The department has proposed reorganizing the program as an interdisciplinary concentration. Students interested in American studies should be aware of this possibility as they plan their academic programs.
American studies is an interdisciplinary field that considers American culture as a whole.
The introductory course in American civilization, which explores cultural themes through historical and literary documents and other resources, provides the foundation for further work in the field. The requirements of the major provide structure and sequence to the study of a complex culture, but a great deal of latitude remains within the major for students to pursue individual interests. The traditional union of history and literature now includes many other disciplines as well, such as art, music, theatre, anthropology, economics, philosophy, political science, religious studies, and sociology. The department makes special efforts to provide visiting speakers, colloquia, and field trips to give additional perspectives on American culture and to represent the advantages of interdisciplinary scholarship. Majors in American studies subsequently pursue careers in many fields, such as law, government, social and volunteer work, teaching at all levels, journalism, business, museum work, and historical research and preservation.