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Assistant Professors: Leiter and Williamson (Coordinators)
The American Studies major offers a comprehensive program in American civilization which introduces students to the complexities underlying the development of America and its contemporary life. The program develops the skills of research, writing, and critical thinking that are central to a well-rounded, liberal arts education. The major requires eleven courses relevant to the interdisciplinary study of American civilization and the completion of the American Studies colloquium. Two minor tracks are also available in the American Studies program. The American Studies minor requires five courses in similar areas as the major. The Multiculturalism minor requires five courses that concentrate on the issues of ethnic and racial diversity that define American society, art, and history.
Students should design their American Studies major in consultation with a program coordinator, and they must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA in order to complete the independent study requirement. With the appropriate faculty approval, some special topics courses (freshman seminars, ENGL 215, SOC 320, and so on) may fulfill American Studies requirements. Students pursuing another major or minor in addition to their American Studies major may count no more than three courses for credit toward both concentrations. Students may count no more than one course for credit toward both an American Studies minor and another major or minor.
1. Three Core Courses:
The primary integrating units of the major, these courses teach students to consider ideas from different points of view and help them to correlate information and methods from various disciplines:
AMST 200 Perspectives on America (freshman or sophomore year)
HIST 449, SOC 330, or PSCI 400 - Research and Methodology (junior or senior year; must be completed before or concurrently with AMST 489)
AMST 489 Independent Study (junior or senior year)
2. One course in the American arts:
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MUS 128
MUS 234
MUS N 80
FILM 112
THEA 335
THEA N 80
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American Music
History of Jazz
Studies in American Music
Multicultural Studies in Film, Television, and Video
Modern Drama
Studies in American Theatre
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3. Three courses in American humanities, with at least one from history and one from English:
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ENGL 222
ENGL 223
ENGL 229
HIST 125
HIST 126
HIST 226
HIST 230
HIST 247
HIST 328
HIST 332
HIST 335
HIST 340
PHIL 334
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American Literature I
American Literature II
African American Literature
United States History 1601-1877
United States History 1877-Present
Colonial America and the Revolutionary Era
African American History
Organized Crime in America
Age of Jefferson and Jackson
Civil War and Reconstruction
U.S. Since 1945
20th Century United States Religion
Contemporary Political Philosophy
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4. Three courses in American social sciences, with at least one from Political Science and one from Sociology:
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ECON 224
ECON 236
ECON 332
ECON 335
PSCI 110
PSCI 210
PSCI 211
PSCI 212
PSCI 213
PSCI 214
PSCI 316
PSCI 331
PSCI 332
PSCI 335
SOC 210
SOC 220
SOC 228
SOC 310
SOC 334
SOC 337
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Urban Problems
American Economic History
Government and the Economy
Labor Problems
U.S. Government and Politics
Communication and Society
State and Local Government
Political Parties
Congressional Politics
The Presidency
Public Opinion and Polling
Civil Rights and Liberties
Courts and the Criminal Justice System
Law and Society
Sociology of Mental Health and Illness
Sociology of Family
Aging and Society
Medical Sociology
Race and Multicultural Relations
The Anthropology of American Indians
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5. An additional course numbered 300 or higher from those listed above or an internship.
6. American Studies Colloquium: Juniors and seniors are required to complete ENGL 348 & 448 each semester they are a declared major for a maximum of four semesters.
Minors
The minor in American Studies requires five courses: AMST 200; one course from MUS 128, 234, THEA 212; one course from ENGL 222, 223, 229, HIST 125, 126, 226, 230, 247, 328, 332, 335, 340, one course from ECON 224, 236, 332, 335, PSCI 110, 211, 212, 213, 214, 243, 316, 331, 332, 335, SOC 220, 334, 337; and one additional course numbered 200 or higher from any listed above.
The minor in the Multiculturalism track of American Studies consists of five courses: AMST 200; SOC 334; and three courses from ECON 224, ENGL 229, HIST 230, MUS 234, SOC 337, THEA 212.
200
PERSPECTIVES ON AMERICA
An analysis of the fundamental nature of American culture, society, and politics and the interdisciplinary means for studying it. The course explores what is distinctively American and introduces students to the range of approaches taken to better understand topics covered in American studies. Alternate years.
348 & 448
AMERICAN STUDIES COLLOQUIUM
A non-credit seminar featuring guest, faculty, and student presentations on research, methodology, and related topics. Required of all junior and senior American Studies majors. Meets 2-4 times each semester. Pass/Fail.
470-479
INTERNSHIP (See Index)
N80-N89
INDEPENDENT STUDY
489
INDEPENDENT STUDY
An intensive interdisciplinary research project designed by the student in consultation with a faculty advisor.
490-491
INDEPENDENT STUDY FOR DEPARTMENTAL HONORS (See index)
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