American Studies, B.A.

Requirements for the Major:

A minimum of 13 courses, including the three required core courses (at least one core course must be from English and one from History) should be completed by the end of student’s junior year. The core courses are:

• EGL 100 - Introduction to the Study of Literature: Poetry
• EGL 101 - Introduction to the Study of Literature: Fiction
• HST 101 - History of the United States to the Civil War
• HST 102 - History of the United States Since the Civil War
• HST 113 - The Origins of American Society
• HST 131 - African-American History I
• HST 132 - African-American History II
• HST 212 - Women in Colonial and Victorian America or
• HST 213 - Women in Modern America

Additional Requirements

In consultation with his or her American Studies academic advisor, a student must complete five (5) courses of intensive study around a specific theme centered on either an era (such as antebellum America or the United States since the Cold War) or a topical focus (such as the emergence of mass culture or ethnicity and race in American life). For example, a concentration on 19th Century America might include:

• AMU 130 - American Music
• EGL 232 - (228) The American Renaissance
• HST 118 - Civil War and Reconstruction
• HST 215
• PHL 341 - Twentieth Century Philosophy and/or
• PSC 332 - American Political Thought To World War I
• PHL 264 - Philosophy of American Education

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• or a thematic concentration on progressive America; civil rights and social justice might include

• AAH 460 - Seminar: Visual Culture, Race & Gender
• ECO 345 - Nonprofits, Cooperatives, and Other Non-Traditional Firms
• EGL 248 - (274) Introduction to Black Poetry
• HST 231 - The Civil Rights Movement
• HST 312 - History of Women’s Rights in the United States
• PHL 264 - Philosophy of American Education 
• PSC 266 - Women and Politics
• PSC 283 - Social Movements, the Environment and Society and/or
• PSC 371 - Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

Additional Themes

Additional possible themes are listed on the Union College website. One of the five theme courses must come from Division I (Arts and Humanities), and one from Division II (Social Sciences). In addition, the thematic courses must come from at least three different departments. Every student must complete an American Studies course selection list with his or her American Studies advisor to determine which courses would best fulfill his or her theme and to find out how often the courses are offered. All courses counted towards the major must have American Studies course approval.

An additional two (2) American Studies approved courses, which can be at any level and may be outside the student’s thematic concentration.

During the junior year one additional upper level American Studies approved course, preferably a WAC and a methods or theory course. If possible, the course should be related to the thematic concentration. If not taken in the junior year, this course must be completed by the end of the student’s senior year.

A two-term written thesis or two-term senior project (AMS 498-499) related to the student’s thematic concentration. To fulfill the Writing Across the Curriculum (WS) requirement, the senior project (which may be done in a non-text medium such as audio, video, or multi-media) must have a written component in the form of a journal that results in a final paper of at least 15 pages. A student will work with a primary, or 1st thesis advisor, and a 2nd thesis advisor from a different department whom the student must consult early during the research portion of the project to better ensure the interdisciplinary focus of the thesis. Both thesis advisors will participate in the oral defense of the thesis at the completion of the project. A student must consult with the American Studies program director by the third week of spring term of his or her junior year and submit a thesis proposal listing their preferred 1st and 2nd thesis advisors.

One of the 13 courses must cover issues of race and ethnicity or gender in America, and no course can double count towards the student’s minor or if one is being pursued. Two courses from either Parts I, II or III must be from Division I (Arts and Humanities), and two must be from Division II (Social Sciences). At least 1 of the courses in Parts I, II or III must be a WAC course.

Thematic Concentration: The following are possible thematic concentrations for an American Studies major, interdepartmental major or minor (these are only suggestions, there are many more possibilities): The Colonial Era; American Revolution through the Civil War; 19th Century America; Contemporary America: c. 1960-present; Latino(as) in US History & Culture; Comparative American Ethnic Studies; America in the World; American Identity: Race, Class & Gender; American Modernism; American Creativity in the 20th-21st Century; Progressive America: Civil Rights and Social Justice; American Industrialization: The Environment, Society and Labor; American Media & Popular Culture; Visual Culture and Social Justice. See program website for list of additional possible themes and supporting courses.

Requirements for Honors:

To receive honors as an American Studies major or an ID major, a student must (1) have a cumulative grade point average of 3.3; (2) maintain a grade point average of 3.3 in his or her American Studies approved courses; (3) successfully complete a two term senior thesis with a grade of A or A-; (4) receive a high pass or pass with distinction for the oral thesis defense; (5) give an oral presentation at The Steinmetz Symposium in the spring of his or her senior year; and (6) place a copy of the thesis in the library archives. Further guidelines for the senior thesis and honors are available from the program director.