American Studies Courses

CASAM 220 Native American and Indigenous Studies
Thur 12:30pm – 3:15pm
Prof. Battenfeld

Examines diverse cultural expressions of Native peoples, from oral traditions to modern fiction, and their historic and political contexts. Employs interdisciplinary perspectives from Native American and Indigenous Studies to ask critical questions about the arts, identity, community, and creativity. Effective Spring 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Aesthetic Exploration, The Individual in Community, Creativity/Innovation.

CASAM 301 Perspectives on the American Experience
Topic for Fall 2026: The Memory of the American Revolution through Film and TV
Tues/Thur 11:00am – 12:15pm
MaryKate Smolenski

American history and culture as viewed by those who made it. Topics vary from semester to semester. Effective Summer I, 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Historical Consciousness, Research and Information Literacy.

Topic for Fall 2026: The Memory of the American Revolution through Film and TV. This course examines the American Revolution’s portrayal in film and television from 1910 to today. Comparing fictional depictions and eighteenth-century primary sources, students will analyze film/TV as both historical narrative and a reflection of contemporary society. Students will gain knowledge of the American Revolution but also be able to articulate how Hollywood influences our understanding of historical events. Films and TV shows studied will include Hamilton, 1776, The Patriot, Turn, Liberty’s Kids, Johnny Tremain, and more. 

CASAM 367 Material Culture
Topic for Fall 2026: Materializing Indigenous History 
Tues/Thur 2:00pm – 3:15 pm
Allyson LaForge

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. Beginning in Fall 2026, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Historical Consciousness and Critical Thinking.

Topic for Fall 2026: Materializing Indigenous History  From wikhikon (birchbark maps) and petroglyphs to contemporary beadwork, studying Native American material culture provides a critical lens into histories of settler colonialism and Indigenous activism. This course traces histories of Native American material culture as tools of communication, expressive culture, and resistance, interrogating the creation, collection, and preservation of objects across Turtle Island. Students will also develop critical understandings of museums, archives, and other institutional repositories as sites of meaning-making and contestation, with a particular focus on Indigenous stewardship at tribal archives and museums. Also offered as CASAH 367

CASAM 385 American Buildings and Landscapes
Tues/Thurs 3:30pm – 4:45pm
Prof. Moore

An introductory analytic survey of American buildings and landscapes within their historical and cultural contexts. Students examine forces that have shaped the American built environment. Topics range from Indian mounds to commercial strips, Spanish missions to skyscrapers. Also offered as CASAH 385.

CASAM 501 A1 Research Seminar in American Studies
Topic for Fall 2026: Food, Gender & Sexuality
Thurs 6:00pm – 8:45pm
Prof. Elias

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 Fall 2023, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing-Intensive Course, Research and Information Literacy.

Topic for Fall 2026: Food, Gender & Sexuality In Food, Gender and Sexuality, we will explore ways in which language and behaviors around food both reinforce and challenge gender hierarchies and restrictive norms. Using frameworks developed in gender and sexuality studies we will interrogate our contemporary foodscape through close readings of many media, including food blogs, magazines, TV shows and advertisements. The course will include reading, research, field work, discussion, and cooking to help us understand why and how food has been gendered and how the process differs across place, time, and culture.

Also offered as CASWS 526/METML 706. Undergrads MUST register for CASAM or CASWS section, not METML section.

Preservation Studies Courses

CASAM 501 B1 Research Seminar in American Studies
Topic for Fall 2026: Adaptive Reuse
Tues 12:30pm – 3:15pm
Prof. Haenraets

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 Fall 2023, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing-Intensive Course, Research and Information Literacy.

Topic for Fall 2026: Adaptive Reuse Adaptive reuse and revitalization of historical places has become indispensable towards achieving healthy, sustainable and vibrant built environments. Repurposing sites and integrating new design in buildings, landscapes and urban districts demands considered approaches, an understanding of concepts of significance and value, and insights into principles of historical preservation and sustainable development. Managing change through adaptive reuse can be a framework for some of the most creative and innovative thinking, and assist in addressing climate change challenges.

CASAM 546 Places of Memory: Historic Preservation Theory and Practice
Tues 3:30pm-6:15 pm
Prof. White

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 CASAH 546 and CASHI 546

CASAN 548 Global Heritage Conservation
Thur 3:30pm-6:15 pm
Prof. Haenraets

Examining global approaches towards heritage conservation through a study of concepts, charters and case studies, using themes such as world heritage, cultural tourism, historic towns, new design, intangible heritage, authenticity, integrity, recent past, historic landscapes, conflict, disasters, revitalization and reconstruction. Also offered as CASAH 548

CASAM 555 Boston Architectural and Community History Workshop
Fri 11:15am – 2:00pm
Prof. Stevenson

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. Also offered as CASAH 554 and CASHI 569.

Affiliated Programs

Students in the American Studies Program also take courses in other departments with affiliated faculty. Some of the courses commonly taken by students are listed below. For a detailed course list for each department, please consult the Undergraduate Bulletin.

African American & Black Diaspora Studies
English
Film and Television
History
History of Art & Architecture
Religion
Sociology