Program: Major
American Studies as a scholarly approach was inaugurated during the Cold War, and it was highly invested in justifying the power of the U.S. nation-state through the study of its culture and society. In our incarnation of American Studies, we focus more critically on the concept of "America," by looking both at those texts and ideas that have been traditionally identified with Americanness, and also by examining those exclusions and tensions that push the boundaries of this concept. The American Studies major seeks to challenge the definition of a unified and unique American culture, through an interdisciplinary and intense look at the various elements that make up that culture.
As an interdisciplinary major, American Studies allows students the flexibility to design their own course of study drawing from a variety of departments and disciplines. But the program is more just than the combination of these courses-it is also a critical intersection and intervention into the study of America. In other words, American Studies is a highly self-reflexive major in which you will constantly be questioning the object of your study. As an American Studies major, you will learn to analyze the interrelations between various aspects of American politics, culture, history, and society, and to think critically about the concept of "America." The theories and methodologies that you will learn will push you beyond your pre-conceptions about what it means to study America. Among the themes typically introduced in the core sequence (AMST 301, 302, and 401) are migration, imperialism, urbanization, globalization, etc. In addition to the core courses, you will select a variety of elective courses on American politics, literature, music, culture, society, and history from different departments throughout the university.
Although the major has no prerequisites, it is highly recommended that you take either AMST 201, or courses taught by our core faculty in other deparmtents. That way, you can gain first-hand experience on what it means to approach a topic from an interdisciplinary, American Studies viewpoint.
Major Requirements
30 class hours (10 courses), consisting of:
- AMST 301-302: Introduction to the American Studies Major
- AMST 401: Senior Seminar in American Studies
- Seven additional courses from an approved list of electives:
- these courses must be taken in at least three (3) different departments
- a minimum of three (3) courses must be taken in a single department
- one or more courses in at least two (2) additional departments-for one of these courses, a second AMST 401 course may be substituted.
- at least four (4) courses must be at the 300-level or above
- High School AP credit may not be substituted for these courses.
- Majors must have at least a 2.0 grade point average in American Studies approved courses to complete the major.
In order to graduate with an American Studies major, a student must have taken AMST 301 and 302 and earned a grade of C or better in each course.
Declaring the Major
Applications are accepted for the American Studies major in March. Each year, we accept an incoming class of third-years of about 30-35 students
This year, the meeting for prospective majors will take place Tues., March 18, 7-10 pm, in Clark 40. Faculty and current majors will be in attendance to explain the program and its benefits.
Application for American Studies Major due March 24, 2008. Please turn in hard copies of the application to Professor Maurie McInnis, Director, American Studies, 205 Fayerweather Hall (mailbox).Click here to download the application.
Distinguished Majors Project (DMP)
For majors with a minimum 3.6 GPA in the major (and 3.4 GPA overall), we offer a disginguished majors project for the fourth-year. DMPs take a year-long independent study with a faculty advisor, with the goal of producing a 35-50 pg. thesis that is evaluated by outside readers. DMPs also take an addition AMST 401 course in their fourth-year. To participate in the DMP program, please contact the American Studies director for more information.