Requirements for the Interdepartmental Major:
The purpose of the American Studies Interdepartmental major is to allow students the opportunity to cultivate a multi-dimensional picture of our culture as a complement to or in relation to another area of concentration, be it Middle Eastern history or an area of interest outside the humanities and social sciences. As with the full American Studies major, interdepartmental majors must focus their coursework around a coherent topic, either chronologically or thematically. (See possible choices above under major.)
A student must complete a minimum of eight (8) courses, including one English and one history core course. (See comprehensive list under major )
In consultation with his or her American Studies academic advisor, a student must complete four (4) courses with either an historic or thematic concentration from the American Studies approved course list. (See possible themes under major requirements.) One of the four must come from Division I (Arts & Humanities) and one from Division II (Social Sciences). The eight required courses must be from at least three different departments and have American Studies course approval. (See list of courses under requirements for major)
During the junior year, a student must take one (1) additional upper level American Studies approved course that is preferably both a WAC and a methods or theory course. If possible, the course should be on a topic 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.
During the senior year, a student must complete a two-term written thesis or two-term senior project (AMS 498, AMS 499 or IDM 498 , IDM 499 ) related to the student’s thematic concentration, or a WAC/WS course with American Studies approval. The ID thesis should combine work on the student’s American Studies theme with work in the other ID program or department. To fulfill the (WS) Writing Across the Curriculum 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 fifteen pages. A student will work with a primary, or first, thesis advisor and a second 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. The other department or program may also assign the student a thesis advisor. A student must consult with the American Studies program director by the fifth week of spring term of his or her junior year and submit a thesis proposal listing his/her preferred first and second thesis advisors.
One of the eight (8) courses must cover issues of race and ethnicity or gender in America, and no course can double count towards the student’s minor if one is being pursued. At least three (3) courses must be from Division I (Arts and Humanities), and at least three (3) from Division II (Social Sciences.) At least one of the non-core courses must be an approved 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; The American Revolution through the Civil War; 19th Century America; Contemporary America: c. 1960-present; Latino(as) in U.S. 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 a list of additional possible themes and supporting courses.