American Studies

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The College of Saint Rose major in American studies is a unique program designed for serious students with a broad range of interests. Rooted in the fields of literary study and history, the program’s flexibility allows students to focus within an area of concentration and take classes in several academic disciplines, while gaining a broad knowledge of American cultures and intellectual traditions in all of their diversity.

The American studies major is an exciting course of study for students from a variety of backgrounds who share an interest in American societal issues. With an emphasis on understanding the United States from many perspectives, the program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to work with the issues facing American society and its communities of the future.

The Saint Rose program in American studies is ideal for students who:

• want to learn more about American cultures and aesthetics;
• wish to explore questions of democratic aspiration and structural justice;
• desire intercultural and interdisciplinary competency;
• plan to pursue one of the many careers in which in-depth knowledge of American diversity is critical.
  

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (42 credits)

• Amercian Studies Requires two semesters of the same foreign language, or demonstrated native competency.
• American Studies reccomends that students take SOC 112 and POS 111 as part of their Liberal Education requirements and highly recommends that students choose a minor. 
• Students must earn a minimum grade of C in every core and concentration required in the major

Core Courses                                                                 16 credits

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An area of concentration selected form the following:

A minimum of 18 credits in one of the following concentrations and a minimum of three credits in each of the other two concentrations, for a total of 26 credits. A minimum of three concentration courses must be interdisciplinary AMS courses. A minimum of three concentration courses must be at the 300-level or above.

1. American Aesthetics and Cultural Practices

Additional elective courses in art, communications, drama, literature, music, philosophy, religious studies, sociology, or women's studies chosen in consultation with advisor.

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2. Diversity and Social Justice

(may be repeated with different topics)

Additional elective courses in biology, business, communications, criminal justice, environmental affairs, history, literature, philosophy, political science, religious studies, sociology, or women's studies chosen in consultation with advisor.

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3. Critical Race Studies

(may  be repeated with different topics)

Additional electives in communications, history, literature, political science, sociology, or women's studies chosen in consultation with advisor.

FIELD EXPERIENCE
Each American studies student completes the program by enrolling in the Field Experience Seminar, designed to enable the student to explore his or her interests in post-college career paths by offering a guided internship experience.

FACILITIES
American Studies classes are often conducted in seminar-style classrooms. Frequently these rooms are “smart” classrooms, which include a teacher workstation that has projection capabilities and Internet access, allowing professors and students to give multimedia presentations. Students also have access to 19 computer labs, including the 24-hour-access computer lab in Lima Hall. In addition, the College’s Neil Hellman Library is an excellent resource for student research. Staffed by expert and helpful reference librarians, the Library offers excellent electronic resources, efficient and accessible inter-library loan services, and a solid collection of materials for study.

CAREERS
Graduates will be prepared for careers in not-for-profit social and cultural agencies, as well as in journalism; government; and museum, library, and archives administration.

GRADUATE STUDY
Any of the American studies concentrations will provide ideal preparation for graduate study in many fields, including law, arts administration, public policy, and journalism. American studies majors who are exceptional students may also participate in the 3+3 Dual Degree Program in Law, in conjunction with Albany Law School, which facilitates the completion of both a bachelor’s degree and a juris doctor (J.D.) degree in six years.

MODERATE PRICE AND
AGGRESSIVE FINANCIAL AID
The College of Saint Rose has one of the lowest tuitions of all New York state private colleges, and we offer a variety of scholarships, including multicultural and academic talent. More than 90 percent of our students receive several forms of financial aid.

FACULTY
The American Studies steering committee is comprised of the following faculty members:

Kim Middleton,
assistant professor of english
american studies program director

Brian H. Hensen

assistant professor of biology

Jeff Marlett,
assistant professor of religious studies

Travis S. Plowman

assistant professor of educational technology

David Rice
assistant professor of english

Bridgett Williams-Searle,
assistant professor of history