American & New England Studies

(including Preservation Studies)

• CAS AM 501: Research Seminar in American Studies
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120).
  American Studies majors and minors complete their program of study by undertaking a one- or two- semester (AM 501 and/or AM 502) senior project based on original research or criticism. Topics vary by semester. Topic for Fall 2023: Arctic Humanities. Topics for Spring 2024: Section A1: Adaptive Reuse and Revitalization. Section B1: Arctic Humanities. Effective Fall 2023, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing-Intensive Course, Research and Information Literacy.
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  • Research and Information Literacy
  • Writing-Intensive Course
• CAS AM 502: Research Seminar in American Studies
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: First Year Writing Seminar.
  American Studies majors and minors complete their program of study by undertaking a one- or two- semester (AM 501 and/or AM 502) senior project based on original research or criticism. Topics vary by semester. Effective Spring 2024, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU HUB areas: Writing-Intensive, Research and Information Literacy. Topic for Spring 2024: Music and the Black Radical Tradition.
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  • Research and Information Literacy
  • Writing-Intensive Course
• CAS AM 505: The American South in History, Literature, and Film
  Explores the American South through literature, film, and other sources. Considers what, if anything, has been distinctive about the Southern experience and how a variety of Americans have imagined the region over time. Also offered as CAS HI 505. Effective Spring 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Aesthetic Exploration, Historical Consciousness.
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  • Aesthetic Exploration
  • Historical Consciousness
• CAS AM 546: Places of Memory: Historic Preservation Theory and Practice
  Covers key aspects of the history, theory, and practice of historic preservation. Preservation is discussed in the context of cultural history and the changing relationship between existing buildings and landscapes and attitudes toward history, memory, invented tradition, and place. Also offered as CAS AH 546 and CAS HI 546.
• CAS AM 554: Preservation Planning
  Introduces students to local, state, and national government policies and practices intended to protect historically and aesthetically significant structures. In addition, the course covers planning approaches aimed at managing redevelopment in established neighborhoods, to create livable and sustainable communities.
• CAS AM 555: Boston Architectural and Community History Workshop
  Focuses on class readings, lectures, and research on a single neighborhood or community in Boston (or Greater Boston). Greatest emphasis is on using primary sources-- land titles and deeds, building permits, fire insurance atlases and other maps. Explores places and sources that help assess and narrate the rich history of architectural and urban development.
• CAS AM 567: Topics in American Material Culture
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: junior or senior standing or consent of instructor.
  An interdisciplinary research seminar exploring a topic in American material culture. Specific content will vary by semester and may be repeated for credit as topics change. Topic for Spring 2024: Tasting Technology: The Material Culture of Mass Food from Meat to MSG.
• GRS AM 735: Studies in American Culture
  Graduate Prerequisites: consent of instructor.
  Introduction to handling of primary materials from a number of disciplines in order to develop an American Studies perspective. Required of all American Studies PhD students.
• GRS AM 736: The Literature of American Studies
  Graduate Prerequisites: consent of instructor.
  Introduction to classic problems in the interpretation of American society and culture. Required of all American Studies PhD students.
• GRS AM 775: Independent Research Project Colloquium
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: Preservation Studies master's student standing.
  Restricted to students in their final semester of the Preservation Studies Master's Program. Provides for the research and writing of an independent, rigorous, and original capstone project in the preservation field, with guidance from faculty.
• GRS AM 867: Material Culture
  Graduate Prerequisites: graduate standing or consent of instructor.
  Introduction to the theory and practice of the interdisciplinary study of material culture, which includes everything we make and use, from food and clothing to art and buildings. Explore contemporary scholarship from a range of disciplines. Also offered as GRS AH 867.
• GRS AM 899: Professional Development Seminar
  Graduate Prerequisites: Completion of required coursework.
  A seminar offering advanced AMNESP PhD students the opportunity to present and discuss works-in-progress and structured guidance for the tasks involved in job applications. Open to PhD students after completing required coursework. Does not fulfill PhD course requirements.