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 American Studies Major
 

Departments of English, History,
Political Science, and Sociology
College of Humanities,
Arts and Social Sciences

Published May 2000
Effective for students beginning degree Fall Sem. 2000 thru Summer Sem. 2001


 Admission Requirements For This Major
1. New freshmen admitted to USU in good standing qualify for admission to this major.
2. Transfer students from other institutions need a 2.75 total GPA for admission to this major in good standing.
3. Students transferring from other USU majors need a USU total GPA of 2.75 for admission to this major in good standing.

The Program
Although there is a need to train people in specialized areas to deal with the complexities of modern life, many important problems associated with the origin, evolution, and destiny of our culture transcend the boundaries of traditional academic subject areas.  The American Studies Major is an interdepartmental program designed to allow students the opportunity to integrate studies in various fields into a broad understanding of American culture and its antecedents.  Utah State University is an institutional member of the national American Studies Association, which has divisions in nations throughout the world.

The American Studies program allows students maximum freedom of choice in pursuing academic interests by providing options for an area of concentration and relevant courses from the offerings of other departments.  Areas of concentration include:  (1) American Institutions and Ideas, (2) American Art and Literature, (3) American Culture and Diversity, (4) American Folklore, (5) Nature and the Environment, and (6) Studies in the American West.

Although no foreign language is required for a Bachelor of Science degree in American Studies, a two-year competency in a foreign language is required for a Bachelor of Arts degree.  American society is rapidly becoming bilingual.  If for no other reason, students with a knowledge of a foreign language will have an edge in the job market and should give serious consideration to developing competence in a second language.  Moreover, since most graduate schools require an understanding of at least one foreign language, students who plan to go on for a Master of Arts (MA) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree should plan to complete the Bachelor of Arts degree.

Upon declaring an intention to major or minor in American Studies, students will meet with the American Studies advisor, who will assist them in planning their program so that it (1) meets the University requirements for the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degrees, (2) satisfies any specific requirement of the department in which the student is concentrating his/her work, (3) represents the interdisciplinary spirit of American Studies, and (4) prepares the student to meet future challenges.  Students are urged to visit with their advisor on a regular basis to assure steady progress toward the completion of their degrees.

Career Opportunities
An American Studies degree prepares students for a broad range of professional career options, as well as providing a foundation for future graduate study.  One advantage of an individualized course of study is that it grants students the freedom to tailor their courses to meet specific professional requirements, while ensuring broad exposure to an array of academic disciplines.  For example, students wishing to work for governmental agencies or private businesses in a specific locality can combine courses in local history with courses that study political institutions and the cultural makeup of the region.  In addition, internships enable students to meet people working in the fields they wish to enter while learning first-hand about real job demands.  American Studies majors are also excellent candidates for advanced education.  An interdisciplinary background is desirable for admission to law school, managerial training schools, and a variety of humanities programs that prepare students for college or university teaching.

Degree and Program Offerings

American Studies:  Bachelor of Science (BS), Bachelor of Arts (BA),
                             Master of Science (MS), and Master of Arts (MA)

            Academic Advisement
All students must contact the American Studies academic advisor for assistance with course selection, program planning, and meeting graduation requirements.  The advisor is located in the Mountain West Center for Regional Studies, Main 321F.

Graduation Requirements:
BS/BA Degree in American Studies*
_________
 *A BA degree requires two years’ training or equivalent in a foreign language approved by the Language Department or one year or equivalent in each of two foreign languages approved by the Language Department.

        Minimum University Requirements**

Total credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  120
Grade point average (most majors require higher GPA) . . . . 2.00 GPA
Credits of C- or better  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  100
Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above)  . . . . . . . . . . .  40
USU credits (10 of last 40 must be USU credits)  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
Completion of approved major program of study . . . .  See department
Credits in minor (if required by department) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   12
Credits in American Institutions (Econ 1500 Hist 1700,
 2700 or 2710; PolS 1100; or USU 1300) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
University Studies requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   See below
_________
 **Colleges and departments may require more credits or a higher GPA.  See requirements on this sheet.

        Limitations
No more than 80 junior college transfer semester credits can be used for a bachelor’s degree.  No more than 30 semester credits of Independent Study courses can be used toward a bachelor’s degree.

University Studies Requirements for American Studies Major
Note:  Approved University Studies (General Education) courses and requirements are listed in the front section of each semester’s Schedule of Classes.

General Education Requirements (27-31 credits)
Competency Requirements (9-13 credits)
         Communications Literacy (CL) (6 credits)
              Engl 1010 (3 credits) or satisfactory AP, CLEP, or ACT score
                    AND
              Engl 2010 (3 credits)
 
        Quantitative Literacy (QL) (3-4credits)
            Math 1030 or 1050 or Stat 1040 (3-4 credits)
                     OR
            One Math or Stat course requiring Math 1050 as a prerequisite
                    OR
            AP Math score of 3 or higher
 
    Computer and Information Literacy (0-3 credits)
Passing grade on six computer and information literacy related examinations.  Although no specific course is required, USU 1000, BIS 1400, CS 1010, 1020, Engr 1010, and InsT 1000 teach the required skills.

Breadth Requirements (18 credits)
Select as least one approved course from each of the following five categories:  American Institutions (BAI), Creative Arts (BCA), Humanities (BHU), Life Sciences (BLS or BSC), Physical Sciences (BPS or BSC), and Social Sciences (BSS).  At least two of the six breadth courses must be University Studies courses with a USU prefix (excluding USU 1000).  (CLEP or AP credit may be used.)

Depth Education Requirements 
    Communications Intensive (CI) (2 courses)
            Engl/Hist 4620 and 4690 (required Seminar and Capstone Courses) will meet this requirement.

    Quantitative Intensive (QI) (1 course)
            For most students, a course taken for the major will meet this requirement.
    Depth Course Requirements (2 courses)
Select at least one approved 3000-level or above course from each of the following two categories:  Life and          Physical Sciences (DSC) and Social Sciences (DSS).

Area Studies Certificate in Liberal Arts and Sciences
Transfer students with fewer than 31 semester credits and new freshmen in the American Studies major are required to complete the Certificate Program in the Liberal Arts and Sciences.  The Liberal Arts and Sciences Program offers a broad and challenging course of study in the humanities, sciences, arts, and social sciences.  Through a multidisciplinary but coherent approach to learning, the program meets the needs both of students majoring in professional fields and those desiring a general background for any employment.  By directly engaging in different modes of inquiry, the Liberal Arts and Sciences student develops the desire and capacity for independent thought, self-integration, self-discovery, and lifelong learning.

The Liberal Arts and Sciences orientation course (LAS 2020 or 2120) and two clusters must be completed with a minimum 2.5 GPA in these classes.  The following three policies must be observed:  (1) A maximum of 3 Advanced Placement or CLEP semester credits per cluster are permitted in appropriate substitutions; (2) Up to 3 credits can be duplicated in two clusters; (3) No more than one course per cluster from a student’s major department may double count.  Capstone and other courses required in both the major and the clusters are excluded from the third policy and may double count.  The details of this certificate are available in the Schedule of Classes.

For information on specific Liberal Arts and Sciences Program (LASP) clusters and courses, students should contact their major advisor; the Science/HASS Advising Center (SC 304, 797-3883); or the LASP director, Ann Leffler (Main 323, 797-2039).  A brochure on LAP requirements, The Area Studies Certificate in Liberal Arts and Sciences, is available at all three places.

American Studies Major GPA Requirements (2.75 GPA)
To remain in good standing in American Studies and to obtain approval for graduation as American Studies majors or minors, students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75 in courses that have been approved for the major.  Courses with P or D grades cannot be used to fulfill American Studies major or minor requirements.  However, 3 credits of internship credit may be used for the standard or composite major requirement.

American Studies Standard Major (33 credits) or
Composite Major (51 credits)
The American Studies major is an interdisciplinary program providing students with the opportunity to integrate studies in various fields into a broad understanding of American culture and its antecedents.  Because of its interdisciplinary nature, students have maximum freedom to pursue academic interests focusing on American culture, which allows them to choose areas of concentration and relevant courses from a variety of participating departments.

Portfolio Requirement:
Major or Minor in American Studies
Program advisors will encourage students to keep a file of course syllabi, important papers from all American Studies courses, personal notes from internships, and records from five extracurricular activities sanctioned by the director.

Advisors will also solicit brief paragraphs assessing personal progress and program effectiveness during regular semester advising sessions.  In the Advanced Seminar (Engl/Hist 4620), the instructor will require that students use these files to define areas of special interest.  At this point, the files become portfolios demonstrating the way coursework and program experience outside the classroom have contributed to research projects undertaken by both majors and minors in the Advanced Seminar.

During the Senior Capstone Seminar (Engl/Hist 4690), majors will compose a brief narrative overview of the three most significant courses, plus a selection of extracurricular activities directly related to individual research culminating in the final capstone project.

Upon approval by the American Studies director, portfolios will be copied and used for program assessment.  Studies will also retain copies of the portfolios, which they may use for job applications and for admission into graduate programs.

Course Requirements
Students may pursue either a Composite 51-credit program, or a Standard program of 33 credits.  The Standard major requires fulfillment of requirements for an approved minor or one of the Area Studies Options.  (For information about the Area Studies Options, contact the Science/HASS Advising Center, Student Center 304.)
 
Composite Majors Credit Summary
Three foundations classes (9 credits); breadth option; four clusters, 9 credits in each cluster (36 credits); or depth option: three clusters, 12 credits in each cluster (36 credits); Advanced Seminar (3 credits); and the Senior Project (3 credits).
        Total:  51 credits

Standard Majors Credit Summary
Three foundations classes (9 credits), cluster courses (18 credits), Advanced Seminar (3 credits), and the Senior Capstone (3 credits).
         Total:  33 credits
 
A.  Foundation Courses (9 credits)
Students must take nine credits of coursework that will provide an appropriate foundation for further study in their selected clusters.  Six credits may be completed in lower-division courses.  Following is a partial (BSS)list of appropriate courses:
 
Credits
Anth 1010 (BSS) Cultural Anthropology
3
Art 1100 (BCA) Exploring Art
3
Art 2720 (BHU) Survey of Western Art:  Renaissance to Post-Modern
3
JComm 1000 (BSS)  Introduction to Mass Communication
3
JComm 1010 Introduction to Women's Studies
3
JComm 2000 (BSS) Media Smarts:  Making Sense of the Information Age
3
Engl 1030 (BHU) Understanding Literature 
3
Engl 1710 (BHU)  Introduction to Folklore
3
Engl 2160 American Literary History:  Colonialism to 1865
3
Engl 2170 American Literary History:  1865 to present
3
Engl 2700 Survey of American Folklore
3
Hist 2700 (BAI) United States to 1877 3
Hist 2710 (BAI) United States 1877-Present
3
PolS 1100 (BAI)  United States Government and Policies
3
PolS 2200 (BSS)  Comparative Politics
3
PolS 2350 Introduction to Political Theory
3
PolS 4280 Politics and War
3
PolS 4310 History of Political Thought I
3
PolS 4320 (DSS)  History of Political Thought II
3
Soc 1010 (BSS)  Introductory Sociology
3
Soc 1020 Social Problems
3
B. Cluster Courses (18 or 36 credits)
Contact the American Studies advisor  for a current list of the interdisciplinary courses appropriate for each cluster.

    1. Composite Major (36 credits)
         Select either the Breadth or Depth option
            a. Breadth:  Choose four clusters and take three courses from each cluster
                       OR
            b. Depth:  Choose three clusters and take four courses from each cluster.

      2. Standard Major (18 credits) 
        Select 18 credits from the clusters (At least 9 credits must be from one cluster, and at least two
        clusters must be represented.)

        Both Composite and Standard majors may substitute a 3-credit internship for one cluster course.
 
C.  Seminar and Capstone Courses (6 credits)
After completing at least 12 (but not more than 26) credits, students should enroll in the American Studies Advanced Seminar, which is a prerequisite to the senior capstone course.  In this last course, students complete a senior project.

                                                                                                Credits
Engl/Hist 4620 (CI) Advanced Seminar in American Studies        3
Engl/Hist 4690 (CI) American Studies Capstone Seminar             3

American Studies Minor (18 credits)
American Studies minors must meet and maintain a 2.75 GPA admissions and graduation standard, complete the portfolio requirement, and complete the following 18-credit requirement.  Students are required to complete 6 credits in foundations courses, 9 credits of courses drawn from the six thematic clusters described above under the American Studies major, and the junior-level advanced seminar (Engl/Hist 4620).  For the 9 cluster credits, at least 6 credits must be from one cluster, and two clusters must be represented.  The courses of study must be approved by the American Studies advisor at least one year in advance of graduation.

Requirement Changes and Recording
Graduation requirements shown on this sheet are subject to change.  Students should check with the American Studies advisor concerning possible changes.

Materials for Persons with Disabilities
This requirement sheet is available in large print, audio, and Braille format upon request to the USU Disability Resource Center.
 


 
Advisee Worksheet for American Studies Composite Majors,
Standard Majors, and Minors

Name _________________________________________  Date ________________________

Address ____________________________________________________________________

Phone/e-mail _________________________________________________________________

Social Security Number ____________ - _______ - _____________

___ General Education Requirements          OR          ___ University Studies Requirements

American Studies Program Requirements
Composite Majors (51 credits); Standard Majors (33 credits); Minors (18 credits)

Note:  The minimal upper-division requirement in the Clusters for Composite Majors is 36 credits; for Standard Majors it is 18 credits, and for Minors it is 9 credits.

A. Foundation Courses (Composite and Standard Major, 9 credits; Minor 6 credits)
     These classes may be lower-division classes, but may not also be counted toward University Studies requirements. 

         Dept/#                   Title                                                                                            Credits

1.  __________________________________________________________________________

2.  __________________________________________________________________________

3.  __________________________________________________________________________

B.  Clusters
Composite Majors, 36 credits minimum – Breadth; 4 clusters, three courses each; Depth: 3 clusters, four courses each.
Standard Majors, 18 credits minimum – At least 9 credits must be from one cluster, and at least two clusters must be represented.
Minors, 9 credits minimum – At least six credits must be from one cluster, and two clusters must be represented.
     Internships:  Composite and Standard Majors may substitute a 3-credit internship for one cluster course.
    See the American Studies advisor to arrange an internship.
     Area Possibilities: American Institutions and Ideas, American Art and Literature, American Culture and
    Diversity, American Folklore, Nature and the Environment, and Studies in the American West.
     Course Offerings: For the current list of courses fulfilling cluster requirements, see the American Studies
    advisor.
 
 
Cluster 1 Cluster 3
     Dept/#          Title                                   Credits      Dept/#          Title                                   Credits
1. _______________________________________ 

2. _______________________________________ 

3. _______________________________________ 
 

 1. _______________________________________ 

2. _______________________________________ 

3. _______________________________________
Cluster 2 Cluster 4
     Dept/#          Title                                   Credits       Dept/#          Title                                   Credits
1. _______________________________________ 

2. _______________________________________ 

3. _______________________________________ 
 

 1. _______________________________________ 

2. _______________________________________ 

3. _______________________________________ 
 
 

C. Advanced Seminar and Capstone

Engl/Hist 4620 Advanced Seminar in American Studies      Semester Taken ______________________

Engl/Hist 4690 American Studies Capstone Seminar          Semester Taken ______________________