American Studies Major

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American Studies is an interdisciplinary major/minor that educates students for responsible leadership and productive careers. It encourages students to use multiple academic disciplines and perspectives to explore the complexity and diversity of this nation’s history, literature, and culture. Students learn the role of ideas, discourse, and events in creating American culture. They examine the interplay of race, regional identity, politics, capitalism, globalization, and popular culture in developing an American identity.

Major Requirements

Majors complete ten (10) courses from at least five disciplines, including at least one class from each of the four core departments (English, History, Political Science, and Sociology). Students must also take at least one class from a department outside the four core departments. While study abroad is encouraged, a maximum of five (5) transfer courses will be counted toward the major.

Required (2 courses)

Required Lower-level (2 courses)

HIS 240 - Historical Methodology: U.S.
SOC 111 - Social Problems
SOC 112 - The Family
POL 160 - Introduction to American Politics
POL 161 - Issues in American Politics
Additional courses: ENG 1XX, ENG 2XX and HIS 120 may also count when noted as ‘AMST course’ in the online schedule of courses.

Required Upper-level (2 courses)

Complete two 300- or 400-level AMST designated courses from HIS, POL or SOC.

Electives (4 courses)

Complete two lower-level (100/200-level) AMST designated courses and two upper-level (300/400-level) AMST designated courses from: AAAS, ASJ, ART,CMC, ECO, ENG, ENV, FIL, HIS, MUS, PHI, POL, REL, SOC and THE.

NOTE: At least one elective must be outside of ENG, HIS, POL or SOC.