American Studies

Undergraduate Programs

Bachelor of Arts in American Studies (120 units)

American Studies is an interdisciplinary study of American culture. The American Studies Program offers a major leading to the bachelor's degree and a minor. The Program is governed by a committee of faculty from various departments and schools who also serve as advisors. Majors confer with the program director to plan their programs, which are recorded on official advising forms.

Students planning to major in American Studies should consult the program director early in their academic careers for general education and preparatory course recommendations and for teaching credential information.

Requirements

A minimum of 36 units distributed as follows:

Core courses (21 units):

Take the following courses:

AMST 300 Introduction to American Studies (3)
Prerequisites: None
AMST 350 California Culture (3)
Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirement requirement; upper-division standing Interdisciplinary examination of the culture of California.
AMST 498 Senior Seminar in American Studies (3)
Prerequisites: Completion of AMST 300 and 18 units of upper-division work in American Studies or affiliated fields.

Take 6 additional units in AMST-designated courses, which include AMST 351, 360, 421 and 495.

Take 3 units from the following courses:

HIST 477A American Cultural History (3)
Prerequisites: None
HIST 477B American Cultural History (3)
Prerequisites: None

Take 3 units from the following courses:

ENGL 372 Comedy in the United States (3)
Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirements, one or more Exploration courses, and upper-division standing.
ENGL 375 U.S. Ethnic Writers (3)
Prerequisites: ENGL 100; GE Foundation requirements.

Elective pattern (15 units):

Students choose a five-course elective pattern in consultation with the program advisor in one of the following areas of concentration. No more than two courses in this elective pattern can come from any one academic department.