Academic Catalog

Interdisciplinary Studies (Pre-Designed) - American Studies Area of Concentration, B.A.

American Studies is an interdisciplinary field of inquiry that is concerned with exploring complex perspectives on American life and society past and present. The concentration enables students to critically examine the interconnected historical, political, social, and cultural dimensions of complex issues in US society and the larger Americas, considering both local and global contexts and relations. Students investigate questions around power and marginalization, contested debates around identity and (un)belonging, experiences and cultural contributions of diverse communities, and learn about social movements and the possibility of change. 

IDST 150Introduction to Cross-Cultural & Social Justice Studies3
or IDST 150H Honors: Introduction to Cross-Cultural and Social Justice
IDST 252Introduction to Critical Ethnic Studies3
IDST 280Introduction to the Interdisciplinary Studies Major and Degree Plan1
Select one Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies course within the IDST 250-259 range 13
IDST 320Methods in Interdisciplinary Studies3
Select two upper level electives within the IDST 350-369 range 2, 36
IDST 401Senior Seminar3
Select three lower level Intersections in American Culture and Society courses (from at least 2 disciplines) of the following:9
Introduction to Latinx Studies
Schools, the Law and Society
Education and Society
Introduction to Mass Media
African American Literature
American Literary Survey
Nature of New England
United States History to 1877 (OR HIST 114 OR HIST 240)
United States Government
Select two upper level History and English courses (at least one from each discipline) of the following:6
The American Renaissance
Visions and Voices: American Ethnic Literature and Art
Faulkner and the Global South
Topics in United States History (American Immigration and Ethnicity)
Select four upper level Comparative United States Ethnic Studies courses (from at least 2 disciplines) chosen in consultation with advisor12
Total Hours49
1

Recommended: IDST 251 Introduction to Urban Studies.

2

Recommended:  IDST 352 Race and Racism from a Global Perspective.

3

With the approval of the students’ IDST advisor, one of the upper level required courses (IDST 350-369) may be replaced by IDST 500 Directed Independent Study, IDST 540 Interdisciplinary Studies Internship, or an elective in the students’ area(s) of study provided the course is interdisciplinary in content/approach.