+ American Culture Studies

101 East Hall, 419-372-8886

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the baccalaureate degree, students in American cultural studies are expected to:

• Think in an interdisciplinary way, drawing on holistic, critical and connective models of analysis;
  
• Communicate orally and in writing about the cultural contexts of human expression and behavior;
  
• Discuss the multicultural and pluralistic nature of American culture and the diversity of our national cultural heritage;
  
• Investigate relationships among theories of culture and various cultural traditions.
  

Major, Bachelor of Arts—minor required
(36 hours)

An interdisciplinary program dedicated to the holistic study of American culture, society and institutions, American culture studies offers individualized programs which focus on the American experience. American culture studies courses develop the skills and methods appropriate to cultural studies and serve to integrate the substance of other disciplines into coherent patterns reflecting the complexity of American life and our national heritage. The director of American culture studies and the undergraduate adviser help students design programs using courses in the humanities and social sciences suited to their needs and interests within the general requirements of the program and the college.

The program requires a minimum of 36 hours, including the following:

• ACS 200, 400 (6)
• ACS 230, 250 or 300 (3)
• HIST 205, 206 (6)
• Emphasis area (21)

Emphasis areas include American Thought and Expression, American Society and Institutions, Comparative Cultures, Culture and Community, and Society and Change. Each of these areas allows the student to work across departmental lines to develop a program that is interdisciplinary in approach while focused in purpose. Within each area, students have the opportunity to design a program (in consultation with the undergraduate adviser) uniquely suited to individual needs and interests. Of the 21 hours in the chosen area, at least two departments must be represented and no more than nine hours in a single discipline may be counted toward fulfillment of this requirement; 15 of the 21 hours must be upper division.

• Minor (21 hours)
• HIST 205, 206 (6)
• ACS 200, 400 (6)
• Courses outside the major selected in consultation with the American culture studies adviser (9)