UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG 2002–2003
Brigham Young University
Back American Studies
  

Phillip A. Snyder, Coordinator
205 HRCB, (801) 422-2487

College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences Advisement Center
151 SWKT, (801) 422-3541

College of Humanities Advisement Center
3078 JKHB, (801) 422-4789

Admission to Program

The American Studies degree program is open enrollment.

The Discipline

The American Studies major examines the sweep of American experience, society, culture, and civilization from a variety of viewpoints—literature, history, gender, humanities, regions, politics, ethnic groups, geography, art, economics, religion, and folklore—based in core courses designed to examine the American experience from a variety of standpoints. Majors are encouraged to develope particular skills in writing, literary criticism, historical research, and social, political, and economic analysis. The program provides not only rich interdisciplinary experience but also exposure to a variety of excellent scholars and teachers.

Career Opportunities

On graduation, American Studies students are usually qualified to enter graduate and professional schools (for law, MBA, MPA, PhD), government or community service, teaching, or advanced graduate studies in the liberal arts, including American studies, American civilization, American culture, American history, and American literature.



BA American Studies (45 hours*)

Major Requirements

  1. No D credit is allowed in major courses.

  2. Students can complete the Advanced Writing requirement by taking Engl 311, 312, 315, or 316 according to individual academic direction. Those interested in graduate work are urged to take the Hist 200, 490 option.

  3. Majors should begin course work in the major by taking AmSt 303 fall semester of the sophomore or (at latest) junior year.

  4. Complete the following prerequisite courses:
    PlSc 110.
    Econ 110.
    Hum 261, 262.

  5. Complete the following:
    AmSt 303.

  6. Complete ten courses from the following:
    AmSt 360, 390R (twice only), 395.
    ArtHC 345, 365.
    Econ 274.
    Engl 336, 358R, 392, 395R.
    Geog 450.
    Hist 366, 380, 395.
    Hum 420R, 425R, 430R, 440R, 460R, 490R.
    PlSc 320, 321, 322.

    Note 1: The humanities courses and Engl 395R must be topics in an American subject.

    Note 2: Course substitutions may be made only with written, prior permission of the American Studies chair.

    Note 3: Students may substitute 3 credit hours of Washington, D.C., seminar credit for one American Studies elective.

*Hours include courses that may fulfill GE or university requirements.



Minor Western American Studies (18 hours*)

Minor Requirements

  1. No D credit is allowed in minor courses.

  2. Complete the following:
    AmSt 200.

  3. Complete one course from three of the following four clusters:
      Natural Environment
      Biol 150.
      Geol 101.
      Range 215, 225.

      Human Heritage

      Hist 361.

      Social Environment

      Anthr 345, 346, 350.
      Econ 274.
      Soc 327.

      Arts and Literature

      Engl 364, 368, 392.
      Span 365.

  4. Complete additional elective courses to make a total of 18 hours. Electives may be chosen from the courses listed above that have not been used, from the additional courses listed below, or from topical courses on Western themes offered through academic departments or the Honors Program.
    Anthr 530, 535.
    Hist 364, 366, 382, 386, 394.
    RelC 342, 343.
    Span 461R.

*Hours include courses that may fulfill GE or university requirements.



American Studies (AmSt)

Class Schedule Major Academic Plan (MAP)

Undergraduate Courses

200.The American West as a Region. (3:3:0)

Geography, natural history, history, and cultures of the American West.

303. Studies in the American Experience. (3:3:0)

Social and intellectual life in American culture from the colonial period to the present.

360. Film in American Culture. (3:3:0)

Selected readings, lectures, and analysis of specific motion pictures as social documents, reflecting different facets of the American experience.

390R. Topics in American Studies. (3:3:0 ea.)

Multidisciplinary study of a carefully defined problem in American culture. Topics vary.

395. Theories and Methods in American Studies. (3:3:0) Prerequisite: AmSt 303.

Readings/discussion seminar introducing students to theories, definition, and practice of American Studies.





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