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.

Core Courses

Complete both of the following courses:

Complete two (2) of the following lower-level courses:

ENG 229 - Selected Studies in American Literature Crs:
HIS 143 - US from 1877 (this course is no longer offered)
SOC 111 - Social Problems Crs:
SOC 112 - The Family Crs:
POL 160 - Introduction to American Politics Crs:

Complete two (2) of the following upper-level courses:

ENG 303 - Historical Approaches to American Literature Crs:
ENG 304 - Genre Study in American Literature (Content varies. See program director of list of approved topics)
ENG 329 - Selected Studies in American Literature Crs: or
ENG 429 - Selected Studies in American Literature Crs:
HIS 311 - History of American Sexuality Crs:
HIS 346 - The United States Since 1945 Crs:
HIS 347 - History of Urban America Crs:
HIS 370 - Race and Ethnicity in United States Crs:
HIS 375 - Aspects of War Crs:
POL 252 - American Civil Rights Law and Policy Crs:
POL 343 - The American Presidency Crs:
POL 346 - Voting and Elections Crs:
POL 353 - Foreign Policy of the U.S. Crs:
POL 363 - American Social Policy Crs:
POL 381 - Congress and the Legislative Process Crs:
POL 382 - Constitutional Law Crs:
POL 395 - Topics in Political Theory Crs:
POL 481 - Seminar in American Politics Crs:
SOC 330 - Social Movements Crs:
SOC 331 - The Civil Rights Movement and Black Freedom Struggle in the United States Crs:
SOC 350 - Class Inequality Crs:
SOC 355 - Race and Ethnic Relations Crs:
SOC 356 - The State of Black America Crs:

Elective Courses

Complete two (2) of the following lower level courses:

ARH 260 - Modern American Art (Course no longer offered)
ECO 121 - Economics of Contemporary Issues Crs:
ECO 126 - Economics and Public Policy Crs:
ECO 140 - Nonprofit Economics Crs:
ENG 242 - Contemporary American Short Fiction Crs:
ENG 245 - Selected Studies in Popular Culture Crs:
ENG 275 - Selected Studies in Minority Literature Crs: or
ENG 324 - Selected Studies in Minority Literature Crs:
ENV 289 - Nature in the City Crs:
HIS 241 - African American History II
HIS 235 - American Graphic Media
HIS 207 - Women in the Modern United States
MUS 160 - History of Jazz Crs:
MUS 165 - History of Rock and Roll Crs:
PHI 226 - Philosophy of Education Crs:
PHI 240 - Topics in Philosophy Crs:
PHI 215 - Social and Political Philosophy Crs:
POL 120 - Problems in Political Though
POL 252 - American Civil Rights Law and Policy Crs:
REL 135 - Religion in America Crs:
THE 203 - History of American Film Crs:
THE 205 - History of American Musical Theatre Crs:
THE 206 - History of Radio and Television Crs:
THE 295 - History of American Theatre Crs:

Complete two (2) of the following upper level courses:

Any of the upper level core courses
ARH 365 - Special Studies: Modern American Art
ECO 321 - Labor Economics Crs:
ECO 325 - Distribution of Income and Wealth Crs:
ENV 305L - American Rivers
ENV 380 - American Environmental History Crs:
ENV 390 - Culture and Landscape Crs:
MUS 363 - American Music Crs:
PHI 302 - American Philosophy Crs:
PHI 308 - Topics in Ethics Crs: