Mission Statement

To develop valuable critical skills and diverse perspectives in the study of American culture past and present. As a unique interdisciplinary field of study with a long intellectual tradition, American Studies seeks to empower students with combinations of useful analytical tools for exploring the complexity and diversity of American culture.  

Statement of Educational Goals

  1. Active, student-centered learning in discussion-based classes where students share significant responsibility for the day-to-day work of the class.
  2. Writing, reading, and speaking intensive courses in a rigorous liberal arts tradition.
  3. Students conduct original research and engage primary source materials, learning and practicing stages of research, original production, and revision.
  4. Students explore and work analytically with texts, cultural and historical contexts, and relevant theoretical frameworks.
  5. Classes stretch and expand the definition of readable texts and traditional definitions of “America(n)”. This includes an expanded understanding of the United States in multiple global contexts.
  6. Classes incorporate outside activities—field trips, speakers, film screenings, on-site research, and opportunities for practical applications of skills in the local community.
  7. Students are asked to encounter and employ more than one disciplinary perspective or methodology in their own original work.
  8. Instructors model multi- and interdisciplinary approaches to complex problems, topics, and questions.
  9. The program adds to the broader campus culture through its programmatic support and active collaboration with individuals and groups.
  10. The program strives to model for its students and for the college as a whole, the inherent possibilities, meanings, and value of interdisciplinary education.
 

The Major

American Studies at Lafayette College is a flexible degree program that allows students to study American culture and society from an interdisciplinary perspective. American Studies is unique in its efforts to combine distinct fields of inquiry; it investigates, for example, where History merges with Literature or where Art intersects with Anthropology. The major encourages independence and individuality as it offers students a unique opportunity to structure their own education and to take advantage of the resources of multiple departments at Lafayette.

An American Studies major consists of nine courses, at least three of which are core American Studies courses. Majors are required to take the introductory course, AMS 150, and a topical seminar, AMS 362, such as "Photography in American Culture," "American Indians in American Culture" or "Nature in American Culture." As seniors, majors take an intensive research seminar, AMS 363, in which they write a lengthy paper on a subject of their choice. Beyond the three required core courses, all majors take six 200- and 300-level courses that focus on an interdisciplinary theme or concentration of the student's choice.

The American Studies program also invites students to double major in American Studies and another field of study. Current AMS double majors include students also majoring in Government and Law, English, Psychology, Art, Economics and Business, and Geology.

 
 

Foundational Courses

To engage in interdisciplinary work students must begin by taking foundational courses in several important disciplines. By the end of the sophomore year, the following courses should be completed:

  • American Studies 150

And introductory courses in at least three of the following areas:

  • Anthropology
  • History
  • Art
  • Music
  • Economics
  • Philosophy
  • English
  • Religion
  • Government and Law
  • Sociology

If you do not already have a good background in American history, it is highly recommended that you take History 108 and 109, "Survey of American History." In addition A&S 210: “Contemporary American Society” and English 212: "American Literature and its Backgrounds," are recommended for all majors. As noted above, students are strongly encouraged to take more than one AMS 362 topics seminar.

 
 

Required Courses

All American Studies majors must take the following three core AMS courses:

  1. American Studies 150 "Introduction to American Studies" A broad introduction to American
    Studies as a discipline, this course must be taken as a first-year student or as a sophomore. The class
    is closed to Juniors and Seniors. AMS 150 is offered in both fall and spring semesters.

  2. American Studies 362 "Seminar in American Studies" This topic seminar, which is offered in
    both fall and spring semesters, must be taken by the end of the junior year. Topics of AMS 362 vary
    from semester to semester. Recent topics have included “Photography and Memory in American Culture,”
    “American Censored,” “Indians in American Culture,” and “The 1960s,” and “Inventing America.”
    Students are strongly encouraged to complete more than one AMS 362 as part of their course of
    study.

  3. American Studies 363 "Senior Research Seminar in American Studies" This capstone research
    seminar, which is offered only in the fall term, must be taken in the senior year. American Studies
    363 provides a supportive, coordinated structure for students' independent work on a major project
    or paper. The purpose of the seminar is to allow students to do in-depth, interdisciplinary work on a
    topic of their own choosing and to integrate the courses they have taken.
 

Elective Courses

In addition to the three required American Studies courses, students must take six 200- and 300-level
courses that focus on a thematic concentration relating to American history, society, or culture. The
thematic concentrations bring together courses in different departments on a common subject. The
themes of concentration are:

  • Social Justice in America
  • Popular and “High” Culture in America
  • Business, Work, and Society in America
  • Place in America
  • Independently designed concentration

 

Individuals with questions about the AMS major should contact: Professor Andy Smith, Chair of
American Studies (610-330-5244, smitham@lafayette.edu).