American Studies, Department of

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Department Chair

Leila Zenderland

Department Office/Website

University Hall 313
657-278-2441
amst.fullerton.edu

Faculty

Dustin Abnet, Jesse Battan, Adam Golub, John Ibson, Carrie Lane, Elaine Lewinnek, Terri Snyder, Pamela Steinle, Susie Woo, Leila Zenderland

Introduction

American Studies gives students a thorough understanding of the past and present nature of American culture and society. Three central features of our approach are: (1) an emphasis on the analysis of culture - that shared system of beliefs, behaviors, symbols and material objects through which Americans give meaning to their lives; (2) examination of dominant culture patterns, as well as the diversity of cultures in America; and (3) an interdisciplinary perspective that uses both the social sciences and humanities.

Besides providing a rich liberal arts education, training in the major develops skills in writing and analysis, and strengthens the ability to recognize connections among complex materials and diverse phenomena. American Studies graduates enter careers in business, communications, government service, law, social services and teaching. The major also provides students with a stong background for graduate work in the field or in related fields.

Degree Descriptions

American Studies teaches students to analyze American culture and society in the past and present. By combining methods from different disciplines, it provides students with a broad and deep understanding of how American culture developed.  Students learn to think from multiple perspectives, to evaluate different kinds of cultural evidence, to appreciate American cultural diversity, and to express their ideas more effectively both orally and in writing. American Studies graduates often use these skills to pursue careers in education, communications, entertainment, business, government, law and social services.

The M.A. program in American Studies prepares students to: analyze cultural processes in history; examine cultural evidence with theoretical sophistication; carry out original interdisciplinary research at an advanced level; and communicate ideas persuasively. Many CSUF M.A. graduates continue on to doctoral programs. Many others choose careers in community college or high school teaching, educational administration, library science, journalism and media, business or government and social services.

Learning Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

• Bachelor of Arts in American Studies
• Master of Arts in American Studies

Teaching Credential

Because American Studies is interdisciplinary, the major may be effectively combined with subject matter studies necessary for either the multiple subject teaching credential (K-8) or single subject credential (7-12) in History/Social Science. Students may also use the major towards earning an Undergraduate TESOL Professional Certficate. Undergraduates are encouraged to work with the Center for Careers in Teaching (657-278-7130) as early as possible in their academic careers to plan efficient course selections for general education, the major and electives. With careful planning, it may be possible to enter the credential program in the senior year of the bachelor’s degree. Postgraduate students should contact the Admission to Teacher Education office in the College of Education (657-278-3352) to obtain information on attending an overview presentation.

Double Major in American Studies

A double major in American Studies is often simple to arrange, since it allows for up to 12 units of coursework in the department of the other major to be used to complete the requirements of our major.

Programs and Courses Offered

Programs

• American Studies, B.A.

• American Studies, M.A.

• American Studies Minor

Courses

Courses are designated as AMST in the class schedule.

• AMST 101 - Introduction to American Culture Studies (3)
• AMST 201 - Introduction to American Studies (3)
• AMST 300 - Introduction to American Popular Culture (3)
• AMST 301 - American Character (3)
• AMST 318 - Hollywood and America: Using Film as a Cultural Document (3)
• AMST 320 - Women in American Society (formerly 450) (3)
• AMST 324 - American Immigrant Cultures (3)
• AMST 345 - The American Dream (3)
• AMST 346 - American Culture Through Spectator Sports (3)
• AMST 350 - Seminar in Theory and Method of American Studies (3)
• AMST 377 - Prejudice and American Culture (3)
• AMST 390 - Disability and American Culture (3)
• AMST 395 - California Cultures (3)
• AMST 401T - Proseminar in American Studies (3)
• AMST 402 - Religion and American Culture (3)
• AMST 404 - Americans and Nature (3)
• AMST 405 - Images of Crime and Violence in American Culture (3)
• AMST 407 - American Humor (3)
• AMST 408 - Gaming and American Culture (3)
• AMST 409 - Consumer Culture (3)
• AMST 410 - The Office: White-Collar Work and American Culture (3)
• AMST 412 - Women, Race, and Ethnicity in American Culture (3)
• AMST 413 - The Shifting Role and Image of the American Male (3)
• AMST 416 - Southern California Culture: A Study of American Regionalism (3)
• AMST 418 - Food and American Culture (3)
• AMST 419 - Love in America (3)
• AMST 420 - Childhood and Family in American Culture (3)
• AMST 423 - The Search for Community (3)
• AMST 428 - American Monsters (3)
• AMST 433 - Visual Arts in Contemporary America (3)
• AMST 438 - American Minds: Images of Sickness and Health (3)
• AMST 439 - American Photographs as Cultural Evidence (3)
• AMST 440 - American Folk Culture (3)
• AMST 442 - Television and American Culture (3)
• AMST 444 - The Built Environment (3)
• AMST 445 - Cold War and American Culture (3)
• AMST 447 - Race and American Popular Culture (3)
• AMST 448 - American Popular Culture and the World (3)
• AMST 449 - The American West in Symbol and Myth (3)
• AMST 451 - Fashion in American Culture (3)
• AMST 459 - Technology and American Culture (3)
• AMST 460 - Bohemians and Beats: Cultural Radicalism in America (3)
• AMST 465 - The Culture of the American South (3)
• AMST 468 - Culture in Turmoil: 1960s America (3)
• AMST 473 - Sexual Orientations and American Culture (3)
• AMST 476 - Cultures of Early America (3)
• AMST 488 - Race, Sex and American Urban Culture (3)
• AMST 495 - Internship in American Studies (3)
• AMST 499 - Independent Study (1-3)
• AMST 501 - Theory and Methods (3)
• AMST 502T - Seminar: Selected Topics (3)
• AMST 595 - Graduate Internship in American Studies (3)
• AMST 596 - American Studies Teaching Tutorial (3)
• AMST 598 - Thesis (3)
• AMST 599 - Independent Graduate Research (1-3)

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