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.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| IDST 150 | Introduction to Cross-Cultural & Social Justice Studies | 3 |
| or IDST 150H | Honors: Introduction to Cross-Cultural and Social Justice | |
| IDST 252 | Introduction to American Ethnic Studies | 3 |
| IDST 280 | Introduction to the Interdisciplinary Studies Major and Degree Plan | 1 |
| Select one Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies course within the IDST 250-259 range 1 | 3 | |
| IDST 320 | Methods in Interdisciplinary Studies | 3 |
| Select two upper level electives within the IDST 350-369 range 2, 3 | 6 | |
| IDST 401 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| 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 advisor | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 49 | |
- 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.