COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
AMERICAN STUDIES
(AMS)
2013 Basic Issues in American Culture
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Introduces students to the study of culture in the United States using the interdisciplinary
American studies approach. American identity, which includes race and ethnicity,
class, gender, sexual orientation, and religion, will be explored both historically
and through popular culture.
3013 Early American Culture
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Examines the influences that shaped American culture to the twentieth-century.
Topics may include the impact of colonialism, the Enlightenment, the frontier,
industrialism, ethnicity, race, religious reform, and other factors in the development
of a distinctive society.
3023 Modern American Culture
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Examines major trends in American culture during and after the industrial revolution,
with special attention to the consequences of urbanization, suburbanization, industrialization,
race relations, popular culture, technology, and secularization.
3033 Topics in Regional American Cultures
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
A study of the culture(s) of a distinct region or regions within the United States.
Emphasis is on works that analyze the region's culture, literature by authors
from that particular area, history, and folk traditions. Topics may include southern,
western, suburban, or other identifiable regional cultures. May be repeated for
credit when topics vary.
3043 Topics in Ethnic American Cultures
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
A study of the cultural expressions of a particular racial or ethnic group or
groups in the United States. Topics may include Native American, African American,
Latino, Asian, Jewish, or other cultural groups. May be repeated for credit when
topics vary.
3053 Topics in Women and American Culture
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
A study of the cultural expressions of women in America. Topics may include literature,
art, music, and philosophy by and about women; women's roles in history; folklore
relating to women; and similarities and differences in men's and women's culture.
May be repeated for credit when topics vary.
4823 Topics in American Culture
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
An in-depth study of a selected topic, such as American reform movements and political
change, music in American culture, sports in American culture, childhood in America,
modernism and postmodernism, literary expressions of American culture, and cultural
currents in various periods of American history. May be repeated for credit when
topics vary. Two or more topics courses may be taken concurrently.
4913 Independent Study
3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Permission in writing (form available) of the instructor,
the student's advisor, the Department Chair and Dean of the College in which the
course is offered.
Independent reading, research, discussion, and/or writing under the direction
of a faculty member. May be repeated for credit, but not more than 6 semester
credit hours of independent study, regardless of discipline, will apply to a bachelor's
degree.
4933,6 Internship in American Studies
3 or 6 hours credit. Prerequisite: Consent of program director.
Supervised experience relevant to American studies within selected community organizations.
A maximum of 6 semester credit hours may be earned through Internship in American
Studies. Must be taken on a credit/no-credit basis. Only 3 semester credit hours
can be applied to the major in American studies.
4993 Honors Thesis
3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Enrollment limited to candidates for Honors in American
studies during their last two semesters; completion of honors examination and
consent of the Honors College.
Supervised research and preparation of an honors thesis. May be repeated once
with advisor's approval.