American Studies majors create an emphasis devoted to the close study of social and cultural issues crucial to the practice of American Studies. Advanced work in at least two other departments or programs allows each student to study areas tailored to their own individual education goals. Sample emphases include Youth Education, Social Justice and Social Movements; Popular Culture; Comparative Racial and Ethnic Studies; Nature, Culture and the Environment; Militarism and Incarceration; Queer and Trans Studies; Disability, Health, and Illness; and Food and Culture. Students have the option of writing a senior thesis or completing a creative capstone project, are encouraged to study abroad or participate in other forms of global education and are encouraged to explore new career possibilities through internships—all of which can count toward the major units with permission of the advisor.

Career Alternatives

As an interdisciplinary major, American Studies offers students the choice of a variety of subject matter and approaches. This flexibility means that graduates are prepared to move into a broad range of career settings. Our alumni have become lawyers, teachers, social workers, urban planners, software engineers, filmmakers, professors, professional writers and comedians, marketing and communications professionals, librarians, museum curators, community organizers, and non-profit staff and leaders.