American Studies Major
The American Studies major provides an interdisciplinary curriculum that exposes students to government, English, history, music and sociology. Students develop analytical, critical thinking, and writing skills while gaining knowledge about American culture and society. Prospective students have the opportunity to combine classes in different disciplines to get multiple perspectives on a single theme.
36 Credit Hours
Required Courses: (12 credit hours)
| HIST 120 | American Experience to 1877 (US) | 3 |
| HIST 121 | American Experience Since 1877 (US) | 3 |
| ENGL 240 | Introduction to American Literary History (US) | 3 |
| GOVT 200 | American Government (US) | 3 |
At least two courses from each of the following areas:
American Cultures:
American Histories:
| ANTH 376 | Prehistory of the Northern Plains | 3 |
| HIST 215 | Flappers, Fundamentalists, FDR: US Experience 1919-1945 | 3 |
| HIST 218 | The Search for Equality: The United States since World War II (US) | 3 |
| HIST 300 | Revolutionary America (W) | 3 |
| HIST 303 | History of The American West (W) | 3 |
| HIST 305 | The Era of American Civil War | 3 |
American Politics and Society:
Peoples of the Americas:
| ANTH 371 | Mesoamerican Archaeology and Cultural History (NW) | 3 |
| HIST 261 | History of Latin America 1450-2010 (NW) | 3 |
| HIST 230 | Cultural History of Mexico from the Aztecs to the Zetas (NW) | 3 |
| NAST 180/HIST 180 | Red, White, and Black: The People of Early America | 3 |
| NAST 320/SOCI 320 | Native American Social Systems (NW) | 3 |
| NAST 252/HIST 252 | History of the Lakota/Dakota (NW) | 3 |
| SPAN 341 | Latin American Civilization and Culture | 3 |
| SPAN 362 | History of the Literature of Latin America | 3 |
| SPAN 370 | Modern Latin American Novel | 3 |
American Studies Sample Plan of Study
Following is one possible way to complete the major.
Students should fill in gaps with coursework required for the core curriculum and other majors/minors to take an average of 14 credit hours each fall and spring, and 3-4 credit hours each Interim. Total credit hours needs to be 124 for degree completion.
First Year
Fall Semester
| FYS 110 | First Year Seminar I (FS) | 4 |
| HIST 120 | American Experience to 1877 (US) | 3 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
Interim
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
Spring Semester
| FYS 111 | First Year Seminar II (FS) | 4 |
| HIST 121 | American Experience Since 1877 (US) | 3 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
Second Year
Fall Semester
| AMST | American Studies Elective | 3 |
| GOVT 200 | American Government (US) | 3 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
Interim
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
Spring Semester
| AMST | American Studies Elective | 3 |
| ENGL 240 | Introduction to American Literary History (US) | 3 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
Third Year
Fall Semester
| AMST | American Studies Elective | 3 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
Interim
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
Spring Semester
| AMST | American Studies Elective | 3 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
| AMST | American Studies Elective | 3 |
| AMST | American Studies Elective | 3 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
Interim
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
Spring Semester
| AMST | American Studies Elective | 3 |
| AMST | American Studies Elective | 3 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |