Please Note: The program requirements listed below are for students entering in the catalog year 2011-2012.  Students who entered in previous catalog years should refer to the program requirement sheets in the Advising area of MyWheelock. Students entering in future years should follow the requirements in that catalog year.

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.

American Studies with Professional Major (36 credits)

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 285 Children and Families in American Society
• 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 256 Gender and Politics
• AST 257 Race 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 205 Philosophies of Social Justice
• PHL 230 American Philosophy
• PHL 240 Great Ages and Ideas of the Jewish People
• THE 238 African-American Theater
• VIS 265 Women, Art and Society

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

• AST 285 Children and Families in American Society
• AST 365 Studies in American Popular Culture
• 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 Theater

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:

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