The American Studies Program offers an interdisciplinary major for students who want to study the society and culture(s) of the United States by focusing on a central subject, theme, or set of questions. In consultation with the program director, each student chooses an adviser to define a thematic concentration within the major. For example, a student might define her concentration as one of the following:

Gender and American Culture
19th-Century American History and Literature
The African-American Experience
Culture and Society
Community in American Society

The American Studies major requires a minimum of 12 courses:

1. Two-semester sequence American History Survey, HIST BC1401 and 1402. ASH 3002y can substitute for HIST BC1401. Majors are urged to complete this requirement by the sophomore year. This requirement may be waived for those with scores of 4 (waives one semester) or 5 (waives two semesters) on the Advanced Placement Exam. Those students should substitute upper-level American history courses.

2. One semester of the American Literature sequence (ENG BC 3179, 3180, 3181, 3183).

3. Junior Colloquium: Cultural Approaches to the Past, AMST BC 3401. An introduction to theoretical approaches of American Studies, as well as methods and materials used in the interdisciplinary study of American society. Topics will vary.

4. Senior Seminar (AMST BC3703 and 3704). Individual research on topic related to major thematic concentration and preparation of senior thesis. In some cases, a senior seminar sequence may be substituted for AMST BC 3703 and 3704.

5. A set of at least six courses organized around a theme or subject. One of the six courses must be a seminar or colloquium. The program director and adviser must approve both the theme and set of courses the student selects for the concentration.

No minor is offered in American Studies.