American Studies Major with Inclusive Childhood/Middle Childhood Education 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.

Students seeking initial certification at the childhood and middle childhood levels may double major in American studies and inclusive childhood/middle childhood education. Students are required to have a minimum GPA of 2.7 before moving into INCL 440/441 and the Professional Semester (student teaching).

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.

Required Courses for Inclusive Childhood/Middle Childhood Education Major

The following courses are required for the Inclusive Childhood/Middle Childhood Education major. The major prepares students for the initial teacher certification requirements in four certification areas: Childhood Education (Grades 1-6), Teaching Students with Disabilities at the Childhood Level (Grades 1-6), Middle Childhood Education - Generalist or Content Specialist (Grades 5-9), and Teaching Students with Disabilities at the Middle Childhood Level (Grades 5-9). (See note regarding certification changes under the Department of Inclusive Childhood Education.)

*Students in the Inclusive Childhood/Middle Childhood major who are pursuing a B.A. degree must take all electives in liberal arts areas in order to earn the 90 liberal arts credits that are required for the degree.

SPF 204 - History and Philosophy of Education Credits: 3
EDU 475 - Health Education, Child Abuse, and Violence Prevention Workshop Credits: 0
INCH 355 - Introduction to Literacy and Differentiated Learning Credits: 3
INCH 360 - Inclusive Practices in the Construction of Meaning in Mathematics and Science Credits: 3
INCH 370 - Learning Theory and Curriculum for Diverse Learners Credits: 3
INCH 372 - Developmentally Appropriate Strategies for Literacy in the Content Areas Credits: 3
INCH 440 - Curriculum and Planning for Diverse Learners Credits: 3
INCH 441 - Field Work in Inclusion At the Chilhood /Middle Childhood Level Credits: 3
INCH 455 - Behavior Management Credits: 3
INCH 460 - Integrating the Arts and Technology for Individualized Needs Credits: 3
INCH 464 - Reflective Seminar Credits: 3
INCH 466 - Student Teaching Credits: 6
INCH 474 - Current Issues in Inclusive Education 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