2022-2023 Undergraduate General Catalog


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 120Becoming a Nation: America's Story to 1877 (US)

3

HIST 121America Engages the World: US History Since 1877 (US)

3

ENGL 240Introduction to American Literary History (US)

3

GOVT 200American Government (US)

3

At least two courses from each of the following areas: 24 credit hours

American Cultures: 6 credit hours

ART 313Art Since 1945 (W)(US)

3

MDST 220History of Electronic Media (US)

3

ENGL 150American Cinema (US)

3

ENGL 320Seminar in Earlier American Literature

3

ENGL 330Seminar in Later American Literature

3

ENGL 340Seminar in Global Literature (NW)

3

JOUR 290/HIST 290History of The American Press (W)

3

PHIL 280American Philosophy (E) (US)

3

PHIL 282Ethics in America (E) (US)

3

American Histories: 6 credit hours

ANTH 376Prehistory of the Northern Plains

3

HIST 218The Search for Equality: The United States since World War II (US)

3

HIST 300Revolutionary America (W)

3

HIST 303History of The American West (US) (W)

3

American Politics and Society: 6 credit hours

GOVT 210Congress

3

GOVT 220The American Presidency

3

GOVT 235American Foreign Policy

3

GOVT 305Theories of American Democracy

3

GOVT 335/COMM 335/JOUR 335Elections, Public Opinion and The Media

3

SOCI 340Social Inequality

4

Peoples of the Americas: 6 credit hours

ANTH 371Mesoamerican Archaeology and Cultural History (PW)

3

HIST 261History of Latin America 1450-2010 (PW)

3

HIST 230Cultural History of Mexico (PW)

3

NAST 180/HIST 180The People of Early America: Red, White, and Black (PW)

3

NAST 320/SOCI 320Native American Social Systems (PW)

3

NAST 252/HIST 252History of the Lakota/Dakota (PW)

3

SPAN 341Latin American Civilization and Culture

3

SPAN 362History of the Literature of Latin America (LT)

3

SPAN 370Modern 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 110First Year Seminar I (FS)

4

HIST 120Becoming a Nation: America's Story 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

HIST 121America Engages the World: US History 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 200American 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 240Introduction 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