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American Studies

Eric J. Sandeen, Director
Cooper House
Phone: (307) 766-3898, FAX: (307) 766-3700
Website: http://www.uwyo.edu/ams

Professors:
JOHN D. DORST, B.A. Oberlin College 1974; M.A. University of California-Berkeley 1977; Ph.D. University of Pennsylvania 1983; Professor of American Studies 1996, 1989.

ERIC J. SANDEEN, B.A. University of Notre Dame 1970; M.A. University of Iowa 1976; Ph.D. 1977; Director of American Studies 1982; Professor of American Studies 1994, 1982.

Assistant Professor:
FRIEDA E. KNOBLOCH, B.A. Cornell University 1985; Ph.D. University of Minnesota 1994; Assistant Professor of American Studies 1997.

Adjunct Faculty: (see Bulletin section following name for academic credentials)
R. MCGREGGOR CAWLEY, political science
BARBARA CHATTON, library science
LEWIS DABNEY, English
COLLEEN DENNEY, art
WILLIAM J. GRIBB, geography
MICHAEL HARKIN, anthropology
BETH LOFFREDA, English
WILLIAM H. MOORE, history
PHILIP J. ROBERTS, history
DAVID ROMTVEDT, English

AUDREY SHALINSKY, anthropology
ROBERT TORRY, English

American Studies Council:
Barbara Chatton (education)
Beth Loffreda (English)
Philip Roberts (history)

The interdisciplinary major in American studies emphasizes the integration of the humanities, fine arts and social sciences in the study of American experience, past and present. The program places special emphasis on interaction with contemporary American culture through course work, field experiences and internships so that each student can apply academic knowledge to real life circumstances. Many students choose among literature, history, geography or anthropology for their distributed course requirements, but major areas of course work may include political science, mass media, the fine arts, sociology, philosophy, or environment and natural resources. With the help of an American Studies program adviser, each student plans an individualized course of study emphasizing as academic interest, a career goal and/or preparation for further education in law or graduate school. Although the focus of the program is broad, many students choose to emphasize nature and culture in the U.S., American cultural diversity, or preparation for a career in the public sector (museums, historic sites, interpretive center, etc.).

Undergraduate Major

The interdisciplinary major in American Studies emphasizes the integration of the humanities, fine arts, and social sciences in the study of American experience, past and present. Through its core of American Studies courses, the program places special emphasis on interaction with contemporary American culture through course work, field experiences, and internships so that each student can apply academic knowledge to real life circumstances. With the help of an American Studies advisor, students can choose courses in almost all disciplines and fields in the College of Arts and Sciences - most typically, literature, history, geography, anthropology, sociology, art history, women’s studies, political science, African American studies, American Indian studies, Chicano studies, or environment and natural resources - for their theme requirements. The individualized course of study proposed by each student should emphasize an academic interest, a career goal, and/or preparation for further education in law school or a graduate program. Although the focus of the program is broad, many students choose to emphasize environmental studies, American cultural diversity, secondary level teaching, or preparation for a career in the public sector (museums, historic sites, interpretive centers, etc.).

Through the following curriculum, students develop individual programs of study, with their advisors, to understand and engage American cultures.

1. Foundation (12 credits): AMST 2010 and AMST 2110 Two of the following: AAST 1000, AIST 1350, CHST 1000, ENR 2000, (either HIST 1210 or HIST 1220), RELI 1000, or WMST 1080.

2. Concentration (27 credits)

Core. Each student must take three AMST courses at the 3000-4000 level, excluding the senior seminar. These seminars are designed to maintain an interdisciplinary view of American culture and to foster an American Studies community (9 credits).

Theme. An American Studies theme is devised, in consultation with the student’s advisor, and is presented to the American Studies core faculty in writing as a proposed course of study. This proposal is usually made at the end of the second year of study (or upon completion of 60 hours of course work toward graduation), since the document guides the student through an exploration of American culture. Typical themes include: American diversity, environment and society, material culture and everyday life, visual culture and media, American cultural history, American institutions and public culture, the United States in international perspective. The theme must include a minimum of 6 credits and a maximum of 9 credits in a single discipline. Up to 3 credits can be granted for courses at the 1000-2000 level (18 credits). 3.

Capstone (6 credits): Senior seminar plus an individual project stemming from either AMST 4010 (independent study) or AMST 4970 (internship).

Students pursuing Program honors should also write an undergraduate thesis.

Internships

The internship experience is essential for students specializing in public sector American studies. The program has an active program of paid internships that can place students in work environments in Wyoming, other parts of the U.S., or in selected foreign countries.

Exchanges

The program has established semester or academic year exchanges with universities in Great Britain, the Netherlands, Denmark and New Zealand in order to encourage an international understanding of American culture. The Elaine Kay Clatterbuck Fund supports majors who are spending this valuable time abroad.

Financial Aid

The William Roberston Coe Fellowship supports undergraduate tuition. The Long-Findeisen Fund supports individual research or exhibition projects. The Elaine K. Clatterbuck Fellowship assists students engaged in an international exchange. The internship program provides students with a stipend while engaged in a program-approved internship.

Teacher Education

Teacher certification in elementary or secondary (social studies) is available by arrangement with the College of Education. Students will be assigned an adviser from the College of Education, as well as from American Studies.

Certificate

The certificate program allows students to choose from undergraduate and graduate courses in American Studies, literature, geography, music, art, history, philosophy, sociology, folklore, anthropology, American Indian studies, political science, environmental studies, and media studies. The program encompasses two semesters of full time work: a total of at least 24 semester hours, or approximately 8 courses. Of these, 6 hours (2 courses) must be selected from the following list:

AMST 2010 or 2110 (3 hours)

and

AMST 4300, 5550 or 4020 (3 hours)

An additional 18 hours (6 courses) are chosen in consultation with an American Studies faculty adviser. The final 3 credit hours, completed during the summer months, are devoted to an internship (AMST 4385) or field experience in American culture (AMST 4990).

Undergraduate Minor

Students may minor in American Studies through a program of 24 credits of study, some which may be matched with major requirements in related disciplines and fields.

For details, see the list of eligible courses at http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/ams.

Graduate Major

A description of the graduate program leading to the M.A. in American studies may be found in the Graduate Bulletin. The program also offers an emphasis on historic preservation. Inquire at the program office.

The late William Robertson Coe of Cody, Wyoming, and New York City made possible, through his generous endowments, both the American studies program and the School of American Studies at the university. Further information on both the undergraduate and graduate program in American studies can be obtained from the American studies director.