USP Codes are listed in brackets by the 1991 USP code followed by the 2003 USP code (i.e. [M2<>QB]).

1000. Cultures of College: Why We Are Where We Are. 3. [F1, C2<>(none)] Introduces students to backgrounds, environments, assumptions that shape our experience of higher education. Course has two objectives: to familiarize first-year students with college experience through inquiry into meanings of campus, and to familiarize students with interdisciplinary study.

1030. Social Justice in the 21st Century. 3. [{none}<>I, D] Appropriate for students interested in diversity and social justice. Topics covered through an interdisciplinary study of people and society range from identity, critical thinking, empowerment, role models, stereotyping, institutional discrimination, and tolerance. The key lynchpin is active participation in the development and maintenance of just communities.  Cross listed with AAST/ CHST/ WMST/ AIST 1030.  Enrollment preference will be given to We The People FIG students.

2010. Introduction to American Studies. 3. [C1,W2<>CH, WB] Introduces the interdisciplinary study of American culture. Focuses on themes, values and ideas which continue to reverberate through our cultural experience. (Offered at least once each year)

2110. Cultural Diversity in America. 3. [C2<>(none)] Studies processes by which individuals and groups produce, maintain and express cultural identities in various U.S. issues. Race, gender and ethnicity will be addressed, emphasizing historical roots and social context of contemporary cultural variety.

3000. Cultures of Nature in the United States 3. [C1, W2<>(none)] Uses artistic, philosophical, historical and literary material to investigate how ideas about and representations of, nature have changed over time in the U.S. Culminates in an examination of a wide range of contemporary environmental ideas within this broad historical and cultural context. Prerequisite: 2000-level course in one of the following departments: American studies, American history, American literature, or a 2000-level course approved for the ENR program, or consent of instructor. Cross listed with WMST 3000.

3100. Food in American Culture (3). [(none)<>C] An interdisciplinary exploration of food as a medium of cultural expression, social interaction, and aesthetic experience in American life, both past and present.  Examines food as, among other things, a symbolic system, a vehicle of social communication, and an arena for the performance of regional ethnic, gender, etc. identities.  Prerequisites:  any 2000-level course in American Studies, or ANTH1200 or consent of instructor.

3270.  Jesus in America. 3.  Examines the interplay between American religion and American culture by focusing on representations of Jesus.  Students study a wide variety of movements within American Christianity; discuss issues of pluralism, inter-religious contact, and diversity within American religion and culture; and explore relationships between religion and America’s popular and elite cultures.  Cross listed with RELI 3270.  Prerequisites:  USP WB course.

4010. Independent Study. 1-3 (Max. 6). For upper division students in any major who can benefit from independent study in American Studies with minimal supervision. Dual listed with AMST 5010. Prerequisites: 3 hours in American Studies and approval of instructor.

4020. American Folklife. 3. IIntroduces materials and methods of folklife research, examining both verbal and nonverbal expressions of traditional cultures in America. Topics include material culture, belief systems, traditional events and celebrations, and folk performances of many kinds. Dual listed with AMST 5020. Prerequisites: Any six hours from among AMST 2010, 2110, ENGL 2400, AIST 2340, AAST 2450 2730, 3000, 3010. (Offered once each year)

4030. Ecology of Knowledge. 3. Examines the development of “disciplines” and explores definitions, theories, methods and practices of interdisciplinary work. Dual listed with AMST 5030. Prerequisites: 3 hours in any interdisciplinary program.

4051. Environmental Politics. 3. [C2, W3<>(none)] Analyzes environmentalism as a political phenomenon. Provides students with a basic understanding of how to analyze political issues by: (1) examining the historical and contemporary issues that produce controversy over environmental matters; and (2) surveying the impacts of these issues on the formulation and implementation of laws, policies, and regulations. Cross listed with POLS, ENR, G&R and REWM 4051. Prerequisite: POLS 1000.

4052. Federal Land Politics. 3. Examines the political forces that have shaped and continue to shape federal land policy and management. Explores the interactions between democratic decision making and science in the management of federal lands. Surveys the sources of controversy over federal land management and methods for harmonizing public demands with technical expertise. Cross listed with POLS/ENR/G&R/REWM 4052. Prerequisite: POLS 1000.

4200. The Harlem Renaissance. 3. Examines the florescence of African American creativity, centered in Harlem, New York, between the end of World War I and the onset of the Great Depression. Cross listed with AAST 4200. Prerequisites: AAST 1000 and junior standing.

4300. American Culture and the Public Sector. 3. Surveys American culture studies in the public sector. Topics include history and theory of public sector humanities and social sciences; types of public sector jobs and institutions where public humanists work; and public sector work in specific disciplines, such as history, anthropology, folklore, archaeology and art history. Dual listed with AMST 5300. Prerequisite: 12 credits in humanities or social science courses having to do with American culture.

4500. American Civilization. (B) 1-8 (Max. 8). Explores various interdisciplinary approaches to the American experience, past and present. May include topical, thematic, historical, literary and cultural integrations; for a given semester, the course’s precise focus will be indicated in the class schedule.

4546. Agriculture: Rooted in Diversity. 3. [(none)<>C, D] Addresses multiple themes related to diversity in agriculture with the goal of making visible the experiences of minorities and women in agriculture.  Involves significant independent research, class discussion, project development, and development of oral and written communication skills.  Establishes linkages with supporting disciplines.  Cross listed with ENGL/ AAST/ AIST/ CHST/ HIST/ AGRI/ FCSC 4546. Prerequisites:  Junior class standing or consent of instructor and concurrent enrollment or major in any of the following:  ethnic studies, agriculture, American studies, anthropology, English, history, sociology, or women’s studies.

4640. Art and Ecology. 3. [C3, W3<>(none)] Focuses on the intersection of contemporary art with ecological concerns. Readings present philosophical, historical and cultural aspects of the art/ecology relationship; students reflect and question their own beliefs. Examples of art/artists are reviewed as well as how ecological artwork is developed. Students propose solutions and/or create art in, out of, or about the environment; local sites are encouraged. Prerequisites: 6 hours of ART and/or AMST or consent of the instructor.

4900. Field Studies in Historic Preservation. 1-4 (Max. 4). [C1<>(none)] Acquaints students with current issues in historic preservation by visiting places of importance in U.S. and Europe. Agencies and institutions involved in building conservation provide specific expertise at sites visited. Prerequisite: 3 hours of architectural history or 6 hours of art history. (Offered based on sufficient demand and resources)

4970. Internship. 1-3 (Max. 6). Gives undergraduate students practical experience by working on a project at a public institution, agency or educational/cultural organization. Offered for S/U only. Prerequisites: junior standing, 3.0 GPA, completion of AMST 2010 and 12 hours in major with 3.25 GPA minimum in major and consent of instructor.

4985. Senior Seminar. 3. [W3<>WC]. With AMST 4010 or 4970, completes the capstone coursework in AMST. Identifies a broad intellectual tradition in American Studies as foundation for student’s research interests; builds a specific scholarly context appropriate to student’s research; culminates in a substantial piece of written research appropriate in an identified subfield of American Studies. Prerequisite: senior standing in American Studies or consent of the program director.

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