AMST - American Studies

AMST 101D Introduction to American Studies: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

Introduction to the field of American Studies and to major issues in American history, literature, and the arts.

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Proficiency in analyzing information about social and cultural differences from different viewpoints.
Understanding of the analytical methods and subject matter of the discipline of American Studies.
Critical thinking and written and oral communication skills.
Understanding how Americans understand their positions as local and global citizens.

AMST 201IH American Identity, American Dreams: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

AMST 201IH explores the historical development of the notion of a singular American identity, the reality of varied American identities, and expressions of Americanness in contemporary culture. Iterations of national identity are examined in contexts like American gun culture, the gender-based pay gap, reservation policy and Indian Boarding Schools, LGBTQ activism, the ethos surrounding National Parks, and the popularity of extreme sporting competitions.

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broaden skill sets by expanding their critical thinking and written and oral communication skills through quizzes, discussions, and papers.\\n
critically analyzing elements of popular culture, both current and historical, from different viewpoints.
formulating queries based on American Studies methodology and asking those questions of their sources, classmates, and conclusions.
engage with specific content by examining the kinds of questions practitioners in American Studies ask and explaining the underlying methods guiding the discipline.\\n
using specific examples, describe how ideas and methods in American Studies have changed over time.
demonstrating the ability to interpret American history and American identities through the lens of varied theoretical frameworks.

AMST 202RA The Arts in America: 3 Credits (2 Lec, 1 Other)

PREREQUISITE: WRIT 101W. Uses the methodologies of American Studies to question the history, theory, and criticism of various American art forms and movements. Disciplines covered include: film, photography, television, sculpture, painting, architecture, and music

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Recognize the various sounds of hip hop, country and jazz.
Discuss the connections between American music and culture
Explore and interpret how these styles of music can express and inform American values, beliefs, and ideas.
Conduct ethnographic research and discuss findings in a public forum.

AMST 291 Special Topics: 3 Credits (3 Other)

PREREQUISITE: None required but some may be determined necessary by each offering department. Courses not required in any curriculum for which there is a particular one-time need, or given on a trial basis to determine acceptability and demand before requesting a regular course number

AMST 301 Reproduction in America: 3 Credits (3 Other)

PREREQUISITE: WRIT 101W Provides historical context for human reproduction and examines the ways in which women and men in America - both in the past and in contemporary culture - adapt and shape reproductive practices to the unique events of their lives

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gain knowledge of the history of reproduction in America and the processes by which that history has been constructed.
apply reproductive theory to contemporary public policy issues.
perform collaborative and individual projects to interpret and analyze topics related to reproduction.
develop critical thinking and written and oral communication skills as they interact with a variety of sources, including oral histories and archival materials.
experience inter- and multidisciplinary thinking and research methodologies
explore the connections between reproductive history, American identity, and the discipline of American Studies.

AMST 401R Seminar in American Studies: 4 Credits (4 Other)

PREREQUISITE: AMST 201D. Capstone course in American Studies. Students will research and design solutions to contemporary problems in American Society. Co-convened with AMST 501 and 502

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Communicate the interdisciplinary methods central for American Studies;
Understand the history of the field and the current debates that animate scholarly investigation;
Demonstrate the ability to write with critical analysis and clarity.

AMST 410 Religion and the United States Supreme Court: 3 Credits (3 Other)

PREREQUISITES: Successful completion of at least one core "D" or "IH" course AND at least two other courses from any of the following: HSTA, HSTR, AMST, RLST, PHL, PSCI, NASX, SOCI. This course investigates the symbiotic relationship between American religion and the US Supreme Court. Topics include legal discourse surrounding religious freedom, the legal status of minority religions, and the social impact of landmark Supreme Court decisions

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• Investigate the role of religion in landmark USSC decisions

• Discuss the intertwining forces of religion, race and gender in American legal discourse

• Research the history, legal opinions, and social impact of a specific USSC ruling

AMST 490 Undergraduate Research: 1-6 Credits (1-6 Other)

PREREQUISITE: AMST 101 or 201; Junior or Senior status, consent of instructor and approval of Program Director
Course will address responsible conduct of research. Directed research and study on an individual basis.
Repeatable up to 6 credits.

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Working with a faculty mentor, students will develop a course of study that demonstrates:
           The ability to locate relevant information from broad and diverse sources
           Critical and creative thinking to synthesize information
           A scholarly product based on both existing information and student effort (e.g., analysis, synthesis, design, etc.)
           The ability to successfully collaborate as a member of a team (when applicable).
           An understanding of the responsible conduct of research.

AMST 491 Special Topics: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Course prerequisites as determined for each offering. Courses not required in any curriculum for which there is a particular one-time need, or given on a trial basis to determine acceptability and demand before requesting a regular course number

AMST 492 Independent Study: 1-6 Credits (1-6 Other)

PREREQUISITE: AMST 101 or 201; Junior or Senior status, consent of instructor and approval of Program Director. Directed research and study on an individual basis
Repeatable up to 6 credits.

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Working with a faculty mentor, students will develop a course of study that demonstrates:
           The ability to locate relevant information from broad and diverse sources
           Critical and creative thinking to synthesize information
           A scholarly product based on both existing information and student effort (e.g., analysis, synthesis, design, etc.)
           The ability to successfully collaborate as a member of a team (when applicable).

AMST 498 Internship: 1-12 Credits (1-12 Other)

PREREQUISITE: AMST 101 or 201; Junior or Senior status, consent of instructor and approval of Program Director. An Individualized assignment arranged with an agency, business, or other organization to provide guided experience in the field

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Working with a faculty mentor, students will develop a course of study that demonstrates:

           Application of knowledge gained in upper level division American Studies Courses.
           Critical and creative thinking to synthesize information
           The ability to successfully collaborate as a member of a team (when applicable).
Students will demonstrate skill-based knowledge within a professional environment

AMST 501 Methods in American Studies: 3 Credits (3 Other)

Introduction to major trends in American Studies scholarship, with a particular focus on American Studies in an international context. The course will also introduce students to the range of scholarship in the American Studies program. Co-convened with AMST 401R.

AMST 502 Research in American Studies: 3 Credits (3 Other)

PREREQUISITE: AMST 501. Graduate research and advanced readings in American Studies. Co-convened with AMST 401R

AMST 575 Professional Paper: 1-6 Credits (1-6 Other)

(F, Sp, Su) A research or professional paper dealing with a topic in the field. The student, their major advisor, and graduate committee must have agreed on the topic.
Repeatable up to 6 credits.

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Identify appropriate research methods for the specific topic.
Analyze and synthesize relevant information.
Demonstrate strong written communication.
Produce significant findings that assist with advancing the scholarship of American Studies.

AMST 590 Master's Thesis: 1-9 Credits (1-9 Other)

(Offered on demand.).
Repeatable up to 99 credits.

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Generate research questions based on interdisciplinary methods and scholarly literature.
Conceptualize, design, and implement a research project of significant scope to complete a thesis.
Assess the strengths and weaknesses of various methodological approaches relevant to a research question.
Analyze information/data and synthesize information to generate new knowledge/understanding.

AMST 591 Special Topics: 3 Credits (3 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing or seniors by petition. Course prerequisites as determined for each offering. Advanced study of topics in the discipline, in courses not required in any curriculum, including experimental offerings of visiting professors, trial offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics

AMST 592 Independent Study: 1-4 Credits (1-4 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing, consent of instructor, approval of department head and Vice Provost of Graduate Education. Directed research and study on an individual basis
Repeatable up to 8 credits.

AMST 594 Seminar: 1 Credits (1 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing. Graduate level topics which are not covered in other courses. Students will prepare and present discussion material

AMST 689 Doctorial Reading and Research: 3-6 Credits (3-6 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Doctoral standing. Presentation and discussion of dissertation research and writing
Repeatable up to 15 credits.

AMST 690 Doctoral Thesis: 1-10 Credits (1-10 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Doctoral standing
Repeatable up to 99 credits.