American Studies Major
Major Description
American Studies is a dynamic, interdisciplinary field dedicated to the rigorous examination of the United States’ culture, history, and society through a synthesis of methodologies from history, literature, sociology, anthropology, cultural studies, and other disciplines. It explores the complexities of American experience, focusing on themes like national identity, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, class, and power dynamics. The field engages with diverse voices, cultural artifacts, and historical narratives, situating the U.S. within broader hemispheric and global contexts. By challenging simplistic or monolithic narratives, American Studies interrogates the nation’s central myths, values, and contradictions, fostering scholarship that is both inclusive and critically balanced. The field’s scope is expansive, encompassing the study of texts, media, social movements, institutions, material and visual culture, and more, exploring how U.S. identities are constructed, contested, and represented over time.
Students who complete the major will have the opportunity to attain a historically grounded, theoretically informed, and globally oriented understanding of the U.S. as a cultural, social, and political formation. Students will also gain facility with interdisciplinary methodologies, working through challenging questions by applying diverse analytical structures.
Major Format Change
Please note, beginning 2025-2026, the American Studies major will have undergone revision. Students belonging to the classes of 2026-2028 will have the option to choose between the old major format and the new major format. Beginning with the class of 2029, only the new major format will be available.
Admission to the Major
To pursue the old major format (available only to classes 2026-2028):
There is no required prerequisite to declare the major following the old format. See the “Major Requirements” section for further information.
To pursue the new major format (available to classes 2026-2028, mandatory for classes 2029 and beyond):
The prerequisite for becoming an American Studies major is taking a gateway course by the conclusion of the sophomore year. Gateway courses originate in the American Studies Department and include a combination of First Year Seminars and themed Introduction to American Studies courses. See Wesmaps for current courses.
To declare the major (whether following the old or new format), students must complete the following steps during the second semester of their sophomore year:
1. Declare the major through Wesportal
2. Complete and return the major declaration form to the AMST Administrative Assistant
Major Requirements
Please see the caveat above under “Major Format Change” regarding the change in the American Studies major beginning 2025-2026.
To pursue the old major format (available only to classes 2026-2028):
The old major format consists of eleven courses (twelve with a two-semester senior thesis, which includes an additional tutorial credit) as follows: one themed Introduction to American Studies course; one themed Junior Colloquium; AMST200: Colonialism and Its Consequences; two hemispheric and/or transnational courses; four courses in a designated concentration; three electives; and a capstone. Among these course specifications, certain overlaps may occur to not exceed the eleven required courses. There are three choices for the capstone: (1) a 300-level seminar that originates in the American Studies Department, (2) a one-semester senior essay, or (3) a two-semester senior thesis.
To pursue the new major format (available to classes 2026-2028, mandatory for classes 2029 and beyond):
The new major format consists of ten courses (eleven with a two-semester senior thesis, which includes an additional tutorial credit) as follows: One gateway course; five courses at the 200- or 300-level that originate in the American Studies Department; three elective courses at the 200-or 300-level that may be taken outside of the department with the approval of the advisor; and a capstone. There are three options for the capstone: (1) a 300-level seminar that originates in the American Studies Department, (2) a one-semester senior essay, or (3) a two-semester senior thesis.
Please see the American Studies website for a list of all courses that originate in the American Studies Department.
AMST Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to American Studies | 1 | |
| Junior Core Courses | ||
| AMST200 | Colonialism and Its Consequences in the Americas | 1 |
| Junior Colloquium | 1 | |
| Upper Level Electives | 3 | |
| Senior Requirement | 1 | |
| Pre-20th Century | 1 | |
| Hemispheric Americas & Transnational American Studies | 2 | |
| Concentration | 4 | |
Junior Core Courses
Junior core courses constitute the foundational base for the major. AMST200 and one junior colloquium are required of every major. The colonialism course situates American studies in a hemispheric frame of reference and introduces a variety of theoretical and methodological approaches to an intercultural analysis of the Americas. Junior colloquia explore in-depth a range of theoretical perspectives utilized in American studies, consider the history and changing shape of the multifaceted American studies enterprise, and engage students in research and analysis. Students may take more than one junior colloquium and count the second one as an elective.
Concentration and Electives
In addition to junior core courses and the senior requirement, the major includes seven upper-level electives that focus on the cultures of the Americas. The heart of each major’s course of study consists of a cluster of four courses among those electives that forms an area of concentration (these should be numbered AMST201 and above).
A concentration within American studies is an intellectually coherent plan of study (developed in consultation with an advisor) that explores in detail a specific aspect of the culture(s) and society of the United States. It may be built around a discipline (including history, literary criticism, government, or sociology), a field (such as cultural studies, ethnic studies, or queer studies), or a “problematic” (such as ecology and culture or politics and culture). As models and inspiration for prospective concentrators, we have developed descriptions of seven standing concentrations—queer studies, race and ethnicity, cultural studies, material culture, visual culture, historical studies, and literary studies—that we encourage majors to select or adapt. Majors may also devise their own concentrations. Among the latter in recent years have been concentrations in urban studies, disability studies, media studies, social justice, education, and environmental studies. In addition, to ensure chronological breadth, majors must include in their major at least one course that has a majority focus on American culture(s) in the period before 1900.
Hemispheric Americas and Transnational American Studies
Students are also asked to consolidate a hemispheric/transnational American studies focus by taking two courses that build on the comparative foundation supplied in AMST200. Hemispheric Americas and transnational American studies courses are identified on the AMST website (under “for majors”). Courses used to meet this requirement may also, as appropriate, be counted toward concentration, elective, or senior seminar requirements. A senior essay or thesis that utilizes a hemispheric or transnational American studies approach may count toward this requirement.
Pre-20th Century
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AMST213 | African American History, 1444-1877 | 1 |
| AMST229 Hymnody in the United States Before the Civil War | ||
| AMST231 | Guns and Society | 1 |
| AMST232 | American Architecture and Urbanism, 1770-1914 | 1 |
Language Requirement
There is no language requirement for the Major in American Studies.
Prizes
The Marni Goldstein White Award recognizes the best Honors Thesis written in American Studies each year.
Student Learning Goals
Upon completion of the major, students will be able to:
1. Attain a historically grounded, theoretically informed, and globally oriented understanding of the U.S. as a cultural, social, and political formation.
2. Work between and across interdisciplinary methodologies by approaching challenging questions through diverse analytical structures.
3. Gain practical skills in critical writing, multi-modal research, verbal presentation and communication, and close reading.
Honors
With departmental approval, students may complete a two-semester senior honors thesis. Students wishing to pursue a senior honors thesis should refer to the instructions on the department website regarding the application process, which occurs during the spring of the junior year. Students completing a thesis will enroll in a two-semester tutorial with a faculty advisor during their senior year. The thesis is typically 75 pages in length, reflects original research, and is evaluated for honors by two additional faculty members. The faculty advisor provides a letter grade for the two-semester tutorials.
Capstone Experience
There are three options for the capstone in the American Studies Major.
1. Students may take a 300-level course originating in the American Studies Department.
2. Students may complete a one-semester senior essay. The senior essay may be completed in the fall or spring of the senior year under the guidance of a faculty advisor. The student must secure a faculty advisor during the prior academic year. The essay is typically 25-30 pages in length, reflects original research, and is graded by the faculty advisor.
3. With departmental approval, students may complete a two-semester senior honors thesis. Students wishing to pursue a senior honors thesis should refer to the instructions on the department website regarding the application process, which occurs during the spring of the junior year. Students completing a thesis will enroll in a two-semester tutorial with a faculty advisor during their senior year. The thesis is typically 75 pages in length, reflects original research, and is evaluated for honors by two additional faculty members. The faculty advisor provides a letter grade for the two-semester tutorials.