Race, class, ethnicity and gender figure centrally in our courses, whether they are treated historically, sociologically or aesthetically. Majoring in American Studies offers students great latitude as well as the opportunity to work closely with a faculty advisor in the senior year on a specific topic. Students may also fulfill this requirement by taking American Studies 11 or American Studies 12 twice when the topic changes. In addition, all majors will take American Studies 68, the Junior Seminar, and, in the senior year, American Studies 77 and 78 in order to write an interdisciplinary essay on an aspect of American experience. Ideally, majors take these courses in order, but study aborad or other contingencies may make this impossible in individual cases.
Students also take seven other courses about American society and culture.
At least three of these courses should be in one department or concentrated on a single theme. At least three of the seven courses should be devoted largely to the study of a period before the twentieth century. In response to the range of the majors' individual preferences and interest, departmental advisors are available for regular consultation. The advisor's primary function is to aid the student in the definition and achievement of his or her own educational goals. Departmental Honors Program.