Gail Dines, Chair and Professor
Akeia Benard, Assistant Professor
Dana Bialer, Instructor
Susan Owusu, Instructor and Coordinator of the Communications Major
Joyce Hope Scott, Associate Professor
Eric Silverman, Associate Professor

Available Programs of Study:

• B.A., American Studies
• B.A., Communication and Media Literacy
• B.A., Political Science and Global Studies

B.A./American Studies Major with a Professional Major / 36-40 credits

The American Studies major is an interdisciplinary program that permits students to combine interests in sociology, history, literature, political science, art and psychology. American Studies, with its focus on the ways historically oppressed groups have fought for social justice and helped shape American Society, offers students a multicultural lens that complements professional preparation for the fields of teaching, social work, juvenile justice and youth advocacy, and child life.

• Students develop an individualized focus that allows for a flexible program of study. Suggested areas of focus include; Popular Culture and Representation, Race and Ethnic Studies, and Women’s Studies.
• An arts and sciences major that may be combined with a professional major in Juvenile Justice and Youth Advocacy, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Special Education, or Social Work.
• American Studies is also available as a minor.
• You may choose American Studies for your undergraduate major as part of Wheelock’s five-year dual degree program leading to a master’s in Child Life.

Course Requirements/36 credit

AST 160	American Identities	4 credits
HDS 106	Sociology of Minority Groups	4 credits

 

Select One*

4 credits

AST 150	Introduction to American Government
AST 256	Gender and Politics
HIS 165	America Through the Civil War
HIS 167	America Since the Civil War
HIS 245	Women in America
LIT 215	Survey of American Literature
LIT 245	Native American Literature
LIT 246	African-American Literature
PHL 230	American Philosophy

 

Select one* (Intermediate courses)

4 credits

AST 215	Political and Social Change in America
AST 220	Coming to America
AST 257	Race in America
AST 258	Religion in America

*Courses used to meet this requirement may not be counted toward the individualized focus area.

Select One (Advanced courses)

4 credits

AST 403	Senior Seminar in American Studies
AST 410	Internship in American Studies

Or, an advanced course at one of the Colleges of the Fenway (to be decided with an advisor)

Individualized focus area (16 Credits)

Select One (Introductory Courses)

4 credits

AST 140	Media and Race in American Society
AST/ HDA 225	Boys and Men in America
HDS 103	Women, Culture and Society
HDS 105	Sociology of the Media
HIS 165	America Through the Civil War
HIS 167	America Since the Civil War
HIS 215	Africa and Its Global Encounters
LIT 180	Film and Fiction
MUS 130	American Popular Music

 

Select at least one (Intermediate Courses)

4-8 credits

AST 215	Political and Social Change in America
AST 220	Coming to America
AST 257	Race in America
AST/ HDA 258	Religion in America
AST/ HDA 258	Religion in America
COM 255	Media Literacy for Children and Youth
AST 265	Studies in American Popular Culture
AST 290	History, Culture and Spirituality of West Africa
HDP 282	Children and the Media
HIS 245	Women in America
HIS 269	The Sixties
LIT 215	Survey of American Literature
LIT 225	African Literature
LIT 226	Literature and History of the Caribbean
LIT 230	African-American Women Writers
LIT 245	Native-American Literature
LIT 246	African American Literature
MUS 230	African-American Music
MUS 240	World Music Traditions
PHL 230	American Philosophy
PHL 240	Great Ages and Ideas of the Jewish People
THE 238	African-American Theatre

 

Select at least one (Advanced Courses)

4-8 credits

AST 285	Children and Families in American Society
AST/HDA 323	Media Madness
AST/HDA 350	Globalization and Human Rights
AST 365	Studies in American Popular Culture
AST 412	International Summer Internship (Ghana)
COM 440	Media as a Tool for Social Change
HDS 32	Feminist Theories
HIS 402	Advanced Studies in History
LIT 388	Advanced Studies in the Novel
THE 305	African and Caribbean Theatre

American Studies Major without Professional Major /40 credits

Students opting to major in American Studies without a second major should follow the requirements for the 36-credit major as listed above and add the following, for a total of 40 credits:

Select One:

An additional advanced course in American Studies

An internship if not already completed as an advanced course

An advanced course in either the Humanities or Art History

Sample Course Sequence for the American Studies- 40 credit major

First Year	AST 160	American Identities (4 cr.)
	HDS 106	Sociology of Minority Groups (4 cr.)

Successful completion of the WLCE

Second Year	AST 258	Religion in America (4 cr.)
	PHL 230	American Philosophy (4 cr.)
Junior Year	2 courses in focus area (8 cr.)

*If completing the 40 credit major, take one additional required course (4 cr.)

Senior Year

2 courses in focus area (8 cr.)

AST 403

Senior Seminar in American Studies (4 cr.)

Communications Major / B.A. Degree / 36-48 credits

The Communications major combines a foundation in the Arts and Sciences with a theoretical and practical framework for understanding communications, media development, and production. Students learn theories of how media shapes society and a set of skills for creating and implementing media literacy programs for children, youth and adults. This major offers students a unique perspective on how to communicate in both traditional and digital contexts. Students learn to critically analyze, craft, and deliver information using a variety of media—print, TV, radio, and the web. Students will then build on this foundation through one of two focus areas.

Students choose from one of two focus areas:

• The Media Literacy focus is for students interested in careers working with children and families, where it will useful to educate youth to be media-literate.
• The Production focus is for students who aspire to a communications career requiring strong hands-on skills in content development and production for print, video, and digital media. Offers internships for practical experience and access to the job market.

Communications Major with a Professional Major / 36 Credits

Course Requirements: (20 Credits)

Introductory (12 credits)

COM 150	Communication, Persuasion and Propaganda	4 credits
COM 101	Introduction to Media Production	4 credits

 

Choose One

4 credits

HDS 105	Sociology of Media
AST 140	Media and Race in American Society
HDP 282	Children and the Media

Media Literacy ( Choose One)* 4 credits

COM 255	Media Literacy for Children and Youth
COM [new]	Global Perspectives in Media Literacy

 

Advanced (Choose One)*

4 credits

AST 365	Studies in American Popular Culture
AST 403	American Studies Senior Seminar

*Courses used to meet this requirement may not be counted towards other major requirements.

Focus Areas/16 credits

The Media Literacy focus (16 credits) is designed to be combined with one of the professional majors. This focus is for students interested in careers in professions such as schools, libraries, and non-profits. Students choosing this focus will:

• Be theoretically grounded and digitally literate.
• Have courses that provide both the theoretical basis and the practical expertise for developing media education/literacy programs for children and youth.
• Be provided with an intellectually critical view of the world that complements professional preparation for the fields of teaching, social work, juvenile justice and youth advocacy, and child life.

The focus is also recommended for students interested in pursuing a graduate degree in related areas.

Introductory Courses (Choose one) (4 credits)

COM 255	Media Literacy for Children and Youth
HDS 105	Sociology of the Media
LIT 180	Film and Fiction
AST 140	Media and Race in American Society
THE 123	Public Speaking

Intermediate Courses (Choose one) (4 credits)

MUS 279	Music for Children
THE 277	Movement and Drama for Children
VIS 278	Art for Children
HDP 222	Languages and Culture
HDP [new]	Global Perspectives in Media Literacy
HDP 282	Children and the Media
COM 210	Video Production I
COM 222	Designing the Digital Image

Advanced Courses (Choose two) (8 credits)

HDP 362	The Meaning and Development of Play	4 credits
EDU 331	Multicultural Picture Books	2 credits
EDU 332	Multicultural Chapter Books	2 credits
THE 374	Children’s Theater/	4 credits
AST 265	Advanced Studies in Pop Culture	4 credits
COM 410	Video Production II	4 credits
COM 245	Animation and Motion Graphics	4 credits
COM 440	Media as a Tool for Social Change	4 credits
COM [new]	Internship in Communications	4 credits

Communications Major without a Professional Major / 48 Credits

Students must complete the 20 credits of core requirements listed above for the 36 credit major and the 28 credit Media Production Focus.

Media Production Focus (28 credits)

The Media Production focus designed for students without one of the professional majors, opting to pursue careers requiring strong hands-on skills in content development and production for print, video, and digital media. This focus offers internships for practical experience and access to the job market and delivers a strong foundation in industry-standard software .Students choosing this focus will:

• Gain hands-on experience in a range of traditional and alternative media including production, graphic design, video production, animation, and motion graphic.
• Gain the skills necessary to create various forms of communications, including print, video, and digital and electronic applications.
• Complete an internship, gaining professional experience and mentoring.

Choose 7 (4 credits each) (28 credits)

COM 222	Designing the Digital Image
COM 210	Video Production I
COM 230	New Media I
COM 245	Animation and Motion Graphics
COM 410	Video Production II
COM 425	Digital Storytelling
COM 430	New Media II
COM [new]	Internship

Suggested Course Sequence- 36 credit with professional major

First Year	COM 150	Communication, Persuasion and Propaganda
Second Year	COM 101	Introduction to Media Production
	AST 140	Media and Race in American Society
Junior Year	HDP 282	Children and the Media
	COM 255	Media Literacy for Children and Youth
	COM 224	Designing the Digital Image
	AST 403	Senior Seminar in American Studies
Senior Year	COM 440	Media as a Tool for Social Change
	COM [new]	Internship in Communications

Suggested Course Sequence- 48 credit without professional major

First Year	COM 150	Communication, Persuasion and Propaganda
Second Year	COM 101	Introduction to Media Production
	AST 140	Media and Race in American Society
	COM 210	Video Production I
	COM 230	New Media I
Junior Year	COM 224	Designing the Digital Image
	COM 410	Video Production II
	COM 245	Animation and Motion Graphics
Senior Year	COM 425	Digital Storytelling
	COM 440	Media as a Tool for Social Change
	COM [new]	Internship in Communications

B.A./Political Science and Global Studies with a professional Major / 36-40 credits

The Political Science and Global Studies major introduces students to American politics, comparative and international politics, and the impact of globalization on rich and poor nations. Courses will explore topics as varied as the politics of sex trafficking, the struggle for global human rights, the relationship between food and power, working with refuges, and international movements for economic, gender, racial, and environmental justice. Students explore important historical and cultural trends, political institutions, and emerging political and social issues. The interdisciplinary major seeks to understand the complex relations among states as well as the historical roots of contemporary political forces and problems. The major provides students with an international and multicultural lens that complements professional preparation.

Course Requirements: (36 credit options)

AST 154

Introduction to American Government

4 credits

Global Perspectives (choose one)* 4 credits

 

PSG 100	Issues in Globalization	4 credits
PSG/HDA 226	Perspectives on Global Health	4 credits
PSG 2XX	Women and Globalization	4 credits

American History (choose one)* 4 credits

 

HIS 165	America through the Civil War	4 credits
HIS 167	America since the Civil War/	4 credits
HIS 245	Women in America	4 credits
AST 220	Coming to America	4 credits
AST 257	Race in America	4 credits
HDA2XX	Native American People and Culture	4 credits

Intermediate (choose one)* 4 Credits

 

PSG 260	Food and Globalization	4 credits
AST 265	Gender and Politics	4 credits
PSG2XX	Comparative Politics	4 credits

Advanced (choose one)* 4 Credits

 

AST 403	Senior Seminar in American Studies	4 credits
PSG 410	Internship in Political Science and Global Studies	4 credits

*Courses used to meet this requirement may not be counted toward the individualized focus area.

Individualized focus area (16 Credits)

In selecting their electives, students will work with an advisor to develop an area of study. The wide range of courses offered allows students to create a coherent focus around themes, topics, periods or debates within political science and global studies.

Introductory Courses (choose one) 4 credits

 

AST 140	Media and Race in American Society	4 credits
AST 160	American Identities	4 credits
COM 150	Communication, Persuasion and Propaganda	4 credits
HDA120	Cultural Anthropology	4 credits
HDS 106	Sociology of Minority Groups	4 credits
HDS 103	Women, Culture and Society	4 credits
HIS 151	Women, Work & Family in Modern Europe	4 credits
HIS 165	America Through the Civil War	4 credits
HIS 167	America Since the Civil War	4 credits
HIS 194	Europe in the Age of Discovery	4 credits
PSG 101	Issues in Globalization/	4 credits
PSG 1XX	Women and Globalization	4 credits
PSGXXX	Politics of Democracy, Law and Justice	4 credits
PHL 150	World Religions	4 credits

Intermediate Courses (choose one or two) 4-8 Credits

 

AST 215	Political and Social Change in America	4 credits
AST 265	Gender and Politics	4 credits
AST/HDA 22	Anthropology of American Men	4 credits
AST 220	Coming to America	4 credits
AST 257	Race in America/	4 credits
COM 250	Apocalyptic America/	4 credits
COM 265	The African Diaspora Speaks	4 credits
HDA/PSG 226	Perspectives on Global Health	4 credits
HDA2XX	Native American People and Culture	4 credits
HIS 208	Twentieth Century European History	4 credits
HIS 215	Africa and Its Global Encounters	4 credits
HIS 245	Women in America	4 credits
HIS 235	America and the World	4 credits
HIS 260	The Sixties	4 credits
LIT 230	African American Women Writers	4 credits
LIT 245	Native American Literature	4 credits
PSG XXX	Food and Globalization	4 credits
PSG2XX	Comparative Politics	4 credits
PSG2XX	Working with Refugees	4 credits
PSGXXX	The Politics of Sex Trafficking	4 credits

Advanced Courses ( choose at least one) 4-8 credits

   

COM 440	Media for Social Change	4 credits
COM 265	African Diaspora Speaks	4 credits
AST/HDA 350	Globalization and Human Rights	4 credits
HDS 322	Feminist Theories	4 credits
HIS 414	Social History of America’s Working People	4 credits
PSG XXX	Politics of Non-profits/	4 credits
PSG XXX	Money, Capitalism and Politics	4 credits

Political Science and Global Studies major without Professional Major / 40 credits

Students opting to major in Political Science and Global Studies without a second major should follow the requirements for the 36-credit major as listed above and add the following, for a total of 40 credits:

Select One:

• An additional advanced course in Political Science and Global Studies.
• An internship.
• An independent study to enrich your individualized focus.

Suggested Course Sequence

First Year	AST 140	Introduction to American Government
	PSG 100	Issues in Globalization
Second Year	AST 220	Coming to America
	AST 265	Gender and Politics,
	PSG 1XX	Politics of Democracy, Law and Justice
Junior Year	PSG 2XX	The Politics of Sex Trafficking
	AST/HDA350	Globalization and Human Rights
Senior Year	AST 403	Senior Seminar in American Studies
	PSG XXX	Media Money, Capitalism and Politics