College of Arts and Sciences
American and New England Studies
Minor Concentration in American Studies
Courses
Independent Studies
Director Marilyn Halter
Director of Undergraduate Studies Jessica Sewell
Associated Faculty Blakely (African American Studies); Barrand, Lindholm (Anthropology); Beaudry, Mughal (Archaeology); Hall, Hills, Morgan, Sewell, Sichel (Art History); Costello, Korobkin, Lee, Matthews, Mizruchi, Monk, Patterson, Smith (English); Carney, Grundmann (COM Film and Television); Blower, Capper, Ferleger, Halter, Heywood, McConville, Roberts, Schulman, Silber, Zelizer (History); Kestenbaum, Tauber (Philosophy); Gerring, Mayers (Political Science); Prothero (Religion); Ammerman, Kibria, Monti, Stone (Sociology); Robert (STH)
The concentration in American Studies gives students a broad and critical understanding of the culture and society of the United States through a series of core courses, in-depth training in the scholarly discipline of an associated department, and comparative study of a non-American society. Through its affiliations with Boston-area cultural institutions, the program offers research opportunities in the rich historical, literary, and artistic resources of New England and the nation. The small size of the program encourages close personal and intellectual contact between students and faculty, and permits concentrators to devise an interdisciplinary academic program best suited to their individual needs. The American Studies concentration provides excellent preparation for graduate work in the humanities, the social sciences, or professional training in law, business, medicine, or communications.
Concentration in American Studies
A concentration in American Studies requires the completion of 10 courses, approved by the program, with a grade of C or higher in each course. To complete this concentration, students must fulfill the following requirements:
Core Courses Beginning in their sophomore year, concentrators must take, in sequence, two courses: CAS AM 200 and an AM course at the 200 level or above. These courses acquaint students with the critical problems and methods of American Studies. They stress the analysis of key configurations of ideas, values, and institutions that define specific periods of the American past and present and find expression in folklore, art, material culture, literature, politics, and mass media.
Disciplinary Courses Students concentrating in American Studies (AM) must take a total of seven CAS courses in addition to the core courses. Five of these courses must be taken in AM or within a single affiliated discipline. Affiliated disciplines include African American Studies, anthropology, archaeology, art history, economics, English, geography, history, philosophy, political science, religion, sociology, and women's studies. These courses must deal with aspects of the American experience and must be chosen in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies. Two additional courses must be taken that explore the literature, culture, art, history, or politics of a single non-American society. Students are urged to fulfill this last requirement in conjunction with their work in a foreign language and its literature. For example, a student passing his or her CAS language requirement in French would be encouraged to take additional courses in French literature, art, or history.
Senior Project Concentrators complete their program of study by undertaking a one- or two-semester senior project. The senior project may take the form of a research seminar (CAS AM 501 or AM 502) or an individual directed study leading to a senior thesis based on original research or criticism (CAS AM 491 or AM 492). In lieu of a senior project, seniors may undertake two semesters of distinction work (CAS AM 401 and AM 402), which must be evaluated by a faculty committee.
Recommended Minor Concentrations Students with a concentration in American Studies are encouraged to consider minor concentrations in affiliated departments in CAS or in other Schools and Colleges. Recommended areas of minor concentration include visual arts, theatre arts, business administration, journalism, advertising, communication studies, public relations, and photojournalism.
Minor Concentration in American Studies
The purpose of this program is to offer undergraduates an opportunity to develop their interest in American culture and society through a structured, interdisciplinary approach. The minor concentration consists of six courses, which include CAS AM 200 and a 300-level AM course, and the satisfactory completion of a senior project. Students choose the remaining three courses from American studies or from one or more of the following affiliated departments or programs: African American studies, anthropology, archaeology, art history, economics, English, geography, history, philosophy, political science, religion, sociology, and women's studies. These courses must deal with some aspect of the American society and must be chosen with the advice of an affiliated faculty member in the respective department. Students must earn a minimum grade of C in all courses taken toward the minor concentration.
Courses
CAS AM 200 Introduction to American Studies
An exploration of the multi-faceted themes of American society and culture in selected historical periods using a variety of approaches to interpret such topics as American art, literature, politics, material culture, and the mass media. Required of concentrators. Patterson. 4 cr, 2nd sem.
CAS AM 250 American Arts and Society
Investigates key issues and themes in American arts and letters. Past topics include Realism and "Reality" in American Art and Culture; Censorship, Obscenity Law, and American Culture; and Popular Visual Culture in Postwar America, 1945–1965. Satisfies WR 150 requirement. Staff. 4 cr, 2nd sem.
CAS AM 301 Perspectives on the American Experience
American history and society as viewed by those who made it. Past topics include Greater Boston and Its Neighborhoods, Manhood in America, The Sixties, and The Modern American City. Staff. 4 cr, 1st sem.
CAS AM 367 Material Culture
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. Also offered as CAS AH 367. Sewell. 4 cr, 1st sem.
CAS AM 501 Special Topics in American Studies
Topic for Spring 2008: Henry James on the Screen and the Page. A study of the stories and novels of Henry James, comparing and contrasting the expressive resources of language and film. What can words do that screened drama cannot? What can film do that language cannot? Carney. 4 cr, 2nd sem.
CAS AM 502 Special Topics in American Studies
Topic for Spring 2008: American Consumer Society and Its Discontents. Analysis of critiques of America as a consumer society. Readings in history, literature, economics, and social theory critically investigate political change and cultural values. Reflecting on such investigations, this course assesses the idea of America and the nature of its democracy. Queen. 4 cr, 2nd sem.
CAS AM 546 Historic Preservation
An introduction to the American preservation movement, including current issues and modern practice. Considers key aspects of the history, theory, and philosophy of historic preservation, and introduces students to key figures in preservation agencies and organizations in this region. Dempsey. 4 cr, 1st sem.
CAS AM 553 Documenting Historic Buildings and Landscapes
Prereq: consent of instructor. Seminar in architectural and landscape recording techniques involving readings, fieldwork, and writing; projects include research on individual buildings as well as groups of resources. Emphasis on research design and evaluation of evidence. Dempsey. 4 cr, 2nd sem.
Independent Studies
CAS AM 401, 402 Senior Independent Work
Prereq: approval of College Honors Committee. 4 cr each, 1st & 2nd sem.
CAS AM 491, 492 Directed Study
Prereq: consent of director of undergraduate studies. 4 cr, 1st & 2nd sem.
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