American Studies

B.A. in American Studies

The American Studies Program provides an opportunity for students to study American society and culture through the application of interdisciplinary perspectives and techniques.The drama and diversity of America's past and present, its values, institutions, habits, and character are examined in courses drawn from such fields as history, literature, philosophy and theology, the social sciences, art, music and other disciplines.The Program includes specially designed introductory and upper-level courses taught by faculty committed to the use of wide-ranging and interdisciplinary sources in examining the American experience.The Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies is offered; a minor is also available.A degree in American Studies provides excellent preparation for a career in education, law, government, journalism, social-services occupations, and business. For further information, contact Dr. George Sirgiovanni, Program Chairperson at 973-290-4305 or by email: gsirgiovanni@cse.edu.

Requirements for the Major

• AMST 101     Introduction to American Studies
• HIS 101       Survey of American History I
• HIS 111       Survey of American History II
• AMST 467     American Studies Capstone Seminar

One Course from each of the following categories:

Literature

• ENG 265      Studies in American Literature
• ENG 300      Seminar in Major Literary Figures (when topic is appropriate)      
• ENG 310      Seminar in a Literary Tradition (when topic is appropriate)
• ENG 315      Seminar in Literature and Cultural Context (when topic is appropriate)   

Philosophy and Theology

• PHIL 213    American Philosophy
• THEO 205   Christian Marriage and Family
• THEO 237   The American Catholic Experience
• THEO 250   Introduction to Christian Ethics
• THEO 260   Religion in America

Social Science

• ED 145       Issues in American Education
• SOC 201    Social Problems
• SOC 251    Sociology of the Family
• SOC 311    Criminology
• SOC 321    Urban Sociology
• SOC 323    Social Stratification

Multicultural America

• AMST 273  American Culture Studies
• FLAN 243   Hispanics in the United States: History and Culture
• SOC 325   Race and Ethnic Relations in America

Aesthetics

• ART 245   Insights into Culture Through Visual Art: Selected Topics (when topic is    appropriate)
• ENG 228   American Film
• MUS 151  The Broadway Musical: America's Major Contribution to Theater
• MUS 233  American Music

History

•  HIS 215   American Economic History
• HIS 220   Post-World War II America
• HIS 230   History with Film
• HIS 235   African-American History
• HIS 241   New Jersey History
• HIS 245   Women's History
• HIS 351   American Diplomatic History
• HIS 355   American Social History
• HIS 361   American Intellectual History
  

Politics

• PS 105     American Politics
• PS 211    State and Local Government
• PS 221    Law and Contemporary American Society
• PS 241    Public Policy and Administration
• PS 361    The American Presidency
• PS 371    American Constitutional Law

* With the approval of the Director of the American Studies Program, students may take AMST 491 Independent Study and/or AMST 495 Internship and apply them to the major’s 33 required credits. In such cases, the Program Chairperson will determine which category requirement(s) above will be substituted for by AMST 491 and/or AMST 495.

* With the approval of the Chairperson of the American Studies Program, students may apply WS 395 Seminar inWomen’s Studies to the American Studies major’s 33 required credits. For approval to be given, the independent research project that the student completes for WS 395 must be appropriate to American Studies. In such cases, the Program Chairperson will determine which category requirement above will be substituted for by WS 395.

* Students must complete, in addition to the Capstone Seminar, at least two 300/400-level courses among the courses they take to complete the American Studies major.

* American Studies students can apply a maximum of three courses in any single subject toward completion of this major.

Capstone Requirement:

The Capstone Requirement for the American Studies major consists of writing a substantial research paper, involving the use of primary-source material, on an approved topic pertinent to this interdisciplinary field. This paper will be completed by students as part of the requirements of AMST 467 American Studies Capstone Seminar. Students enrolled in this Seminar will verbally present their completed papers to classmates and professors who teach in the American Studies Program.

Minor in American Studies

To Minor in American Studies, a student must complete 18 credits according to the following pattern:

Requirements for the Minor:

• AMST 101    Introduction to American Studies
• HIS 101      Survey of American History I

OR 

• HIS 111      Survey of American History II
• ENG 265      Studies in American Literature
• Electives*
  

* In consultation with the Program Chairperson, American Studies minors select 9 credits of elective courses, with at least one being a 300-level offering.