Program Information
American Studies Programs and Requirements
An especially attractive feature of the American Studies program is its flexibility. With the broad parameters, you are largely able to design your own course of study. In addition, the American Studies program can easily accommodate a double major. For example, double majoring in American Studies and History, American Studies and English, or selecting a major and minor combination such as American Studies and Women's Studies. American Studies majors can earn New York State Provisional Certification in secondary education, and the program can meet the needs of most transfer students.
Bachelor of Arts Degree in American Studies
An Interdisciplinary Program
Total credit hours required to complete major: 40
Download curriculum guide sheet
| Basic Requirements | Hours (22) | |
|---|---|---|
| AMST 201 | Topics in American Studies: (subtitle) | 3 |
| AMST 2/3__ | A second course in American Studies | 3 |
| ENGL ___ | A course in American literature | 4 |
| HIST ___ | One course in American history before 1877 | 3 |
| HIST ___ | One course in American history after 1877 | 3 |
| One course exploring cultural intersections in America | 3 | |
| One course examining American cultures from a transnational, cross-border, comparative approach | 3 | |
| Elective hours in courses emphasizing American Studies selected under advisement (e.g., in American Studies**, anthropology, art history, communication, economics, English, film studies, geography, history, literature, management, music, philosophy, political science, sociology, and theater arts). At least 6 hours must be at the 300 level. | 18 | |
See the Undergraduate Bulletin for complete lists of courses fulfilling American Studies requirements and electives.
Guidelines for course selection:
- Students may take “AMST 201: (subtitle)” for credit toward the major twice, as long as the subtitle is different in each case.
- Electives must be selected from at least three different departments.
- Majors must earn a minimum of 18 semester hours in courses at the 300-level.
- A maximum of 9 semester hours may be taken at the 100-level.
- A grade of C- or better is required in all courses submitted in fulfillment of the 40-hour requirement for the American Studies major.
- Since a larger portion of this degree program consists of required electives, it will be necessary for students to select these in consultation with the program advisor.
Minor in American Studies
Download curriculum guide sheet
| Basic Requirements | Hours (22) | |
|---|---|---|
| AMST 201 | Topics in American Studies: (subtitle) | 3 |
| ENGL ___ | One course in American literature | 4 |
| HIST ___ | One course in American history before 1877 | 3 |
| HIST ___ | One course in American history after 1877 | 3 |
| One course exploring cultural intersections in America | 3 | |
| One course examining American cultures from a transnational, cross-border, comparative approach | 3 | |
| Elective hours in courses emphasizing American Studies selected under advisement (e.g., in American Studies*, anthropology, art history, communication, economics, English, film studies, geography, history, interdepartmental, literature, management, music, philosophy, political science, sociology, and theater arts). | 3 | |
See the Undergraduate Bulletin for complete lists of courses fulfilling American Studies requirements and electives.
Guidelines for course selection:
- Students may take “AMST 201: (subtitle)” for credit toward the minor twice, as long as the subtitle is different in each case.
- Minors must earn a minimum of 6 hours at the 300-level.
- A maximum of 9 hours may be taken at the 100-level of the 22 credits required for the minor.