Why study American culture studies at BGSU in Ohio?
- Explore more than one perspective. The American culture studies program attracts students from across the U.S. and the world. It draws on collaborations with faculty in art, English, history, media and communication, philosophy, political science, theatre and film, sociology, sport and leisure studies and other units across BGSU.
- A program with a strong reputation. American culture studies is the BGSU flagship program for interdisciplinary study in the humanities and social sciences at Bowling Green State University.
- Follow your interests. Choose the focus and courses that align with your interests. You’ll learn to do in-depth research and perform critical analysis of the complex experiences and identities associated with American life and culture.
- The skills employers are looking for. Develop skills that are highly valued by employers and useful across a wide range of careers.
- Build critical thinking skills and learn to analyze diverse sources.
- Conduct qualitative research.
- Communicate through public speaking and clear writing.
- Develop nuanced ways of understanding the changing culture in which we live and work.
- Close-knit community. You’ll take core classes in your junior and senior years with other specializations across the cultural and critical studies major (including popular culture, ethnic studies, and women's, gender and sexuality studies). This provides an opportunity to develop a stronger sense of community at BGSU.
- Get involved. Gain leadership skills, network and broaden your knowledge by joining:
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Career - what can you do with an American culture studies specialization?
American culture studies graduates find careers in a variety of fields and settings that rely upon knowledge of American culture and the analytical and communication skills that our program helps students develop.
Graduates find employment in:
- Journalism, editing, publishing and public relations
- Nonprofit and community service organizations
- Government agencies at the national, state and local levels
- Libraries
- Historical and cultural museums
- Urban and regional planning
- Environmental analysis
- Cultural and historical preservation
- Archival management
An American culture studies bachelor’s degree is also great preparation for graduate programs in American studies, cultural studies, literature, history, anthropology, folklore, art history, women’s studies, ethnic studies and other culturally oriented courses of study.
Career paths
- Community organizer
- Nonprofit administrator
- Academic researcher
- Advocate or activist
- Public relations specialist
- Anthropologist
- Archivist
- Journalist
- Museum curator
- Urban planner
Curriculum
The curriculum for the B.A. program in cultural and critical studies with a specialization in American culture studies includes:
- Cultural and critical studies core and elective courses
- American culture studies specialization courses
- Advanced upper division topics courses
- Senior capstone
- Selection of a minor that supports your career goals and interests
We encourage cultural and critical studies majors to pursue internships. Students often choose internships at area museums, magazines and journals, nonprofit organizations, government offices, academic offices and other institutions.
Have questions about the program or the curriculum? Contact 419-372-8886 or ccs@bgsu.edu.
Sample courses
- Cultural Pluralism in the United States
- American Environmental History
- Rock Music Subcultures
- Animation in Film & TV: Gender & Race
- American Consumer Culture
- Drugs/Alcohol in US History
- History of American Comedy
- American TV Drama Antiheroes
- War and Cinema
- Food & the American Identity
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Frequently asked questions
You may hear students saying they’re majoring in American culture studies. But at BGSU, American culture studies is technically a specialization within the cultural and critical studies program.
This means that the degree you receive at graduation will be a Bachelor of Arts in cultural and critical studies. Think of cultural and critical studies as the broader degree program and American culture studies as the area you choose to focus your studies.
You can also pursue American culture studies as a minor to complement a different major.
American culture studies examines how people, institutions, ideas and cultural expressions shape American life.
In the BGSU program, you will ponder questions like “What is the meaning of America – and how has that meaning changed over time?,” “How does gender, race, class and ethnicity shape how we understand American life?” and “What role does the United States play in the world?”
You’ll examine American culture from different perspectives and through different forms of expression – from history and literature to television, music, video games, social media and other emerging forms of culture.
An interdisciplinary focus is what sets apart the BGSU American culture studies degree program. It means that you won’t study American culture from just one point of view. You will connect ideas from history, literature, sociology, media, politics, film, music and other fields to understand bigger questions. This gives you the chance to explore topics from different perspectives and see how they connect to everyday life.
You will develop critical thinking, qualitative research, source analysis, public speaking and clear writing skills. These skills can be applied to careers in journalism, nonprofit organizations, government, museums, libraries, public relations and other fields that require research and communication.
Graduates of the BGSU bachelor’s degree program in American culture studies can pursue careers in journalism, publishing, public relations, nonprofit and community organizations, government, libraries, museums, archives, cultural preservation and urban planning. The degree can also prepare you for graduate study in fields such as American studies, cultural studies, history, anthropology, literature, folklore and related disciplines.
Hands-on learning opportunities are a key part of the BGSU American culture studies degree.
- Research projects
- Internships with museums, nonprofits, government offices, magazines and other organizations
- A senior capstone
These opportunities allow you to investigate real-world questions about American culture and share your ideas in meaningful ways. You might work with primary sources, media, interviews or other research materials. and internships can give you experience.
The American culture studies specialization of the cultural and critical studies program is offered through the School of Cultural and Critical Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Updated: 10/05/2026 03:55PM