As a Minor

The minor in American Studies is a multidisciplinary program that investigates the content and meaning of American culture within the United States. It combines the insights and methods of all the disciplines in humanities and social studies to examine the United States from the standpoint of history, social and political institutions, literature, and the arts. It interrogates:

• The movements and myths of American history
• American democracy in relation to other nations
• Slavery shaping American history
• Native Americans from the pilgrims to today
• American identity
• Ideas, economics, passions, and politics in American foreign policy

Students select a minimum of two courses from one or more of the four categories of electives:

• Culture and Society
• Myths and identities in the American context
• The political sphere
• Urban studies

Students select these courses from at least two departments from among the following:

• Black and Latino Studies
• Communication Studies
• English
• Fine and Performing Arts
• History
• Modern Languages
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology and Anthropology

In addition, all students take one capstone course in American Studies (AMS 4900). This course introduces students to the rationale and methodology of American Studies. Recent topics for capstone courses have included:

• Currents of Literature
• The European Mind in America
• Studying the Modern Civil Rights Movement
• Crossing Borders

For more information check the current Student Bulletin.

Contact

Professor Michael Staub, Program Director
646-312-3944

Program Committee Members

• Ruth Adler, Modern Languages and Comparative Literature
• Tuzyline Allan, English
• Gerald DeMaio, Political Science
• Elizabeth Gareis, Communication Studies
• Thomas Heinrich, History
• Gail Levin, Fine and Performing Arts