American Studies Minor

Program Overview

The American studies minor gives students the opportunity to explore the diverse culture of the United States in an interdisciplinary context. In consultation with an American studies advisor, students are encouraged to shape an individualized course of study to meet their own academic goals.

Requirements (18 credits)

Section 1

Required Course

AMS 110	Introduction to American Studies	3
Total Credit Hours:		3

Section 2

3 credits from the following:

ENG 210	Survey of American Literature: Pre-Civil War	3
ENG 212/AFAM 212	African-American Literature	3
ENG 341	American Romanticism	3
ENG 343	Modern American Literature	3
ENG 344	Contemporary American Literature	3
ENG 345/AFAM 345	Modern African-American Literature	3
ENG 448	Advanced Studies in American Literature	3
Total Credit Hours:		3

ENG 212 and ENG 345: At least 3 credits must represent diversity in American society. ENG 212 and ENG 345 satisfy this requirement.

Section 3

3 credits from the following:

HIST 161	American History to 1877	3
HIST 330/WGSS 330	History of Women in the United States, 1607-1865	3
HIST 331/WGSS 331	History of Women in the United States, 1865-Present	3
HIST 369	African-American History	3
Total Credit Hours:		3

HIST 369 and HIST 469: At least 3 credits must represent diversity in American society. HIST 369 and HIST 469 satisfy this requirement.

Section 4

3 credits from the following:

PS 110	American Government & Politics	3
PS 331	American Constitutional Law	3
PS 332	Civil Liberties	3
PS 430	The American Presidency	3
PS 431	The Legislative Process	3
Total Credit Hours:		3

Section 5

3 credits from the following:

ENG 210	Survey of American Literature: Pre-Civil War	3
ENG 212/AFAM 212	African-American Literature	3
ENG 341	American Romanticism	3
ENG 343	Modern American Literature	3
ENG 344	Contemporary American Literature	3
ENG 345/AFAM 345	Modern African-American Literature	3
ENG 448	Advanced Studies in American Literature	3
HIST 161	American History to 1877	3
HIST 330/WGSS 330	History of Women in the United States, 1607-1865	3
HIST 331/WGSS 331	History of Women in the United States, 1865-Present	3
HIST 369	African-American History	3
PS 110	American Government & Politics	3
PS 331	American Constitutional Law	3
PS 332	Civil Liberties	3
PS 430	The American Presidency	3
PS 431	The Legislative Process	3
Total Credit Hours:		3

ENG 212, ENG 345, HIST 369, and HIST 469: At least 3 credits must represent diversity in American society. ENG 212, ENG 345, HIST 369, and HIST 469 satisfy this requirement.

Section 6

3 credits from the following:

ANTH 352	Ethnicity and Ethnic Identity	3
ANTH 422
ART 215	The African Diaspora	3
ART 414	American Art	3
CRM 110	Introduction to the Criminal Justice System	3
GEOG 241	Introduction to Planning	3
GEOG 330	United States and Canada	3
MUS 401	Topics in Music	1-3
PHIL 382	Special Topics in Philosophy	3
PHIL 400	Seminar in Philosophy	3
PS 331	American Constitutional Law	3
PS 332	Civil Liberties	3
PS 430	The American Presidency	3
PS 431	The Legislative Process	3
REL 257	Special Topics in Religion	3
SOC 322	Race and Ethnic Relations	4
SOC 455	Men, Masculinity, and Manhood	4
SOC 485	Ads, Fads, and Consumer Culture	4
Total Credit Hours:		3

ANTH 352, ART 215, GEOG 330, and SOC 322: At least 3 credits must represent diversity in American society. ANTH 352, ART 215, GEOG 330, and SOC 322 satisfy this requirement.

ART 215 and SOC 322: Note prerequisites

MUS 401, PHIL 382, PHIL 400, and REL 257: Under section or topic approved by the American Studies Committee

Students may take AMS 490: Internship in American Studies as a substitute for one of the courses listed in sections 5 or 6.

Note: At least 6 credits must be at the 300/400 level.

Total Credit Hours: 18

Other course options may be available if they focus specifically on some aspect of American culture; consult the American Studies coordinator, Mathew Foust (Department of Philosophy) at [e-mail] or Aimee Pozorski (Department of English) at [e-mail] for current options.