Requirements for the Major

Requirements for the major

10 credits as follows:

• AMST 285: In Search of America
• PS 245: American Political Thought
• Four core courses - one from each of the following categories
  • Political Foundations: PHIL 230, PS 101, PS 362, PS 363
  • History: AMST 259, HIST 122, HIST 260, HIST 261, HIST 263, HIST 264, HIST 363, or HIST 366
  • Social Structure and Institutions: AMST 272, ANSO 103, ANSO 215, BKST 101, EDUC 201, ENVS 228, GWST 101, JOUR 323
  • Cultural Identity: AMST 243, AMST 260, AMST 307, ANSO 231, ANSO 233, ART 221, ART 225, ART 226, BKST 233, BKST 235, ENG 231, ENG 232, ENG 335, ENG 336, ENVS 232, GWST 206, GWST 325, MUS 120, PHIL 273, or THEA 378
• Four elective courses, which may be drawn from the core category courses above in any combination
• At least two courses for the major must focus upon a non-white American culture, history, or literature (one of these courses may include the same course being used to satisfy the college Understanding Diversity requirement, as long as it is drawn from one of the four core categories).
• No more than four 100-level courses will count for the major.
• At least three 300-level courses must be taken for the major.
• Two written projects
  • state of the field essay (completed in AMST 285)
  • capstone research project (AMST 390, 0 credit)
• Experiential Learning Activity: Majors will be required to choose and participate in one of the following off-campus programs: Washington Semester; ACM Urban Studies program; ACM Chicago Arts program; ACM Urban Education Term; an approved internship (e.g. museum, government agency, NGO).
• Oral Presentation (AMST 392, 0 credit)

Requirements for the minor

5 credits as follows:

• AMST 285: In Search of America
• PS 245: American Political Thought
• Three core courses - one course chosen from each of three core categories: History, Social Structure and Institutions, Cultural Identity as listed above.
• At least one course for the minor must focus upon a non-white American culture, history, or literature (this course may not include the same course being used to satisfy the college Understanding Diversity requirement).
• No more than two 100-level courses will count for the minor.
• At least one 300-level courses must be taken for the minor.

No more than two credits from a second major or minor shall be counted for the American Studies major or minor.

American Studies Course Descriptions
American Studies Department Main Page
American Studies Department Catalog Page