Undergraduate Major in American Studies

The Bachelor of Arts degree program in American Studies is an interdisciplinary program with concentration iin American literature, American history, and a third related discipline or thematic unit (see item 3.A.7 below).

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies:

  1. The University requirements for B.A. degrees is described in the Undergraduate Education section of the catalog. For the B.A. in American Studies, 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required. The University's Tier II writing requirement for the American Studies major is met by completing History 480. That course is reference in item 3.A.5 below.
  2. The requirements of the College of Arts and Letters for the B.A. degree, with the exception of the College's cognate requirement.
  3. The following courses related to American Studies for 47 to 56 credits:
  Course Credits
A One of the following courses:
AMS 210: American Popular Culture
AMS 265: Transcultural Perspectives
4
3
B One of the following courses:
AMS 250: American Arts
AMS 280: Major Themes in American Studies
3
3
C All of the following courses:
AMS 310: Topics in American Studies
HST 202: U.S. History of 1876
HST 203: U.S. History Since 1876
3
4
4
D ENG 481: Modern Literary Theory, and one other course in American literature 6 to 8
E HST 480: Seminar in American History, and one additional 300 or 400 level course in American history 6 to 8
F Two courses emphasizing a culture other than the United States, one of which may be AMS 265: Transcultural Perspectives. (Foreign language courses at the 300-400 level may be counted toward this requirement.) 6 to 8
G

Three courses in one of the following areas, or in another area. Both the area and the related courses must be approved by the student's academic adviser.

  • Black American and Diasporic Studies
  • American Indian Studies
  • Asian American Studies
  • Canadian Studies
  • Chicano Studies
  • Cultural Studies
  • Film Studies
  • History of Art
  • Latin American Studies
  • Political Science
  • Religious Studies
  • Science and Technology Studies
  • Urban and Metropolitan Studies
  • Women's Studies
9 to 12
H AMS 492: Seminar in American Studies, the capstone seminar.
This course will include or complement a capstone experience involving an internship, field study, senior thesis, or overseas study approved by the student's academic adviser.		 3

 

Substitutions for the above requirements may be approved by the student's academic adviser.