American Studies Courses
CASAM 200 A1 | Introduction to American Studies
Tu/Th 9:30am – 10:45am
Prof. Battenfeld
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 majors and minors. This course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub areas: Critical Thinking, Research and Information Literacy.
CASAM 220 A1 | Native American and Indigenous Studies
Mo/We/Fr 11:15 – 12:05
Prof. Hunziker
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. 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 Spring 2027: America in Music
Mo/We/Fr 1:25 – 2:15pm
Olivia Jacobs
American history and culture as viewed by those who made it. Topics vary from semester to semester.
Topic for Spring 2027: America in Music. What makes blues music feel like blues music? Why do people always seem to sing songs at protests? What does “folk music” mean? We will explore these questions and others like them in America in Music. The unique cultural blend of the United States in a global context has given rise to several genres of American music. By analyzing these genres, students will develop an understanding of their social, political, and cultural contexts, as well as the individuals and communities who produced them. Together, we will engage in deep reading and critical listening to explore the sonic past.
Effective Summer I, 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Historical Consciousness, Research and Information Literacy.
CASAM 502 B1 | Research Seminar in American Studies
Topic for Spring 2027: Cinema & Media Studies: Theories and Methods
Wed 2:30 pm – 5:15 pm
Prof. Foltz
Writing-Intensive, Research and Information Literacy. It can also serve as a capstone course for American Studies Majors and Minors.
CASAM 525 A1 | American Cultural Landscape Studies
Tue/Thu 12:30 – 1:45pm
Prof. Moore
This seminar provides an introduction to analyzing and interpreting American cultural landscapes and acquaints students with the historiography of interdisciplinary study of the built environment. Also offered as CAS AH 525.
CASAM 538 A1 | Arctic Studies Studies
Tue/Thu 11:00 – 12:15pm
Prof. Craciun
The Arctic is home to 4 million people and has played important roles in global exchanges for millennia. This class explores the Arctic as a source of resource extraction booms, aesthetic currents, scientific advances, Indigenous knowledge, and unique governance systems. Effective Spring 2027, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU HUB areas: Aesthetic Exploration, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Writing-Intensive Course. Also offered as CAS IR 538.
CASAM 567 A1 | Topics in American Material Culture
Topic for Spring 2027: Beyond Print Culture: Indigeneity, Materiality, and the History of the Book.
Tue 12:30 – 3:15pm
Prof. LaForge
Preservation Studies Courses
CAS AM 502 A1 | Research Seminar in American Studies
Topic for Spring 2027: Preservation and the Vernacular Environment
Fri 11:15am-2:00pm
Prof. Stevenson
This seminar explores the unique challenges and solutions for preserving the vernacular environment—broadly construed as “everyday” buildings and landscapes—that many established preservation tools are ill-equipped to serve. From triple-deckers to rural farmsteads to postwar suburbs to fieldstone dams, this course demonstrates the importance of the mundane in the built environment and how to save ensure its survival.
This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU HUB areas: Writing-Intensive, Research and Information Literacy. It can also serve as a capstone course for American Studies Majors and Minors.
CASAM 554 A1 | Preservation Planning
Mon 2:30 – 5:15pm
Prof. White
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.
Affiliated Departments
This is only a sampling of courses. Please refer to individual department websites and the University Class Schedule for complete course offerings.