• Five core course sequence
• Five-course elective pattern that centers on one theme or problem,
• Capstone course through which students will demonstrate both their knowledge of and skills in engaging American cultures.

The American Studies program is governed by a committee of faculty from various departments and colleges who also serve as informal advisors. Students should confer with advisors and the program director to plan their studies, which are recorded on official advising forms.

What courses are required?
In preparation for the upper division major in American Studies, students are expected to have completed lower division courses appropriate as background to the study of American history, life, and culture. Students planning to major in American Studies should consult the program director or another member of the affiliated faculty for general education and preparatory course recommendations and for assistance in choosing upper-division courses, tracks, and focus.

Major Requirements
A minimum of 33 units, distributed as follows:

• Five core courses:
AMST 300; HIST 477A,B; ENGL 370A,B

• Five-course elective pattern:
The student chooses one of the following broad topics or themes and plans with an advisor an elective five-course sequence. To reflect the interdisciplinarity of American Studies, no more than two courses in this sequence can come from any one academic department. Possible tracks include:

A) American Institutions
B) American People
C) Women in America
D) American Environment
E) Arts & Communication in America
F) American Ideas.

In place of one of the above, the student, with the approval of the advisor and program director, may design a sequence of courses (Student-Designed Pattern) focusing on a topic, theme, or problem in which he or she is particularly interested.

• Final capstone course:
AMST 499