American Studies, B.A.

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(120 UNITS)

The Bachelor of Arts in American Studies is an interdisciplinary study of the United States in the past and present. Courses focus on the cultural history of topics such as: race, immigra1on and ethnicity; gender, sexuality and body poli1cs; popular culture, technology and the arts; work and leisure; the environment, communi1es and region; sports and mental health; film, literature and creative work; childhood and adolescence; and crime and violence. The program develops analytical thinking, reading and writing skills and fosters a criitical engagement with the past and present, preparing students for careers in business, communications, government service, law, social services and teaching. An American Studies B.A. is an ideal double major and complements such majors in Communications, Ethnic Studies, History, Human Services, Music, Psychology and Sociology.

In addition to the requirements for the major, students must meet all other university requirements for a bachelor’s degree. Please consult the Graduation Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree section in this catalog for complete information.

Required Courses (9 units)

Upper-Division Writing Requirement (3 units)

AMST 350 - Seminar in Theory and Method of American Studies (3)

Electives (24 upper-division units)

Elective coursework must be approved by the major adviser following either Plan A or B:

Plan A

Students may take all eight upper-division electives in American Studies courses or they may include up to four upper-division courses from no more than two other departments, such as African American Studies, Anthropology, Asian American Studies, Chicana/o Studies, Communications, Criminal Justice, English, History, Geography, Political Science, Psychology or Sociology.

Plan B

Students may choose upper-division courses from different disciplines, pursuing a particular theme or subject, such as law and society, gender roles, the visual arts, ethnicity, urbanization, regionalism, the child and the family, or popular culture.