American Studies (AMS)
Robert Bednar, PhD, Program Chair and Associate Professor of Communication Studies

American Studies Major
American Studies is an interdisciplinary major that focuses on the study of the complex interplay of the diverse cultures of North America, past and present. Students do coursework in a number of different disciplines--which exposes them to different content areas and time periods as well as discipline-specific methodologies--and work closely with the Adviser/Program Chair to integrate their knowledge and their approach to learning to produce an interdisciplinary method of critical inquiry into American society and culture that is more than the sum of its parts.

Of the 48 semester hours of coursework in the American Studies major, 21 hours are specified as Required Core Courses. The remaining 27 hours are chosen from courses cross-listed with American Studies or from the list of approved Allied Courses below with the guidance and approval of the Adviser/Program Chair. These courses must include work in at least two departments other than History, Communication Studies and English. Other courses not listed may also be included with the approval of the Chair if the content is appropriate to American Studies and contributes to the student's focus of interest. At least 30 hours in the major must be above the introductory level.

Major in American Studies: 48 semester hours, including Communication Studies 75-743; English 10-733, 753; History 16-223, 233, 413; American Studies 01-963 (Capstone); 27 additional hours from courses cross-listed with American Studies or from the list of Approved American Studies Allied Courses below (at least nine of these hours must be above the introductory level). At least six of these hours must be from two departments other than Communication Studies, English and History.

Approved American Studies Allied Courses:
 Anthropology 35-103, 203, 214
 Art History 71-653, 663
 Communication Studies 75-453, 473, 543, 603, 613
 Economics 31-013, 103, 213, 323, 513, 533, 573
 Education 40-553
 English 10-523, 713
 History 16-453, 463, 753
 Music 80-383
 Political Science 32-113, 313, 323, 363, 463, 514, 524, 534, 564, 713
 Religion 19-293
 Sociology 34-113, 123, 223, 233, 263, 313
 Theatre 74-613

 01-001, 002, 003, 004 SELECTED TOPICS. May be repeated with change in topic.

 01-301, 302, 303, 304 SELECTED TOPICS. May be repeated with change in topic.

 01-901, 902, 903, 904 TUTORIAL.

 01-941, 942, 943, 944 ACADEMIC INTERNSHIP. Must be taken Pass/D/F.

 01-951, 952, 953, 954 INDEPENDENT STUDY. May be repeated with change in content.

 01-963 AMERICAN STUDIES CAPSTONE. An interdisciplinary investigation, in depth, into aspects of the American experience. May be repeated for credit with change in content.

 01-983 HONORS.