Department Website: http://www.sewanee.edu/amstudies/amst1.html
Professor Register, Chair
Program Committee:
Professor J. Grammer, English
Associate Professor McKeen, Political Science
Associate Professor Brennecke, Art History
Associate Professor Roberson, History
Contributing Faculty:
Professor O'Connor, Anthropology
Professor Willis, History
Professor Ray, Anthropology
Associate Professor Berebitsky, History & Women's Studies
Visiting Assistant Professor E. Grammer, English
Major in American studies: American studies is an interdisciplinary major that fosters an understanding of past and contemporary American culture. Students select from pertinent courses in the humanities and social sciences and combine them into an integrated course of study that reflects their intellectual and scholarly interests. While requiring a substantial foundation in American literature and history, the program also encourages students to explore nontraditional methods and subjects. The major is usually assembled from the fields of history, literature, anthropology, political science, religion, and art. The junior seminar for majors, jointly taught by two instructors in relevant disciplines, introduces students to important methodological and theoretical problems in the study of American culture. During the first semester of the senior year, students undertake an independent research project that combines at least two disciplines as approved by the program director. The comprehensive examination in the second semester of the senior year covers the particular program of electives the student has chosen.
To be admitted to the major, the student must have a GPA of at least 2.00 in courses that qualify for the American studies major.
The requirements of the program are as follows:
1. Majors must take a minimum of eleven courses in at least four different disciplines.
2. The following courses are required of all majors:
a. History 201, 202: History of the U.S. I and II
b. English 377, 378: American Literature I and II
c. American Studies 333: Junior Seminar
d. American Studies 420: Senior Research Seminar
3. Students must take five additional courses approved for the major.
4. All majors must take a written comprehensive examination.
It is recommended, although not required, that students take History 201 and 202 and English 377 and 378 in the sophomore year.
Students with an average of B or above in courses that qualify for the major may be considered for honors; departmental honors are granted to those who achieve a B+ or better on the senior research project and on the comprehensive examination.
