圣麥克大學

American Studies engages students in the interdisciplinary study of the cultures and politics of the United States and the Americas, past and present. Through its exploration of American traditions, institutions, geography, arts, and mass culture, the program exposes students to a diversity of American perspectives and identities. Central to our major is an investigation of the intersectionality of ethnicity, gender, sexuality, class, religion, and citizenship in the examination of American experiences.

The interdisciplinary nature of our program encourages the kind of personal initiative and creative thinking that gives our majors an advantage later in life, and they pursue a rich variety of careers. An American Studies major is particularly appropriate for students planning careers in education, law, communications, government, social work, journalism, museum studies, and information science.

Each American Studies major selects a concentration and takes 4 courses selected from the list of approved electives for that track. Concentrations include:

Race and Ethnicity Studies

This concentration explores how race and ethnicity matter in our everyday lives and systematically shape our institutions and society. Courses examine topics such as Diaspora, migration, sovereignty, mobilization, and the political economies of social inequality and racial formation. They also attend to how these categories intersect and overlap with other forms of difference (such as gender, nation, indignity, class, religion, ability, sexuality, etc.)

Childhood Studies

This concentration considers changing conceptions of childhood in American culture as well as the diversity of children’s lived experience. With particular attention to the various ways in which childhood has been aesthetic zed and politicized, courses examine the figure of the child within the contexts of gender, ethnicity, class, geography, education, material culture, religion, and/or law.

Expressive Cultures

This concentration focuses on creativity and aesthetic expression in everyday life, and on their transformative potential in culture and politics. Through the examination of folklore, music, dance, art, literature, floodways, architecture, and ceremony, students investigate the dynamics and significance of tradition and innovation. Courses explore the paths by which identity finds voice in performances, texts, and artifacts.

Civic Communities

This concentration asks: How do communities and individuals come to define themselves, and how do others define them? Courses may consider how organizations and institutions function socially and culturally, or the roles of social movements, economic structures, politics and government.

The Americas

This geographical concentration encourages students to think about "America" in relation to the many Americas of which our hemisphere is comprised. Some courses allow students to focus on different nations and regions.

Careers

Not only will an American Studies major give you an in-depth knowledge of your country and culture, it will provide you with the skills necessary to excel in a variety of professions or to pursue an advanced degree at a graduate institution. Our majors have gone on to varied, successful careers as lawyers, museum directors, sales reps, bankers, EMTs, teachers, librarians, public historians, university administrators, government officials, and more.