Abington College (AMSAB)
Penn State Harrisburg (AMSCA)
University College (AMSCC): Penn State Brandywine, Penn State Worthington Scranton
This interdisciplinary major is designed to provide students with an integrated and critical knowledge of American culture, drawing on courses in American Studies and in the traditional disciplines and culminating in two senior seminars. A number of interests may be pursued within the major, including popular culture, art, technology, business, law, archives, museology, and conservation. The major helps prepare students for careers in business, teaching, government, and a number of other areas, and for enrollment in law and other professional programs.
For entrance into the major, the following must be met:
1. At the end of the sophomore year, any student in good standing may gain entrance into the major without having completed specific courses.
2. Any student seeking entrance during the fifth semester will be granted entrance at the discretion of the American Studies Committee and/or Director following evaluation of the student's record.
3. Any student seeking entrance during or after the sixth semester will be expected to have completed at least 12 credits, which may be counted toward the major in American Studies.
For the B.A. degree in American Studies, a minimum of 123 credits is required.
Scheduling Recommendation by Semester Standing given like (Sem: 1-2)
GENERAL EDUCATION: 45 credits
(See description of General Education in this bulletin.)
FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR:
(Included in ELECTIVES or GENERAL EDUCATION course selection)
UNITED STATES CULTURES AND INTERNATIONAL CULTURES:
(Included in ELECTIVES, GENERAL EDUCATION course selection, or REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)
WRITING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM:
(Included in REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)
ELECTIVES: 21 credits
BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE REQUIREMENTS: 24 credits
(3 of these 24 credits are included in the REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR, GENERAL EDUCATION, or ELECTIVES and 0-12 credits are included in ELECTIVES if foreign language proficiency is demonstrated by examination.)
(See description of Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements in this bulletin.)
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR: 33 credits[1]
PRESCRIBED COURSES (6 credits)
AM ST 491W(6) (Sem: 5-8)
ADDITIONAL COURSES (3 credits)
AM ST 100 GH(3) or AM ST 100W GH(3) (Sem: 1-4)
SUPPORTING COURSES AND RELATED AREAS (24 credits)
(Include 12 credits at the 400 level distributed in at least two of the areas.)
Select 9 credits in each of two of the following areas; select 6 credits in one other of the areas: (Sem: 3-8)
a. American literature
b. American history
c. American art, philosophy, and religion (humanities)
d. American social sciences
[1] A student enrolled in this major must receive a grade of C or better, as specified in Senate Policy 82-44.
Last Revised by the Department: Summer Session 1995
Blue Sheet Item #: 23-05-120
Review Date: 4/23/04
UCA Revision #2: 7/26/07
AB