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African American Studies
Minor
American Studies
Minor
Minor, Asian American Studies
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General Anthropology Track
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Minor, Visual Anthropology
Arabic
Certificate
Asian Studies
Minor, Asian Studies
Minor, Asian American Studies
Certificate, Asian Business and Society
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Certificate
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Concentration, Classical Languages & Literature
Concentration, Classical Civilizations
Minor
Minor, Ancient Mediterranean Studies

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Minor
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Minor, Japanese
Certificate, Arabic
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Certificate, Japanese
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Minor, Economics
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Certificate, Political Economy
Certificate, Management Career
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Minor
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Minor
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Minor
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Minor
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Certificate, Travel and Tourism
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Minor
Certificate, Foreign Language
Hebrew
Minor
History
Minor
Italian
Minor
Certificate, Foreign Language
Japanese
Minor
Certificate
Jewish Studies
Concentration, History
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Minor
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Latin American Studies
Minor
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Mathematical Economics
Neuroscience: Systems, Behavior & Plasticity
Minor
Philosophy
Emphasis, Pre-Law
Minor
Political Science
Minor
Psychology
Minor, Psychology
Minor, Cognitive Neuroscience
Religion
Minor
Russian
Minor
Certificate, Foreign Language
Sociology
Concentration, Health Track
Minor, Sociology
Minor, Sociology of Health
Certificate, Health Research
Spanish and Portuguese
Language, Literature, and Linguistics
Language and Professional Studies
Spanish for Education
Minor, Spanish
Minor, Portuguese
Certificate, Multilingual Business and Gov. Studies
Certificate, Spanish
Certificate, Spanish and Latin-Amer. Studies, Business
Certificate, Latin-Amer. Studies, Health & Human Services
Certificate, Latin-Amer. Studies
Women's Studies
Minor
Certificate

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  Academic Programs / Liberal Arts

American Studies

Bryant Simon, Director
836 Anderson Hall
215-204-2429
bryant.simon@temple.edu

832 Anderson Hall
215-204-1644
www.temple.edu/american_studies

American Studies is a broad-based interdisciplinary program that explores the rich complexity of American culture and American Lives.  Courses focus on national myths and everyday realities, race and ethnicity, work, technology, media and popular culture, architecture and city planning, and the production and consumption of art forms like photography, film, dance, and music. In American Studies, though, we do not treat these topics as discrete categories, but instead explore their relationships to each other.  For instance, we look at ideas about race and class embedded in national symbols and ideas.  Through a variety of courses and in a mix of different categories, American Studies provides students with a deep understanding of the many forces and ideas shaping America over a long sweep of time in any number of places, the East, the West, in the heartland and at the borders.  The program also offers student internship opportunities, and other hands-on kinds of learning, 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 a range of professional fields. American Studies majors go on to graduate school in the humanities and social sciences, law school, and medical school. They also may take jobs in schools, non-profit organizations, museums, libraries, business, social services, public relations, and the media.

Requirements for the Major

Department Course # Course Name Hours RCI
         
Introduction 3  
American Studies 2098 Reading Culture   WI
         
All majors must complete five American Studies core courses, one out of each group below:
         
American Biography and Work - Select one: 3  
American Studies 1001/1901 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    
American Studies 2120/2900 Topics in American Culture+    
         
Place in American Life – Select one: 3  
American Studies 2051/2951 American Places: Home, City, Region    
American Studies 2021 Philadelphia Neighborhoods    
American Studies 3022 The City: Urban Design and American Culture    
American Studies 3051/3951 American Frontiers    
American Studies 2001 Tourism in America    
American Studies 2120/2900 Topics in American Culture+    
         
Diversity in America – Select one: 3  
American Studies 3096 American Woman: Visions and Revisions   WI
American Studies 2096 Asian Diaspora   WI
American Studies 2097 Asian Women in Transition   WI
         
Change in America – Select one: 3  
American Studies  3041 Contemporary Trends in the American Workplace     
American Studies  2041 Technology and American Culture    
American Studies  3901 Honors 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  3031/3931 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 the American Past    
American Studies 2065 Global America    
American Studies  2120/2900 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 American Studies core courses as well as choices from all other American Studies courses.
American Studies   Electives (select from 2120-4098) 9  
         
In addition, students must take at least three 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 9  
         
Capstone course Select one**   3  
American Studies

American Studies
4097
  or
4098
Senior Seminar in American Studies

Senior Independent Study
  WI*

WI*
         
Total     39  
         
* Indicates Writing Capstone for the Major
**Students must 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.

All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses. The specific writing-intensive courses required for this major are listed above and are identified by "WI" in the RCI column.


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 American Studies Minor

Department Course # Course Name Hours RCI
American Studies  

Select six American Studies courses, at least three of which
should be taken from American Studies Core Areas as listed
under "Major Requirements."

18  

Asian American Studies Minor

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 1901 Honors American Lives   AC
American Studies 3074 Introduction to Asian American Literature    
American Studies 2096 Asian Diaspora   WI
American Studies 2097 Asian Women in Transition   WI
 
Select one American Studies course on race or ethnicity (or an alternative
approved by an advisor).
3  
American Studies  2071 Immigrant Experiences in America    
American Studies  2072 Puerto Ricans in Philadelphia    
American Studies  3071 African American Experiences   RS
American Studies 3101 Latino Identity in the U.S.    
Italian  4161 Italian-American Literature & Culture    
         
Select one Asian Studies course under an Asian Studies or cross-listed number. 
Advisors can help choose from a list of over 60 courses.
3  
         
Total     18  

 


Suggested Semester-by-Semester Plans

Requirements for New Freshman Students starting in the 2009-2010 Academic Year

Freshman Year – 1st Semester  
Department Course # Course Name Hours RCI
English 0802, 0812 or 0902 Analytical Reading & Writing 4 GW
GenEd 08xx or 09xx Quantitative Literacy 4 GQ
Foreign Language 1001 Foreign Language (first level) 4  
GenEd 08xx or 09xx Human Behavior 3 GB
Subtotal      15  
   
Freshman Year – 2nd Semester  
Department Course # Course Name Hours RCI
IH 0851 or 0951 Mosaic: Humanities Seminar I 3 GY
Foreign Language 1002 Foreign Language (second level) 4  
GenEd 08xx or 09xx Diversity and Race 3 GD
GenEd 08xx or 09xx U.S. Society 3 GU
American Studies 1000+ One American Biography and Work Course From Approved List 3  
Subtotal      16  
 
Sophomore Year – 1st Semester  
Department Course # Course Name Hours RCI
Foreign Language/
GenEd
0800+ Foreign Language (third level) or
a GenEd World Society course or
an Internationally Focused Course From Approved List
3
GG
IH 0852 or 0952 Mosaic: Humanities Seminar II 3 GZ
GenEd 08xx or 09xx Science & Technology I 3 GS
American Studies 2098 Reading Culture 3 WI
American Studies 2000+ One American Culture Course From Approved List 3  
Any 0800-4999 One Elective in Any School or College 2  
Subtotal      17  
 
Sophomore Year – 2nd Semester  
Department Course # Course Name Hours RCI
GenEd 08xx or 09xx Arts 3-4 GA
GenEd 08xx or 09xx Science & Technology II 3 GS
GenEd 08xx or 09xx World Society 3 GG
American Studies 2000+ One Diversity in America Course From Approved List 3 WI
American Studies 2000+ One Place in American Life Course From the Approved List 3  
Subtotal      15-16  
 
Junior Year – 1st Semester  
Department Course # Course Name Hours RCI
CLA/CST 2000+ One 2000+ Humanities/CST Course 3  
American Studies 2000+ One Change in America Course From the Approved List 3  
American Studies 2120-4098 One American Studies Elective 3  
Any 1000+ One Focus Elective (Choose This Course With the American
Studies Director)
3  
CLA/CST 0800-4999 Any CLA/CST Elective 3  
Subtotal     15  
 
Junior Year – 2nd Semester  
Department Course # Course Name Hours RCI
CLA/CST 2000+ One 2000+ Humanities/CST Course 3  
American Studies 2120-4098 One American Studies Elective 3  
American Studies 2120-4098 One American Studies Elective 3  
CLA/CST 2000+ One 2000+ CLA/CST Course 3  
CLA/CST 0800-4999 Any CLA/CST Elective 3  
Subtotal      15  
 
Senior Year – 1st Semester  
Department Course # Course Name Hours RCI
Any 1000+ One Focus Elective (Choose This Course With the American
Studies Director)
3  
American Studies 4097
or
4098
Senior Seminar in American Studies (usually offered fall semester)
   or

Senior Independent Study with Department Permission
3 WI
CLA/CST 2000+ One 2000+ CLA/CST Course 3  
CLA/CST 0800-4999 Any CLA/CST Elective 3  
CLA/CST 0800-4999 Any CLA/CST Elective 3  
Subtotal      15  
 
Senior Year – 2nd Semester  
Department Course # Course Name Hours RCI
Any 1000+ One Focus Elective (Choose This Course With the American
Studies Director)
3  
CLA/CST 2000+ One 2000+ CLA/CST Course 3  
CLA/CST 2000+ One 2000+ CLA/CST Course 3  
CLA/CST 0800-4999 Any CLA/CST Elective 3  
Any 0800-4999 One Elective in Any School or College 3  
Subtotal      15  
         
Degree Total   123  

 

Requirements For New Transfer Students starting in the 2009-2010 Academic Year

Freshman Year – 1st Semester  
Department Course # Course Name Hours RCI
English 0802, 0812 or 0902 Analytical Reading & Writing 4 CO/GW
Foreign Language 1001 Foreign Language (first level) 4  
Core 0800+ One Quantitative Reasoning A Course 3-4 QA/GQ
Core 0800+ One Arts Course 3-4 AR/GA
Subtotal      14-16  
   
Freshman Year – 2nd Semester  
Department Course # Course Name Hours RCI
IH 0851 or 0951 Mosaic: Humanities Seminar I 3 IA/GY
Foreign Language 1002 Foreign Language (second level) 4  
Core 1000+ One Science & Technology A Course 3-4 SA
Core 0800+ One Quantitative Reasoning B Course 3-4 QB/GQ
American Studies 1000+ One American Biography and Work Course from the Approved List 3  
Subtotal      16-18  
 
Sophomore Year – 1st Semester  
Department Course # Course Name Hours RCI
Foreign Language/
Core
0800+ Foreign Language (third level) or
Core International Studies course
3
IS/GG
IH 0852 or 0952 Mosaic: Humanities Seminar II 3 IB/GZ
Core 0800+ One Science & Technology B Course 3-4 SB/GS
Core 0800+ One Individual and Society Course 3 IN/GB
American Studies 2000+ One American Culture Course from the Approved List 3  
Subtotal      15-16  
 
Sophomore Year – 2nd Semester  
Department Course # Course Name Hours RCI
Core 0800+ One American Culture Course 3 AC/GU
Core 0800+ One Studies in Race Course 3 RS/GD
Core 0800+ One International Studies Course 3 IS/GG
American Studies 2000+ One Diversity in America Course From the Approved List 3 WI
American Studies 2098 Reading Culture 3 WI
Any 0800-4999 One Elective in Any School or College 2-3  
Subtotal      17-18  
 
Junior Year – 1st Semester  
Department Course # Course Name Hours RCI
CLA/CST 2000+ One 2000+ Humanities/CST Course 3  
American Studies 2000+ One Change in America Course from the Approved List 3  
American Studies 2000+ One Place in American Life Course From the Approved List 3  
Any 1000+ One Focus Elective (Choose This Course With the American
Studies Director)
3  
CLA/CST 1000+ One CLA/CST Writing Intensive Course 3 WI
Subtotal     15  
 
Junior Year – 2nd Semester  
Department Course # Course Name Hours RCI
CLA/CST 2000+ One 2000+ Humanities/CST Course 3  
American Studies 2120-4098 One American Studies Elective 3  
American Studies 2120-4098 One American Studies Elective 3  
Any 1000+ One Focus Elective (Choose This Course With the American
Studies Director)
3  
CLA/CST 2000+ One 2000+ CLA/CST Course 3  
Any 0800-4999 One Elective in Any School or College 2  
Subtotal      17  
 
Senior Year – 1st Semester  
Department Course # Course Name Hours RCI
American Studies 4097
  or
4098
Senior Seminar in American Studies (usually offered fall semester)
  or
Senior Independent Study with Department Permission
3 WI
American Studies 2120-4098 One American Studies Elective 3  
CLA/CST 2000+ One 2000+ CLA/CST Course 3  
CLA/CST 0800+ Any CLA/CST Elective 3  
CLA/CST 0800+ Any CLA/CST Elective 3  
Subtotal      15  
 
Senior Year – 2nd Semester  
Department Course # Course Name Hours RCI
Any 1000+ One Focus Elective (Choose This Course With the American
Studies Director)
3  
CLA/CST 2000+ One 2000+ CLA/CST Course 3  
CLA/CST 2000+ One 2000+ CLA/CST Course 3  
CLA/CST 0800+ Any CLA/CST Elective 3  
CLA/CST 0800+ Any CLA/CST Elective 3  
Subtotal      15  
         
Degree Total   123  
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