Spring 2023 Undergraduate Courses

Intro to American Studies: CAS AM 200 
Tues/Thur 9:30-10:45am
Prof. Mary 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. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub areas: Critical Thinking, Research and Information Literacy.

Native American Studies: CAS AM 220
Tues/Thur 11:00am-12:15pm
Prof. Mary 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.

American Arts & Society: CAS AM 301
Mon/Wed/Fri 10:10-11:05am
Grace McGowan

American history and culture as viewed by those who made it. Topics vary from semester to semester. Topic for Topic for Spring 2023: Black Venus: African- American Artists and American Beauty. What would it mean to center Black women in discussions around American concepts of beauty? This course explores how the figure of the Black Venus can be used to explore American cultural ideas of beauty throughout history. We look at photographs, statues, combs, skin-care, cosmetics, novels, and poetry. Effective Summer I, 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Historical Consciousness, Research and Information Literacy.

American Folk Art: CAS AM 369
Mon/Wed/Fri 11:15am-12:05pm
Prof Will Moore

Explores the objects that collectors and museums identify as “American Folk Art.” Examines how this label developed throughout the twentieth century; familiarizes students with major collections and genres including painting, sculpture, textiles, and other media. Also offered as CAS AH 369.

Special Topics in American Studies: CAS AM 502
Fri 11:15am-2:00pm
Prof. Joseph Rezek

May be repeated for credit as topic changes. Topic for Spring 2023: The History of Print in Early America. Considers the history of print in North America before 1900. Topics include the literature of colonization, the American Revolution, early Black and Native American writing, transatlantic literary culture, Reconstruction, and Victorian readers. Authors include John Smith, Benjamin Franklin, Phillis Wheatley, and Harriet Beecher Stowe. Capstone course for American & New England Studies majors.