Program of American Studies

Director and Professor: J. Attebery

Bachelor of Arts in American Studies

The American Studies program offers students a broadly based, flexible, interdisciplinary approach to education. In so doing, the program challenges students to discover from a number of directions the complexity of human thought and society. Graduates can find their places in many fields, such as foreign service, civil service, public relations, and law. They also may choose to pursue further professional training in graduate programs in any of the areas chosen for emphasis. Students are encouraged to consult with the American Studies Director to design programs that meet personal aspirations. Students desiring teaching certification in American Studies must meet the requirements established by the College of Education.

Requirements

Beyond the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Arts and Sciences, American Studies majors will complete four degree components: an American Studies component and three areas of emphasis.

American Studies Component

AMST 200  Introduction to American Studies     3 cr
AMST 495  Senior Seminar                       3 cr
Electives in American Studies to bring total credits to 18

Emphasis Area 1

A minimum of 24 credits from one of the following disciplines: English, history, political science, sociology, anthropology, or psychology.

Emphasis Area 2

A minimum of 18 credits from another of the departments listed above or substitute mass communication, economics, philosophy, biology, geology, or education.

Emphasis Area 3

A minimum of 12 credits from any one of the disciplines already listed or, with permission from the American Studies Director, courses offered by multiple departments but focusing on a single topic.

Minor in American Studies

The American Studies minor is designed to give the student majoring in another field an interdisciplinary knowledge of American culture. The minor requires 18 credits in American studies, including the introductory course, AMST 200, and one senior seminar, AMST 401 or 402, or a substitute, cross-listed seminar approved by the program director. The remaining 12 credits must be divided equally between courses cross-listed with humanities and social science disciplines. No more than 6 credits cross-listed with any single discipline may be counted toward the minor.

American Studies Courses

AMST 100 Introduction to American Language and Cultures 3 credits. Introduction to the forms, uses, and conventions of American English, with emphasis upon their cultural origins and functional varieties. Intended primarily for speakers of standard English as second language or second dialect. May be graded P/NP (with a pass requiring "C" work). D

AMST 101 Introduction to American Government 3 credits. Constitutional basis, structure, and administrative organization of the national government. Cross-listed as POLS 101. Satisfies Goal 11 of the General Education Requirements. F, S, Su

AMST 106 American Music 3 credits. A listening-oriented course for general students focusing on American folk, popular and art music styles. No music reading/performance skills assumed. Cross-listed as MUSC 106. Satisfies Goal 6 of the General Education Requirements. D

AMST 111 U.S. History I (to 1865) 3 credits. Colonial origins and achievement of independence, constitutional government, national boundaries, and the preservation of the union. Cross-listed as HIST 111. Satisfies Goal 9 of the General Education Requirements. F, S

AMST 112 U.S. History II (to present) 3 credits. The domestic and international development of a plural, industrial society. Cross-listed as HIST 112. Satisfies Goal 9 of the General Education Requirements. F, S

AMST 200 Introduction to American Studies 3 credits. This course will introduce essential themes in American studies, will outline a basic canon of interdisciplinary knowledge, and will discuss methods with which aspects of American cultural life may be analyzed. Fulfills Goal 9 of the General Education Requirements. D

AMST201-202 Issues in American Studies 3 credits. Consideration of American culture, designed for sophomores, to demonstrate the interdisciplinary approach to knowledge through multiple documents such as those from mass media, sociology, literature, history, or fine arts. Issue, theme, or timeblock focus varies with each course offering. D

AMST 203 American Studies Laboratory 1 credit. Laboratory credit given for active participation in relating course work in any American Studies course to evidence of regional culture in southeastern Idaho. Credit requires approval of major advisor and program director. D

AMST 210 History and Appreciation of Photography 3 credits. Discovery of the photographic process and its evolution to present. Analysis of many recognized masters of photography. Cross-listed as M C 210 and ART 210. Satisfies Goal 6 of the General Education Requirements. F, S

AMST 212 Introduction to Folklore/Oral Tradition 3 credits. Categories, functions, contexts, and modes of transmission of folk stories, songs, proverbs, games, crafts, customs, and other traditional lore. Cross-listed as ANTH 212 and ENGL 212. D

AMST 225 United States Military History 3 credits. Survey of the origins and development of the U.S. military with appropriate attention to developments outside the U.S. Cross-listed as HIST 225. D

AMST 238 Peoples and Cultures of the New World 3 credits. Overview of the indigenous peoples of the New World. Topics include prehistory, history, and ethnology of American Indians. Cross-listed as ANTH 238. Satisfies Goal 10A of the General Education Requirements. D

AMST 248 Social Diversity 3 credits. Examines selected theories and research concerning how race, class, gender and ethnicity intersect in and affect the lives and cultures of the peoples in the United States historically and in contemporary society. Cross-listed as SOC 248. S

AMST 258 Native American History 3 credits. Assesses diversity of North American natives, their life and thought; European impact; federal policy; and natives' response to continual cultural and physical assault. Cross-listed as ANTH 258 and HIST 258. D

AMST 277American Literature 3 credits. Examination of major works and authors in historical perspective with emphasis upon literary and cultural backgrounds. Cross-listed as ENGL 277. D

AMST 278 American Literature 3 credits. Examination of major works and authors in historical perspective with emphasis upon literary and cultural backgrounds. Cross-listed as ENGL 278. D

AMST 290 American Broadcasting 3 credits. Introduction to the history, structure, economics, programming and regulation of broadcasting in the United States. Cross-listed as M C 290. PREREQ: M C 119. F

AMST 291 The Historian's Craft 3 credits. Takes an interdisciplinary approach to historical research. Trains students in diverse methods of inquiry and analysis. Cross-listed as HIST 291. D

AMST 301-302Junior Seminar in American Studies 3 credits. Discussion and practice in using the topical or issue oriented approach to problems. Topic or issue to be determined by instructors, subject to approval of department chairpersons. D

AMST 397 Workshop 1-2 credits. Workshops aimed at the development and improvement of skills. Does not satisfy requirements for a major or a minor. May be repeated. Graded S/U. D

AMST 401 Senior Seminar in American Studies 3 credits. Seminar using interdisciplinary methodology to explore particular issues in depth. Focus to be determined by instructors, subject to approval of department chairpersons. D

AMST 403 Problems in American Studies 1-6 credits. For any student who wishes to do individual but guided work on a paper or project relating to American culture. Students will need to convince two instructors from different departments and the director of American Studies of the validity of their proposals. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 credits. F, S, Su

AMST 495 Senior Seminar 3 credits.  Capstone course consolidating students' grasp of American Studies by examining an issue through at least two academic disciplines.  Seminar topics will vary.  Students will develop an interdisciplinary research paper.  May be cross-listed.  PREREQ: Senior standing. S

IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY Academic Information  Contact: webmaster@isu.edu Revised: June 2002