Sample Course Schedule for an American Studies Major
| Freshman Year | Fall HU 103 - Conversatio I EN 105 - Freshman English Language AS100 - Introduction to American Studies |
Spring HU104 - Conversatio II Scientific Reasoning Language AS Eligible Course |
| Sophomore Year | Philosophical/Theological reasoning Language AS Eligible Course Elective (aethetic engagement) |
Philosophical/Theological reasoning AS Eligible Course AS Eligible Course Elective (social scientific awareness) |
| Junior Year | Philosophical/Theological reasoning AS Eligible Course Elective Elective (quantitative reasoning) |
Philosophical/Theological reasoning AS Eligible Course Elective (historical reasoning) Elective |
| Senior year | AS Eligible Course AS Eligible Course Elective Elective |
AS Eligible Course AS Elgible Course Elective Elective |
Students may use their elective course slots to fulfill a second major, a minor, internships, or other academic and career goals.
Director: Andrew Moore
American Studies is an interdisciplinary field of study that integrates history, political science, literature, economics, fine arts, sociology, theology, philosophy, criminal justice, and a variety of other disciplines to explore American (typically the United States) civilization. American Studies majors ask broad questions about the nature of American culture, civilization, and identity. Students of American Studies are challenged to question why American culture developed as it did and to explore what influences have shaped this nation's identity.
The major will consist of a total of 10 courses, distributed according to the following guidelines. See below for list of eligible courses.
1. AS100, Introduction to American Studies
2. 2 history courses from the list of eligible courses.
3. 1 Politics or 1 Sociology course from the list of eligible courses.
4. 1 English course from the list of eligible courses.
5. 1 Fine Arts course from the list of eligible courses.
6. 3 additional courses selected from the list of eligible courses below [one of these must come from departments not listed above - either Criminal Justice, Theology, Philosophy, or Politics / Sociology (the one not selected in #3)].
7. AS401, Independent Research. Working closely with a member of the faculty affiliated with the American Studies major, students will write an independent guided research paper. The supervising faculty member will be chosen by the student in consultation with the chair of the History Department. In addition, successful completion of the research project will require the approval of a second reader from the American Studies related faculty, also chosen in consultation with the chair of the History Department.
All majors must also pass a comprehensive exam.
List of Eligible Courses
- CJ 209 - Criminal Law
- CM 216 - Principles and Practices of Journalism
- EC 243 - Money and Banking
- EC 345 - Economics of the Great Depression
- ED 311 - Getting Schooled: The Politics & Promise of American Education
- EN 241 - Studies in Nineteenth-Century American Literature
- EN 242 - Studies in Modern American Literature
- EN 243 - Studies in Postmodern American Literature
- EN 245 - Introduction to African-American Literature
- EN 341 - Special Topics in Nineteenth-Century American Literature
- EN 342 - Special Topics in Twentieth-Century American Literature
- EN 344 - Literature of the Harlem Renaissance
- FAH 230 - The Arts of the United States and the Americas
- FAH 258 - History of Photography
- FAH 260 - The Cinematic Eye - A History of Film to 1945
- FAH 262 - Contemporary Film - 1945 to the Present
- MU 240 - American Music
- MU 241 - American Musical Theater
- MU 242 - Studies in Film Music
- MU 243 - Studies in Jazz History
- MU 246 - History of Rock and Roll
- HI 106 - The U.S. Presidency
- HI 199 - America: Origins to World Power
- HI 250 - United States History to 1877
- HI 251 - United States History from 1877
- HI 350 - Colonial North America
- HI 351 - Jacksonian America: 1824-1850
- HI 352 - The Civil War and Reconstruction: 1850-1877
- HI 354 - Contemporary America
- HI 355 - Modern American Foreign Relations
- HI 356 - The Old South
- HI 357 - United States Labor History
- HI 358 - History of New England
- HI 359 - American Women's History
- HI 361 - Civil Rights Movement
- HI 362 - The New South
- HI 374 - Special Topics: American History
- PH 323 - Philosophy of Education
- PH 341 - American Philosophy
- PO 102 - American Government
- PO 211 - Presidential Power
- PO 212 - Constitutional Law
- PO 213 - Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
- PO 219 - State and Local Government
- PO 235 - American Foreign Policy
- PO 248 - Public Policy Process
- PO 255 - Campaigns and Elections
- PO 258 - American Political Thought
- PO 353 - Politics of Diversity
- PO 446 - Selected Topics in American Politics
- PY 207 - Psychology of Gender
- PY 209 - Political Psychology
- SO 101 - Introduction to Sociology
- SO 205 - The Family
- SO 206 - Social Problems
- SO 228 - Sociology of Health and Illness
- SO 230 - Social Movements: People, Power and Change
- SO 309 - Gender and Society
- SO 330 - Race and Ethnic Relations
- SO 335 - Law and Society
- SO 342 - Social Inequality
- SO 343 - Economy and Society
- SO 344 - Political Sociology
- TH 302 - Religion in America