Catalog 2008-2009

American Studies (Ams)

Interdisciplinary Program

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 75-603; 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, 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, 713
Sociology 34-113, 123, 223, 233, 263, 313
Theatre 74-613

01-001, 002, 003, 004SELECTED TOPICS. May be repeated with change in topic.
01-301, 302, 303, 304SELECTED TOPICS. May be repeated with change in topic.
01-901, 902, 903, 904TUTORIAL.
01-941, 942, 943, 944ACADEMIC INTERNSHIP. Must be taken Pass/D/F.
01-951, 952, 953, 954INDEPENDENT STUDY. May be repeated with change in content.
01-963AMERICAN STUDIES CAPSTONE. An interdisciplinary investigation, in depth, into aspects of the American experience. May be repeated for credit with change in content.
01-983HONORS.