| Four Year Plan |
AIS: American Studies (B.A.)
| Convener: | Faculty: | |
|---|---|---|
| Stephen Rice | Patricia Ard Meredith Davis (CA) Wayne Hayes (SSHS) Howard Horowitz (SSHS) |
Karl E. Johnson (SSHS) Carter Meyer Edward Shannon |
About the Major
The American Studies major encourages exploration of the character of the United States as a unique multicultural mosaic functioning within an emerging global order. The program bridges many disciplines as it focuses on the various expressions of American society contained in its history, art, and literature. Through an analysis of its political and social development, students gain insights into the national dynamic; and through inquiry and debate of an ethical standard, students gain a perspective to evaluate the nation's actions and beliefs.
Students majoring in American Studies receive a solid grounding in American culture in history to better understand its evolution; in political structure to better recognize the forces and instruments of change; in literature to experience American society from varied perspectives; and in the pluralism of our society, with particular attention to race, gender, and ethnicity. Course clusters and sequences exist in women's studies, African American studies, international outlooks, and social pluralism. At the upper level, students encounter course work relating to each of the following themes: America's role in the world, American regionalism, American thought and values, and American artistic expression. Inherent in the American Studies major is the recognition of the nation's developing response to the challenges and opportunities of an ever-expanding global commitment.
It is apparent, therefore, that American Studies graduates, having gained appreciation and comprehension of the changing global context, will enjoy increasing career choices as the demand for Americanists grows. Additionally, the major's liberal arts emphasis on thinking, analyzing, evaluating, and communicating provides excellent preparation for both career entry and graduate study. American Studies graduates find employment in a wide variety of fields, including education, communications, publishing, and historic preservation, as well as in museums and archives. Advanced degrees are most often pursued in law, business, museum studies and American studies.
The American Studies major leads to the B.A. degree, and is offered through the School of American and lnternational Studies.
A minor is not available.
Requirements of the Major
- Transfer students who have 48 or more credits accepted at the time of transfer are waived from the courses marked with a [W] below. Waivers only apply to General Education Requirements NOT School Core or Major Requirements.
- Double counting between General Education, School Core, and Major may be possible. Check with your advisor to see if any apply.
| Subject & Course # | Title & Course Description |
|---|---|
| GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS | |
| [W] | |
| SELECT ONE | |
| [W] OR | |
| [W] | |
| SELECT ONE | [W] GE-HISTORY CATEGORY: HIST 101-110 |
| SELECT ONE | GE-SCIENCE WITH EXPERIENTIAL COMPONENT CATEGORY |
| SELECT ONE | GE-MATHEMATICS CATEGORY: MATH 101-121 |
| SELECT ONE | GE-INTERCULTURAL NORTH AMERICA CATEGORY |
| SELECT ONE | GE-INTERNATIONAL ISSUES CATEGORY |
| SELECT ONE | [W] GE-TOPICS SOCIAL SCIENCE CATEGORY |
| SCHOOL OF AMERICAN AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES REQUIREMENTS | |
| [W] | |
| FOUNDATIONS I AND FOUNDATIONS II AND INTERMEDIATE I OR PROFICIENCY TEST (SEE AIS WORLD LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT) |
|
| AMERICAN STUDIES MAJOR REQUIREMENTS | |
| One Course from each of the following Intermediate Categories (200 level) *: | |
| American Literature (AMR 1) | |
| (was 202) | |
| (was 204) | |
| (was 217) | |
| (was 218) | |
| (was 221) | |
| (was 225) | |
| (was 227) | |
| (was 230) | |
| (was 240) | |
| (was 242) | |
| (was 252) | |
| (was 255) | |
| (was 280) | |
| (was 287) | |
| American Politics (AMR 3) | |
| Gender Issues (AMR 4) | |
| (was 225) | |
| African-American Studies (AMR 5) | |
| (was 230) | |
| (was 280) | |
| Multicultural Studies (AMR 6) | |
| (was 252) | |
| One Course from each of the following Advanced Categories (300-400 Level)* | |
| American Regionalism (AMR 7) | |
| (was 331) | |
| America in the World (AMR 8) | |
| American Thought and Values (AMR 9) | |
| American Artistic Expression (AMR A) | |
| (was 305) | |
| (was 308) | |
| (was 320) | |
| (was 331) | |
| (was 341) | |
| CHOOSE ONE (please see your advisor) | |
| 400-LEVEL INDEPENDENT STUDY | |
| 400-LEVEL DISCIPLINARY SEMINAR | |
| *Note: double counting between categories is not permitted; some courses may count toward General Education – see your advisor | |
Note: A 2.0 GPA in the major is required for graduation.



