The American Studies Concentration is an interdisciplinary program of study that encourages a deeper understanding of the peoples and cultures of the United States and an appreciation of their place in the changing world. American Studies uses a range of materials, methodologies, and disciplinary perspectives to illuminate topics ranging from politics to popular culture. This is an 18 credit concentration. Students must have a primary concentration in the College of Business or a major in the College of Arts and Sciences. Students completing an American Studies Concentration will demonstrate the ability to:
- Analyze a wide variety of cultural and social artifacts in order to contribute to a richer understanding of the United States.
- Synthesize diverse scholarly approaches and theories in the study of the United States and its place in the world.
- Describe the diversity of “American experiences” both within and outside of the nation’s geographical and political boundaries.
- Demonstrate understanding of the significance of United States culture and politics in other parts of the globe.
- Communicate research findings and interpretations clearly and effectively.
American Studies Concentration Requirements
| Introduction to American Studies | ||
HIS (one 300 or 400 level U.S. History course) | ||
POLS or ECO (one Americanist Political Science or Economics course) | ||
LCS (one Americanist LCS course) | ||
Elective (one Americanist elective from LCS, HSS, or ECO Departments) | ||
| Directed Study in Literary and Cultural Studies 1 | ||
or HIS 497 | Directed Study in History | |
| 1 | One Directed Study "Senior Project" conducted with an instructor in the LCS or HIS Department. |