Course Information


Bachelor of Arts in American Studies
The American Studies major is divided into two parts: a set of required core courses and a set of elective courses chosen from at least two disciplines related to a particular topic or theme in American Studies.

Students entering this major should choose their theme or topic at least by the middle of the junior year in order to take advantage of courses in various departments appropriate to their topic. The program is directed by a coordinator and a council consisting of faculty from participating departments and students currently completing the major. Each student's program is developed in
consultation with the coordinator and advisers, in accordance with the pattern below.


Required Courses
AmSt 300/SS 410 Social Perspectives on American Culture (3)
American culture from the perspectives of different social sciences. American national character, social thought, and political order.

AmSt 310/Hum 485 Arts and American Culture (3)
Figures in visual, literary, and performing arts who have reflected American culture through mastery of their arts; relationships between arts in periods of American cultural development. (Also offered as HUM 485)

AmSt 400/Geog 551 American Regional Cultures (3)
Study of regional American cultures through their landscapes, historical backgrounds, literatures, arts, and other dimensions. (Also offered as GEOG 551.)

AmSt 410/Hum 450 California Culture (3)
Dynamics of California society and culture in recent times; world oasis, flawed paradise, lifestyle crucible, and creative milieu; function in American culture and Pacific relations. (Also offered as HUM 450.)

Special Study course or courses (up to six units) on a specific topic connected to prior course work, to be developed through consultation with the coordinator and faculty from the appropriate department (3-6 units)

Total required units...15-18


Elective Courses
Courses, by choice and advisement, on a topic or themes in American Studies, drawn from at least two disciplines. Up to six units may be in community college or lower division course work...(24 units)

Total for Major...39-42 units

Courses especially appropriate as electives for the American Studies major are offered by the following departments (not an exclusive list): Art, Asian American Studies, Black Studies, English, Film, Geography, History, Humanities, Journalism, La Raza Studies, Music, American Indian Studies, Political Science, Social Science, Urban Studies, Womens Studies.




Minor in American Studies

Required Courses
AmSt 300/SS 410 Social Perspectives on American Culture (3)
American culture from the perspectives of different social sciences. American national character, social thought, and political order.

AmSt 310/Hum 485 Arts and American Culture (3)
Figures in visual, literary, and performing arts who have reflected American culture through mastery of their arts; relationships between arts in periods of American cultural development. (Also offered as HUM 485)

AmSt 400/Geog 551 American Regional Cultures (3)
Study of regional American cultures through their landscapes, historical backgrounds, literatures, arts, and other dimensions. (Also offered as GEOG 551.)

AmSt 410/Hum 450 California Culture (3)
Dynamics of California society and culture in recent times; world oasis, flawed paradise, lifestyle crucible, and creative milieu; function in American culture and Pacific relations. (Also offered as HUM 450.)

Total Required units...12


Elective Courses
These courses, chosen upon advisement from throughout the appropriate departments and programs of the University, allow the student to explore a particular theme or topic in American Studies. Lists of appropriate courses are distributed by the program each semester (9 units).

Total units...21