CLA: American Studies: Program Requirements - Willamette University

American Studies

The American Studies movement is an expression of lively interest and curiosity in things American. American Studies attempts to set American culture within the context of Western civilization and to establish a broad, interdisciplinary perspective on American culture and society.

A major in this area would be suitable for prospective lawyers, government employees, journalists, candidates for graduate degrees in literature, history or American Studies, and elementary or secondary teachers.

This is a contract major in which the student and the studentï¿½s advisors set up a program of interdisciplinary study centering on a problem, idea, area, institution or period in American culture and society. The student and his/her advisors will work out a concentration by the end of the sophomore year and will follow the guidelines set below for required courses.

Requirements for the American Studies Major

Ten courses are required, two of them fixed and the remaining eight to be worked out with two advisors by the end of the sophomore year. One American Studies advisor and one advisor from an academic field chosen by the student from contributing disciplines such as: Art, Economics, English, Environmental Science, History, Music, Politics, Religion, Sociology, Rhetoric and Media Studies, and Theatre.

AMST 250 (W) American Cultural Perspectives (1)
Three 200-level (or higher) courses in various disciplines consistent with a plan worked out with advisors by the end of the sophomore year that engages a problem, idea, area, institution or period (3)
Five 300-level (or higher) courses in various disciplines consistent with a plan worked out with advisors by the end of the sophomore year that engages a problem, idea, area, institution or period (5)
AMST 496 (W) Senior Seminar in American Studies (1)

American Studies Steering Committee

Michael Strelow, Professor of English, Chair
Ellen Eisenberg, Dwight and Margaret Lear Professor of American History
Roger Hull, Professor of Art History