American Studies
Douglas Winiarski, Coordinator (Religion)
American studies is an interdisciplinary program that provides students with opportunities to combine courses on the anthropology, art, history, journalism, literature, music, philosophy, politics, religion, and sociology of the United States into a single major. The requirements for the program emphasize student initiative in crafting a distinctive program of study that meets the academic interests of each major. Students may choose to focus on race and ethnicity studies in the United States, a discrete time period, or a distinctly multidisciplinary methodological approach. The opportunities to develop a unique program of study, therefore, are as diverse as the students who elect to major in American studies.
The American studies major consists of nine courses, including AMST 201, a topical survey open primarily to first-year students and sophomores, and AMST 400, a capstone seminar that explores theories and methods in the field. Majors work closely with the program coordinator and a faculty advisor to determine a specialized course of study for the remaining seven electives. These courses must be drawn from at least three departments and revolve around a coherent issue, theme, time period, or methodological approach to United States culture and society. Four of these electives must be taken at the 300 level or higher. Introductory courses for departments are ineligible. Students must complete all prerequisites for courses taken in allied departments in addition to the requirements for their American studies major. For a complete list of past, current, and upcoming AMST courses and electives, see the "Planning Your Program" link on the American studies Web site (american-studies.richmond.edu/).
In addition, all students must complete a "Statement of Intellectual Interest & Projected Course of Study" application when they declare their American Studies major. This document consists of a one paragraph statement of intellectual interest in which prospective majors describe their academic goals and provide a list of existing courses that will help them to meet those goals. A coherent course of study, for example, might focus on African American politics, history, and culture; art, literature, and music of the Jacksonian Era; class, social activism, and the urban built environment; gender politics and religious beliefs in the contemporary United States; transnational, multiethnic, and border crossing American identities; media and technology issues; or queer theory approaches to American theater and film. These are only a few of the many possible ways to combine courses in allied departments into a coherent course of study. Students are encouraged to exercise creativity and independence in determining which electives will count toward their major. For a complete list of statements by previous majors, see the American Studies Web site.
The discipline of American studies increasingly emphasizes explorations of United States culture and society in relation to international politics, the global economy, and population migrations. For this reason, students who study abroad are strongly encouraged to pursue coursework related to their American studies majors.
In addition to completing the standard requirements for the major, qualified students may elect to write an honors thesis (AMST 401) during the spring semester of their senior year. Theses are written under the supervision of a sponsoring faculty member and require the prior approval of a formal prospectus submitted to the American studies advisory council before November 15.
Students interested in learning more about the American studies major are encouraged to contact the program coordinator for more information.
The American Studies Major
Note: The grade point average of the coursework comprising the major must be no less than 2.00 with no course grade below C- (1.70).
- AMST 201 Introduction to American Studies
- Seven electives, chosen in consultation with the faculty advisor, including four at 300 level or higher
- AMST 400 Seminar in American Studies
Students are expected to fulfill all prerequisites necessary for courses within the major. Prerequisites do not count toward the major unless otherwise noted.
Courses
AMST 201 Introduction to American Studies
AMST 381 Community Problem Solving Seminar
AMST 398 Selected Topics
AMST 399 Independent Study
AMST 400 Seminar in American Studies
AMST 401 Thesis