Nov 25, 2024

2011-2012 Undergraduate Catalog

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2011-2012 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

American Studies - Major

Program Director: Cynthia Eisen

The American studies major, leading to a B.A. degree, takes 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 History, the Humanities, and the Social Sciences. Additionally, student learning opportunities will include not only how we view and define ourselves as Americans, but also how the world views us and why they do.

American Studies Core

Students are required to take 37 credits in American Studies courses - 19 credits in the major core and 18 elective credits.

Major Core Requirements

AMS 340 - Bibliographic Methods for American Studies Credits: 1
AMS 440 - American Studies Seminar Credits: 3
AMS 499 - American Studies Comprehensive Credits: 0
ENGL 203 - Survey of American Literature I Credits: 3
ENGL 204 - Survey of American Literature II Credits: 3
HIS 205 - PI American Republic I: Exploration Through Reconstruction Credits: 3
HIS 206 - PI American Republic II: Gilded Age to the Present Credits: 3
PHL 390 - PII American Philosophy Credits: 3

American Studies Electives

Students must take 6 elective courses. Elective courses are drawn from Areas A, B , and C. At least 2 courses are required from each area as listed below and should be clustered to represent a coherent focus. This should be done in consultation with the student’s AMS advisor.

Please note that this list of elective courses may change from year to year as departments add or delete courses. Selected Studies/Special Topics courses will be evaluated as offered by departments within the 3 areas of concentration. In addition, some courses may have pre-requisites.

Area A (History)

HIS 316 - PII History of Science in America Credits: 3
HIS 320 - PII American Women’s History Credits: 3
HIS 323G - PII Native American I: Pre-Columbian Credits: 3
HIS 324G - PII Native American II: Removal-Present Credits: 3
HIS 333G - PII Vietnam War Credits: 3
HIS 342 - PII Civil War and Reconstruction Credits: 3
HIS 407 - Early American National Period - 1789- 1848 Credits: 3
HIS 408 - PII The American Colonies Credits: 3
HIS 409 - The American Revolution, 1765-1789 Credits: 3
HIS 410 - PII American Ethnic History Credits: 3
HIS 411 - PII People, Issues and Ideas in America Credits: 3
HIS 412 - PII United States Foreign Policy Credits: 3

Area B (Humanities)

AHI 379 - PII American Art Credits: 3
COMM 340 - PII Cinema Studies Credits: 3
COMM 341 - Race and Ethnicity in Media Credits: 3
COMM 410 - Gender, Sexuality, and the Media Credits: 3
COMM 440 - Rhetoric of Popular Culture Credits: 3
ENGL 321 - 20th Century American Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 340 - PII Cinema Studies Credits: 3
ENGL 341 - Race and Ethnicity in Media Credits: 3
ENGL 344 - PII African-American Literature I Credits: 3
ENGL 345 - PII African-American Literature II Credits: 3
ENGL 346 - PII Latino/a Literature Credits: 3 to 4
ENGL 347 - PII American Ethnic Experience Through Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 348 - PII Earthscape: American Nature Writers Selected Topics Credits: 3
MUS 203 - PII Jazz Credits: 3
MUS 204 - PII America’s Music Credits: 3
MUS 209 - PII History of Rock and Roll Credits: 3
MUS 210 - PII African-American Music Credits: 3
RES 236 - PII Religion in America Credits: 3
RES 261 - PII Malcolm and Martin: A Study of the American Civil Rights Movement Credits: 3
RES 338 - PII Merton: Mystic and Prophet Credits: 3
RES 343 - PII Sociology of Religion Credits: 3
THA 270 - PII American Musical Theatre Credits: 3

Area C (Social Sciences)

ANT 319G - PII Native American People/Culture Credits: 3
ANT 330G - PII Anthropology of Dance Credits: 3
ECO 331 - Money and Banking Credits: 3
ECO 370 - Health Care Policy Credits: 3
PSC 301 - PII American Government and Politics Credits: 3
PSC 302 - State and Local Government Credits: 3
PSC 305 - PII The American Presidency Credits: 3
PSC 308 - PII United States Constitutional History Credits: 3
PSC 340 - Campaigns, Voters and Elections Credits: 3
PSC 341 - PII Healthcare Politics: U.S. Policy in Comparative Perspective Credits: 3
PSC 342 - PII US Social Policy in Comparative Perspective Credits: 3
PSC 355 - Criminal Trials: History, Context and Practice Credits: 3
PSC 412 - PII United States Foreign Policy Credits: 3
PSC 417 - Constitutional Law and the Media Credits: 3
PSY 228 - Social Psychology Credits: 3
PSY 352G - PII Multicultural Psychology Credits: 3
SOC 204 - PII Social Problems Credits: 3
SOC 342 - Sociology of Homelessness Credits: 3
SOC 361 - PII Mass Media and Popular Culture Credits: 3
SOC 409 - PII Crime and Justice Credits: 3
SOC 410 - PII Race, Ethnicity & Society Credits: 3

American Studies Senior Experience

The Senior Experience 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 complete a significant research/portfolio project that incorporates ideas from the various areas of study. This examination has both a written part and then an oral discussion of the work

AMS 440 - American Studies Seminar Credits: 3
AMS 499 - American Studies Comprehensive Credits: 0

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:

ENGW 101 - College Writing I: Exposition Credits: 3
ENGW 102 - College Writing II: Argument & Research Credits: 3
FRS 101 - Freshman Seminar Credits: 3
HIS 205 - PI American Republic I: Exploration Through Reconstruction Credits: 3
HIS 206 - PI American Republic II: Gilded Age to the Present Credits: 3

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:

ENGL 203 - Survey of American Literature I Credits: 3

Junior Year

Upper Division Area of Concentration Credits: 6
Upper Division American Studies Elective Credits: 3
Electives Credits: 15

As well as:

AMS 340 - Bibliographic Methods for American Studies Credits: 1
ENGL 204 - Survey of American Literature II Credits: 3
PHL 390 - PII American Philosophy Credits: 3

Senior Year

Upper Division Area of Concentration Credits: 6
Upper Division American Studies Elective Credits: 3
Electives Credits: 18

As well as:

AMS 440 - American Studies Seminar Credits: 3
AMS 499 - American Studies Comprehensive Credits: 0