Master of Arts in American Studies
for diverse scholarship practiced in a vibrant cultural and educational gathering place, choose American Studies at the University of Wyoming
The American Studies M.A. candidate
pursues a curriculum which may include courses from a variety of disciplines
but which centers upon the American experience. The student develops a
concentration in one or two areas (attitudes toward nature, the history of
the built environment, or visual culture, for example) including both
American Studies courses and supporting work in such other fields as
anthropology, sociology, art, philosophy and political science. The program
of study will reflect the student's interests and background and should
consolidate the student's interdisciplinary work into a coherent
investigation of American life and thought.
Specialized opportunities in American Studies...
We'd like to know what kind of scholar you could be in the American Studies program.
Funded opportunities
Teaching Assistantships – develop a teaching portfolio in an American Studies classroom.
Research Assistantships – assist an American Studies staff member or conduct original research at the American Heritage Center.
External Assistantships – work with the Wyoming Council for the Humanities or the Wyoming Folk and Traditional Arts program.
Specialized opportunities in American Studies
Environment and Natural Resources
Peace Corps Fellowship (limited to Returned Peace Corps Volunteers)
At the University of Wyoming you'll find the choices and benefits of a major university with a small college atmosphere. In our American Studies Program you'll enjoy a low student-faculty ratio that allows you to get to know your instructor and your classmates while exploring the many cultures our country encompasses.
Degree Completion Requirements
Useful Links
graduate school course description entry for American Studies from the online Graduate School Bulletin
visit the UW graduate school - here you'll find lots of information about graduate study at UW
apply for admission to the graduate school - including on-line and printable forms
graduate school forms - a complete list of downloadable forms in pdf format
learn about funding options for graduate school
apply for a graduate assistantship - [pdf format]
information for international students
download the Graduate Student Handbook [pdf format]
our environment - impressions of the program, the university, and the town of Laramie
Historic Preservation The Historic Preservation emphasis, including studio courses and field experiences, combines cultural studies and technical knowledge of the built environment. An American Studies approach to Historic Preservation emphasizes a humanistic view of preservation. Thus, student projects have focused on historic school structures, log buildings on high mountain ranches, and mining landscapes. Historic preservation students should prepare themselves with work in history of American architecture. Students applying to the historic preservation track may be able to enter under the auspices of the Western Regional Graduate Program. For eligibility enquire through the American Studies Office.
Peace Corps Fellowship Each year the Program
supports a limited number of Peace Corps Fellows. All are expected to
complete the requirements for the M. A. degree in American Studies, but, in
lieu of a traditional Graduate Assistantship, each Fellow is placed in a
local non-profit organization or social service agency, thereby fulfilling
both the third goal and the spirit of service of the Peace Corps. Qualified
applicants should contact the Program for special application procedures.
Degree
Completion
Requirements At the time of the thesis defense (Plan A)
or the oral examination (Plan B), each M.A. candidate must present a brief
position paper which outlines the student's research interests within the
interdisciplinary field.
Master of Arts, Plan A requires 26 hours plus thesis.
If the student elects Plan A (an appropriate
choice if the ultimate goal is a doctorate), the thesis may rely on one of
the traditional disciplines but should contain an interdisciplinary
perspective which integrates the topic into the stream of American culture.
Master of Arts, Plan B requires 30 hours, no thesis.
If the student follows Plan B, s/he is expected to present to the examining committee a seminar paper or papers of publishable caliber, more limited in scope than the thesis but of equal rigor in conception and execution. The student will complete a written examination based on a reading list, the composition of which will be agreed on by the student and his or her graduate committee. The written examination, the position paper and the Plan B paper(s) will then be the subject of an oral defense.
The interdisciplinary approach to our program brings you a wide variety of course choices that cross department and college boundaries, letting you choose from the best of many UW disciplines. These provide the basis for the diverse scholarship practiced in a cultural and educational gathering place like American Studies.
our environment
The University of Wyoming is the state's only four-year educational institution, and its six colleges boast an enrollment of approximately 8500 undergraduates and 2000 graduate students.
more about the University of Wyoming...
Laramie The setting for your studies is Laramie, a
Western community of nearly 30,000, located on the high plains in the
southeastern portion of the state. From here students have access to
National Forests, National Parks, the Wind River Indian reservation, as well
as lands administered by the BLM and other federal and state agencies. This
location offers the student unique opportunities for cultural research as
well as diverse recreational settings.
The Cooper House This distinctive building is the home of
American Studies at the University of Wyoming. A local landmark and listed
historic building, the house is an eclectic mélange of Pueblo, Mission and
Art Deco styles.
more about the Cooper house...
