Dec 22, 2024  
2020-2021 Hill Book (Class of 2024) 
    
2020-2021 Hill Book (Class of 2024) [ARCHIVED HILL BOOK]

American Studies, B.A.


Program Director:

Andrea Opitz
Office: Cushing Martin 127
Phone: 508-565-1305
aopitz@stonehill.edu

 

The interdisciplinary major in American Studies requires the completion of eleven courses. At least five courses must be taken after the student has either declared an American Studies major or taken the AMS 200 - Introduction to American Studies  course.

Complete the Following Required Courses


The major’s two required courses provide students with an understanding of interdisciplinary methodology at the onset of their career in the major, and the opportunity to apply this methodology to their own research interests.

Complete One Textual Methodology Course


The textual methodology course is typically taken Junior year and provides advanced training in textual analysis at the 300-level in American Studies, English, or History.

The course can either count toward a student’s four elective (non-concentration) courses, or toward one of the five courses that students select for their concentration. 

Complete Four 100 to 300-Level Elective Courses


No more than two 100-Level courses from the approved list below can count towards the major. Students are particularly encouraged to complete an internship, practicum or independent project (such as the S.U.R.E. program) which will provide opportunities for collaborative learning, field research and public/ community service. Students may not count more than two internships or independent studies towards their major requirements

Complete Five Courses in a Concentration


All majors with the help of the American Studies advisor will develop a specialized concentration. The concentration, made up of five courses from the approved list below in at least two different disciplines, will define a coherent area of specialization within the major by focusing on a particular problem, topic, or area of American society and culture. Students may choose from suggested concentrations including difference and diversity, popular culture, representations, material culture and cultural politics, or propose a student-designed thematic concentration. Successful focus areas might include a collection of courses around a specific time period, such as the 1960s or a particular issue, such as Education, Race and Class in Modern America. As part of their concentration proposals, students may petition that courses not presently listed as American Studies courses be approved for the major concentration. To be eligible for concentration credit, courses must be recommended by the advisor and approved by the American Studies Steering Committee.

Approved American Studies Courses


Students must select their elective and concentration courses from the following courses:
(** Identify courses that count toward the textual methodology requirement.)

History