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 | Becoming a Nation: America's Story to 1877 (US) | 3 |
HIST 121 | America Engages the World: US History 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: 24 credit hours
American Cultures: 6 credit hours
American Histories: 6 credit hours
ANTH 376 | Prehistory of the Northern Plains | 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 (US) (W) | 3 |
American Politics and Society: 6 credit hours
Peoples of the Americas: 6 credit hours
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 | Becoming 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 121 | America 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 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 |