Greg Kinzer, Director
American Studies is an interdisciplinary major that explores the diverse character of American intellectual and cultural life, both past and present. The program engages the United States as well as its place in a global world from a wide range of disciplinary perspectives.
American Studies helps students develop critical skills in cultural analysis, gain a knowledge of and appreciation for the diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, gender roles, class backgrounds, and other forms of diversity in American society, and develop a broad and multidisciplinary perspective of the U.S. so as to better understand its past, present, and possible futures.
A student majoring in American studies must complete a minimum of nine appropriate course credit units, including American Studies 231. Normally the latter course will have been taken by the middle of the major’s junior year. Other courses may be substituted for American Studies 231 with the approval of the director.
Other options include the courses, directed studies, and independent studies offered by a variety of disciplines where content is relevant to an American Studies major. Appropriate subject areas include art, economics, English, history, music, philosophy, political science, psychology, religious studies, sociology, and theatre. Each student plans an individualized course of study under the guidance of the program director for American Studies.
A minor in American studies consists of a minimum of six course credit units, including American Studies 231 (or an approved substitute) and the following:
One course focused on American art, film, literature and/or music, such as:
- Arth 250 – Topics in Art History (depending on topic)
- Arth 343 – Modern Art and Architecture (depending on topic)
- Eng 250, 251, 252 (depending on topic)
- Eng 353 – Studies in 19th Century American Literature
- Eng 363 – Studies in 20th Century American Literature
- Film 201 – Film Culture (depending on topic)
- Film 450 – Advanced Topics in Film Studies (depending on topic)
- Mus 114 – Rock ‘N’ Roll
- Mus 118 – 20th-century American music
- Mus 342 – Aspects of 20th Century Music (depending on topic)
- One course focused on American ethnic experience, such as:
- Eng 250, 251, 252 (depending on topic)
- Eng 353 – Studies in 19th Century American Literature (depending on topic)
- Eng 363 – Studies in 20th Century American Literature (depending on topic)
- Hist 282 – Civil Rights: 1945 – present
- Hist 250/350 – Topics in History (depending on topic)
- Hist 284 – The History of Texas
- Hist 329 – The Spanish Borderlands
- Anth 236 – Anthropology of the City (depending on topic)
- Anth 362 – Immigration Policy and the Immigrant Experience
- Anth 365 – Race & Ethnic Relations
- GS 250 – Intro to Southwestern Studies
One course focused on American culture before 1900, such as:
- Eng 250, 251, 252 (depending on topic)
- Eng 353 – 19th-Century American literature
- Hist 162 – US History to 1876
- Hist 284 – The History of Texas
- Hist 329 – The Spanish Borderlands
- Hist 361 – American Colonial History & Revolutionary War Era
- Hist 363 – Civil War & Reconstruction
- Hist 364 – United States: Gilded Age and Progressive Era
One course focused on scientific or social scientific study of American culture, such as:
- Anth 236 – Anthropology of the City (depending on topic)
- Anth 362 – Immigration Policy and the Immigrant Experience
- Anth 365 – Race & Ethnic Relations
- Psci 110 – American Government
- Psci 120 – American Political Thought
- Psci 310 – Congress
- Psci 311 – The Presidency
- Psci 315 – Campaigns and Elections
- Psci 410 – US Constitutional Law
- Psci 432 – US Foreign Policy
- Soc 121 – Marriage and Family (depending on topic)
- Soc 241 – Sex and Gender in Society
- Soc 385 – Social Movements
The same course may count toward more than one of the above listed requirements, if appropriate (please consult with the director prior to enrollment). Many departments offer topics courses appropriate to the above categories in addition to the courses listed here, and these courses may be included with director’s approval. Of the required coursework, at least two courses must be numbered 200 or above, and one course must be numbered 300 or above.
231 Introduction to American Studies
An exploration of the interdisciplinary field of American Studies through a rich array of materials, themes and approaches from many disciplines, including American literature, visual studies, popular culture, border studies, and ethnic studies, among others. The course examines key debates and social movements in American culture from a variety of these approaches in order to gain a deeper – and more inclusive – understanding of the richness and diversity of American experience. (Offered on an occasional basis)
250 Intermediate Topics in American Studies
A study of selected topics and issues offered on an occasional basis. May be repeated when topic varies.
260 Intermediate Directed Study
(Variable course credit)
350, 450 Advanced Topics in American Studies
An advanced study of selected topics in American studies offered on an occasional basis. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. May be repeated when topic varies.
460 Advanced Directed Study
(Variable course credit)
490 Independent Study
