining seven electives. These courses must be drawn from at least three departments and revolve around a coherent issue, theme, time period or methodological approach to United States culture and society.
In addition, students must complete a statement of intellectual interest and projected course of study application when they declare their American studies major. This document consists of a one paragraph statement of intellectual interest in which prospective majors describe their academic aims and provide a list of existing courses that will help them to meet those goals.
A coherent course of study, for example, might focus on African American politics, history and culture; art, literature and music of the Jacksonian Era; class, social activism and the urban built environment; gender politics and religious beliefs in the contemporary United States; transnational, multiethnic and border crossing American identities; media and technology issues; or queer theory approaches to American theater and film. These are only a few of the many possible ways to combine courses in allied departments into a coherent course of study. Students are encouraged to exercise creativity and independence in determining which electives will count toward their major.
The discipline of American studies increasingly emphasizes explorations of United States culture and society in relation to international politics, the global economy and population migrations. For this reason, students who study abroad are strongly encouraged to pursue coursework related to their American studies majors.
For more information about the American studies major, contact us.
