Apr 20, 2024  
2006-2007 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2006-2007 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

American Studies - Major


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Coordinator: Mary T. Bush, Ph.D., Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs

The American Studies major, leading to a B.A. degree, is an interdisciplinary approach that gives students an opportunity to concentrate on the development of American civilization as a whole rather than from the perspective of a separate department or discipline. Students choose from courses focusing on the study of American civilization in the areas of the Fine Arts (Art, Music, Theatre Arts), the Humanities (History, Literature, Philosophy, Religious Studies) and Natural and Social Sciences (Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Political Science, Science, Sociology)

American Studies Core


Students are required to take 36 credits in American Studies courses - 18 credits in the major core, 12 credits in an area of concentration (Fine Arts, Humanities, or Natural and Social Sciences) and 6 credits in electives from one or both areas not chosen as the area of concentration.

Related Area of Concentration


In addition to the Major Core Requirements above, students select 12 credits from an area of concentration: Fine Arts (Art, Music, Theatre Arts); Humanities (History, Literature, Philosophy, Religious Studies); Natural and Social Sciences (Science, Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Political Science, Sociology).

American Studies Electives


Students Select 6 credits in electives from outside the area of concentration - six from one area or three from each of two areas.

If the related area of concentration is Fine Arts, students may choose 6 credits from either the Humanities or the Natural and Social Sciences or three credits each from the Humanities and the Natural and Social Sciences.

If the related area of concentration is the Humanities, students may choose 6 credits from either the Fine Arts or Natural and Social Sciences or three credits each from Fine Arts and Natural and  Social Sciences.

If the related area of concentration is the Natural and Social Sciences, students may choose 6 credits from either Fine Arts or Humanities or three credits each from Fine Arts and Humanities.


The subject matter for Selected Studies/Special Topics courses must be American in nature for them to count toward this requirement.

Please note that this list of elective courses may change from year to year as departments add or delete courses.

American Studies Senior Experience


The Senior Experience (AMS 440) integrates the methods and materials of the interdisciplinary major. The seminar topic changes from year to year based on the needs and interests of the students. Particular attention is given to social and cultural aspects of the course. In addition senior majors take a comprehensive examination (AMS 499) - incorporating ideas from the various areas of study. This examination has both a written part and then an oral discussion of the work

Sample Program for American Studies - Major


Freshman Year


  • Perspectives I Credits: 3
  • Math and Science Perspectives I Credits: 7
  • Modern Foreign Language Credits: 6
As well as:

Sophomore Year


  • Perspectives I Credits: 12
  • Perspectives II Credits: 6
  • Math or Science Perspectives II Credits: 3
  • Electives Credits: 6 (ENGL 201 or 202 recommended)
As well as:

Junior Year


  • Upper Division Area of Concentration Credits: 6
  • Upper Division American Studies Elective Credits: 3
  • Electives Credits: 15
As well as:

Senior Year


  • Upper Division Area of Concentration Credits: 6
  • Upper Division American Studies Elective Credits: 3
  • Electives Credits: 18
As well as:

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