AMERICAN STUDIES
IN THIS PAGE:
Sponsored by the five undergraduate Claremont Colleges, American Studies
is a multidisciplinary major that encourages students to think critically and
creatively about American culture. The American Studies Program is coordinated
by an intercollegiate faculty whose aim is to introduce students to the complexity
of the American experience.
Majors take courses in a variety of disciplines such as literature, history,
sociology, anthropology, government, music, and the visual arts. In addition,
majors take multidisciplinary courses that use materials from different disciplines
to explore a particular issue in American life. The interdisciplinary approach
to this major affords the student many career choices, some following graduate
study, including professions of law, library science, journalism, business,
and museum curatorship.
An essential component of the American Studies curriculum is American Studies
103. Introduction to American Culture, a prerequisite course that is team-taught
by members of the intercollegiate faculty in the Spring semester. This course
is an excellent introduction to the themes, concerns, and methodologies of
American studies. Before their junior year, majors must consult with a member
of the intercollegiate faculty to plan a program of courses. CMC students should
discuss their program with the CMC member of the intercollegiate committee,
Professor Selig.
Major Requirements
The major in American Studies requires nine courses, distributed as follows:
- American Studies 103. Introduction to American Culture
- A two-semester survey of U.S. History (for example History 80. Forging
a New Nation, America to 1865, and 81. Modern America, 1865 to Present)
- One other survey-level course focusing on the United States in another
discipline, such as art history, literature, government, music, or sociology
(for example Literature 60. American Writers to 1900, or 85. Contemporary
American Fiction, or Government 20. Introduction to American Politics)
- One course in Asian American Studies, Black Studies, or Chicano Studies
- American Studies 180. American Studies Seminar; this seminar course
is normally taken in the fall of the junior year
- Three upper-division or seminar courses in a single discipline, for
example literature, history, or government. This requirement gives the
program depth as well as breadth.
Notes:
- Majors are required to write a senior thesis in American Studies
- American studies majors must complete all four general education requirements
in the social sciences.
Special Options for Majors
Dual Majors
Students interested in a number of disciplines are encouraged to complete
a dual or double major which combines American studies with disciplines such
as history, literature, religion, philosophy, government, and international
relations.
A dual major in American Studies requires a minimum of seven courses, distributed
as follows:
- American Studies 103. Introduction to American Culture
- A one-semester survey of U.S. History (for example, History 80. Forging
a New Nation, America to 1865, or History 81. Modern America, 1865 to Present)
- One other survey-level course focusing on the United States in another
discipline, such as art history, literature, government, music, or sociology
(for example Literature 60. American Writers to 1900, or 85. Contemporary
American Fiction, or Government 20. Introduction to American Politics)
- One course in Asian American Studies, Black Studies, or Chicano Studies
- American Studies 180. American Studies Seminar; this seminar course
is normally taken in the fall of the junior year
- Two upper-division or seminar courses in a single discipline, for
example literature, history, or government. This requirement gives the
program depth as well as breadth.
Please note the restrictions on honors in the major for students with a dual
major under "Honors in American Studies" below. For further information
on dual majors and the requirements for the other field of study of the dual
major, please check the appropriate sections of this catalog.
Honors in American Studies
To be eligible for honors in American studies, students must achieve a 10.50
or better grade point average in all American studies courses at the time of
graduation. Student must also complete a two-semester thesis in American studies
and receive a grade of "B+" (10.00) or better. Participants in the
honors program must register with the CMC American studies advisor at the beginning
of their senior year.
Students with a dual major in American studies who wish to be considered
for honors in American studies will only receive honors if they: have completed
all requirements for a full major in American studies and are granted honors,
or qualify and receive honors in both fields of their dual major. See "Honors
in the Major" for details.
Courses
Core Courses
103jt. Introduction to American Culture.
This course, taught by an intercollegiate faculty team, introduces
principal themes in American culture. Its interdisciplinary approach brings
together such areas as art, music, politics, social history, literature and
anthropology. Topics frequently covered include the origins of the American
self, ethnic diversity, immigration, women, the West, modernism, consensus
and dissent. Second semester. McConnell, and Thomas
180. American Studies Seminar.
Interdisciplinary examination of a problem in the history, politics and culture
of the United States. First semester. Walker
Elective Courses at Claremont McKenna College
- Economics
109. Ethics, Economics, and Public Policy
114. Development of the American Economy
- Government
20. Introduction to American Politics
101. The United States Congress
102. The American Presidency
103e. Crises in Presidential Leadership
104. The Electoral Process
105. Organization of Health Care and Public Policy
106. Politics of Interest Groups
107. Local Government in America, with Practicum
108. The Politics of Recent America, 1945 to the Present
109. Juvenile Delinquency and Public Policy
125. Readings in American National Politics
128. Ethics and American Democracy
149. Foreign Relations of the United States
151. The United States, Israel, and the Arabs
152. The Pacific Rim and the United States
159. Topics in United States Relations with Asia
167. The American Founding
176. American Constitutional History
180e. Law and Literature
182. Murder in the United States
183e. Freedom, Democracy, and Public Policy
186. Conflict and Violence in American Society: Forms, Dynamics, Control
- History
80. Forging a New Nation, America to 1865
81. Modern America, 1865 to Present
121. The Politics of Recent America, 1945 to the Present
125. Asian American History, 1850 to the Present
126. American Constitutional History
149. America in Depression and War
153. American Religious History
154. Politics and Society in 20th-Century United States
175. Women and Politics in America
176. American Families
- Interdisciplinary Courses
196. Gould Center Seminar: Gay and Lesbian Writers in 20th-Century
Anglo-American Culture
- Literature
60. American Writers to 1900
83. 20th-Century American Short Story
85. Contemporary American Fiction
91. American Poetry: Tradition and Experiment
97. The Jazz Age
- Philosophy
122. Perspectives on the American Dream: Philosophical, Literary, Religious,
Historical
- Psychology
118. Seminar on Prejudice and Intergroup Relations
188. Psychology and Law
- Religious Studies
136. Religion in Contemporary America
138. American Religious History
147. Perspectives on the American Dream: Philosophical, Literary, Religious,
Historical
153. God and Money
Elective Courses at the Other Claremont Colleges
For a full list, see www.scrippscol.edu/~dept/AmStudies/amst.html.
Course information and descriptions may be found in the appropriate College
catalogs. American studies courses are also listed in the Fall 2003 and Spring
2004 Undergraduate Schedule of Courses.
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