Liberal Arts
introduction |
|
Academic Programs / Liberal Arts
American Studies
Bryant Simon, Director
946 Anderson Hall
215-204-1491
bryant.simon@temple.edu
941 Anderson Hall
215-204-1644
www.temple.edu/american_studies
American Studies is an interdisciplinary program that explores the rich complexity of American culture. Courses focus on such major issues as work, technology, and the role of the media and popular culture in American life; the culture of cities and suburbs; the role of law; the radical tradition; photography; film; and music. American Studies provides students with a solid understanding of the culture of the United States through interdisciplinary courses originating in the program as well as through recommended courses in other departments and disciplines. The program also offers student internships at a variety of cultural institutions in Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley. American Studies courses are known as challenging and thought-provoking, and many of them are cross-listed with the Temple University Honors Program. The major program stresses development of reading, writing, and analytical skills that are necessary for successful careers in various professional fields. American Studies majors go on to graduate school, law school, or medical school. They also may take jobs in museums, libraries, business, social services, public relations, and the media.
Requirements for the Major
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
All majors must complete five American Studies core courses, one out of each group below. |
|
|
|
|
|
American Biography and Work – Select one |
3 |
|
American Studies |
1701 |
American Lives |
|
AC |
American Studies |
1042 |
Work in America |
|
AC |
American Studies |
1002 |
Key Documents in American Civilization |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
American Culture – Select one |
|
3 |
|
American Studies |
2011 |
The Arts in America |
|
|
American Studies |
2022 |
Museums and American Culture |
|
|
American Studies |
2012 |
Introduction to Material Culture |
|
|
American Studies |
3011 |
Photography in America |
|
|
American Studies |
3012 |
Film and American Society |
|
|
American Studies |
3061 |
Mass Media and American Popular Culture |
|
|
American Studies |
3013 |
The Documentary Mode |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Place in American Life – Select one |
|
3 |
|
American Studies |
2051 |
American Places: Home, City, Region |
|
|
American Studies |
2021 |
Philadelphia Neighborhoods |
|
|
American Studies |
3022 |
The City: Urban Design, and American Culture |
|
|
American Studies |
3051 |
American Frontiers |
|
|
American Studies |
2001 |
Tourism in America |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diversity in America – Select one |
|
3 |
|
American Studies |
2071 |
Immigrant Experiences in America |
|
|
American Studies |
3071 |
African-American Experiences |
|
RS |
American Studies |
3096 |
American Woman: Visions and Revisions |
|
WI |
American Studies |
2107 |
Asian-American Experiences |
|
RS |
American Studies |
2003 |
The American Sexual Past |
|
|
American Studies |
2072 |
Puerto Ricans in Philadelphia |
|
|
American Studies |
2096 |
Asian Diaspora |
|
WI |
American Studies |
2097 |
Asian Women in Transition |
|
WI |
American Studies |
3074 |
Introduction to Asian American Literature |
|
|
American Studies |
3901 |
Quest for the American Dream |
|
AC |
|
|
|
|
|
Change in America – Select one |
|
3 |
|
American Studies |
3041 |
Contemporary Trends in American Workplace |
|
|
American Studies |
2041 |
Technology and American Culture |
|
|
American Studies |
3901 |
Ideal America: Reform, Revolution, and Utopia |
|
|
American Studies |
3032 |
Literature and Political Change |
|
|
American Studies |
3033 |
Courtroom in American Society |
|
|
American Studies |
2064 |
America in the 1950s |
|
|
American Studies |
3031 |
Political Protest and Culture in the 60’s |
|
|
American Studies |
3075 |
Literature of American Slavery |
|
RS |
American Studies |
2031 |
Radicalism in the United States |
|
|
American Studies |
2032 |
Critical Moments in American Past |
|
|
American Studies |
2065 |
Global America |
|
|
American Studies |
2120 |
Topics in American Culture+ |
|
|
+Specific subjects change each semester. See course descriptions for information on a particular offering.
American Studies 2120 may meet one or more of the above requirements with permission of director. |
|
|
|
|
|
Students must also complete three additional courses in American Studies.
These can
include choices from
the AS core courses as well as choices from all other American
Studies courses. |
American Studies |
|
Electives (select from 2120-4098) |
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
In addition, students take at least four courses outside of the major selected in consultation with the American Studies Director and Congruent with an American Studies focus. We recommend that at least 6 of these credits be in American history and literature. |
Open |
|
Electives - American Studies Focus |
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capstone course – Select one** |
|
3 |
|
American Studies
American Studies |
4097
4098 |
Senior Seminar in American Studies and
Senior Independent Study |
|
WI*
WI* |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Indicates Writing Capstone for the Major |
**We urge students to take the Senior Seminar in their final year of study (usually offered in Fall semester). Only in rare circumstances and with special permission can students satisfy the capstone by taking 4098. |
Distinction in Major
American Studies majors may graduate with distinction in the major if they have a GPA of at least 3.5 in the major and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
Requirements for the Minor
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
American Studies |
Electives |
Select six American Studies courses, at least three of which should be taken from different American Studies Core Areas as listed under "Major Requirements." |
18 |
|
Asian American Studies Minor
Dr. Kathleen Uno, Coordinator
215-204-7468
aaminor@temple.edu
This interdisciplinary minor focuses on Asian American history, culture, and contemporary issues as well as their Asian roots and American context. The Asian American Minor is six courses (18 s.h.), four in Asian American Studies, one in American Studies, and one Asian Studies course under an Asian Studies or cross listed number, as distributed below. In lieu of taking regular academic courses, students can earn credits through fieldwork and independent study under a professor's guidance. This minor is a useful credential for majors in education, journalism and communication, social administration, health science, social science, humanities, history, pre-law studies, and business fields such as personnel and marketing.
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Select four Asian American courses listed or cross listed in American Studies. |
12 |
|
American Studies |
2107 |
Asian American Experiences |
|
RS |
American Studies |
1701 |
American Lives: Asian American Lives |
|
AC |
American Studies |
3074 |
Introduction to Asian American Literature |
|
|
American Studies |
2096 |
Asian Women in Transition |
|
WI |
American Studies |
2097 |
Asian American History |
|
WI |
American Studies |
3070 |
Asian American Topics * |
|
WI |
*Courses may focus on specific issues like Filipinos in America, Vietnamese and
Filipinos in Diaspora, Chinatowns, Law and Public Policy. |
|
|
Select one American Studies course on race or ethnicity (or an alternative
approved by an advisor). |
3 |
|
American Studies |
2071 |
Immigrant Experiences |
|
|
American Studies |
2072 |
Puerto Ricans in Philadelphia |
|
|
American Studies |
3071 |
African American Experiences |
|
RS |
Italian |
4161 |
Italian/American Literature and Culture |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Select one Asian Studies course under an Asian Studies or cross-listed number.
Advisors can help choose from a list of over sixty courses. |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
18 |
|
|