American Studies

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Program Learning Outcomes: American Studies

This major may be paired with the Chinese, Computer Science, Economics, English, French, German, Greek, Greek & Latin, Latin, Linguistics, Music, Philosophy, Religion, Russian, Sociology, Spanish, or Theatre minors, provided the field of concentration required for the major is not the same as the minor. This major may be paired with the CRES or Film & Media Studies minors, provided 3 or more units required for the major concentration do not overlap.

Students must complete all of the following requirements to graduate with a bachelor of arts in this program. Some courses may apply toward multiple requirements.

College Requirements:

Degree Requirements (2025-26)

Students are required to complete all standard college requirements.

Major Requirements:

Total major units: Varies

This program requires an application to declare the major approved by the American Studies Committee.

Field of Concentration Requirements:

Complete the division and major requirements of an established disciplinary major from the list below:
1. A minimum of two courses with a focus on American subject matter.
2. Division of Arts
  - Art
  - Dance
  - Music
  - Theatre
3. Division of History and Social Sciences
  - Anthropology
  - Economics
  - History
  - Political science
  - Sociology
4. Division of Literature and Languages
  - Chinese
  - English
  - French
  - German
  - Greek, Latin, and ancient Mediterranean studies
  - Russian
  - Spanish
5. Division of Mathematical and Natural Sciences
  - Biology
  - Chemistry
  - Computer science
  - Mathematics
  - Physics
6. Division of Philosophy, Religion, Psychology, and Linguistics
  - Linguistics
  - Philosophy
  - Psychology
  - Religion

Four Additional Units of American Subject Matter

Two units in history
⇒For students whose field of concentration is history, two units in a subject outside the field of concentration.
Two additional units in a subject outside the field of concentration
⇒For students whose field of concentration is history, two additional units in a subject outside the field of concentration and in a different subject than the two units above.

Junior Year Requirements:

Department junior seminar (if applicable)
Junior qualifying examination

Two units of Thesis

AMER 470 - Thesis

Recommended, but Not Required:

All majors are expected to attend American studies colloquia and other events. There are approximately three to four colloquia each semester. Each American studies major will present their thesis at a colloquium during the final semester of their senior year.