DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Jesse Battan
DEPARTMENT OFFICE
University Hall 313
DEPARTMENT WEBSITE
http://hss.fullerton.edu/amst
PROGRAMS OFFERED
Bachelor of Arts in American Studies
Minor in American Studies
Master of Arts in American Studies
FACULTY
Erica Ball, Jesse Battan, Adam Golub, Wayne Hobson, John Ibson, Carrie Lane, Elaine Lewinnek, Karen Lystra, Terri Snyder, Michael Steiner, Pamela Steinle, Leila Zenderland
ADVISERS
Undergraduate: All full-time faculty within the department
Graduate: Michael Steiner
INTRODUCTION
American Studies gives students a thorough understanding of the past and present nature of American civilization. Three central features of our approach are: (1) an emphasis on the analysis of culture – that shared system of beliefs, behaviors, symbols and material objects through which Americans give meaning to their lives; (2) examination of dominant culture patterns as well as the diversity of cultures in America; and (3) an interdisciplinary perspective that uses both the social sciences and humanities.
Besides providing a rich liberal arts education, training in the major develops skills in writing and analysis and strengthens the ability to recognize connections among complex materials and diverse phenomena. American studies graduates enter careers in business, communications, government service, law, social services and teaching. The major is also a fine background for graduate work in the field or in related fields.
Teaching Credential
Because American Studies is interdisciplinary, the major may be effectively combined with subject matter studies necessary for either the multiple subject teaching credential (K-8) or single subject credential (7-12) in History/Social Science. Undergraduates are encouraged to work with the Center for Careers in Teaching (657-278-7130) as early as possible in their academic careers to plan efficient course selections for general education, the major and electives. With careful planning, it may be possible to enter the credential program in the senior year of the bachelor’s degree. Postgraduate students should contact the Admission to Teacher Education office in the College of Education (657-278-3352) to obtain information on attending an overview presentation.
Awards in American Studies
The David Jon Vaca Memorial Scholarship of $500 is awarded every semester to an undergraduate major in American studies based on need and academic achievement. The Susan Flinkingshelt Memorial Award is given annually in recognition of outstanding services to the American Studies Department and student association. The Earl James Weaver Graduate Student Essay Prize of $250 is awarded annually for the best graduate paper in American Studies. The Margarete Liebe Sekhon Graduate Scholarship in American Studies annually provides an award in the fall semester to a new student enrolled in the graduate program at CSUF. The Outstanding Reentry Student Award is given every year to a graduating senior who either began or returned to college at least a decade after high school graduation.
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN AMERICAN STUDIES
The American Studies degree requires a minimum of 120 units that includes courses for the major, General Education, all University requirements and free electives. The major consists of 36 units: 12 units in the core program and 24 units of electives following either Plan A or B.
Core Program (12 units required of all majors)
201 Introduction to American Studies (3)
301 American Character (3)
350 Seminar in Theory and Method of American Studies (3)
401T Proseminar in American Studies (3)
Electives (24 upper-division units)
Elective coursework must be approved by the major adviser following either Plan A or B:
Plan A
Students may take all eight electives in American Studies courses or they may include up to four courses from other departments such as Afro-ethnic studies, anthropology, Chicano studies, communications, criminal justice, English, history, geography, political science, psychology or sociology.
Plan B
Coursework pursuing a particular theme or subject, such as: law and society, sex roles, the visual arts, ethnicity, urbanization, regionalism, the child and the family, or popular culture.
DOUBLE MAJOR IN AMERICAN STUDIES
The American Studies major serves as a rewarding complement to many other majors, often providing a broad and useful perspective on work done in other fields. Having two majors is not only intellectually stimulating, but can be a distinct advantage in seeking employment after graduation.
A double major is often simple to arrange, since the American Studies major allows for up to 12 units of coursework in the department of the other major to be used to complete the requirements of our major.
MINOR IN AMERICAN STUDIES
The minor in American Studies requires 21 units: American Studies 201, 301 or 345, and 401T, plus 12 units of electives. Six units may be lower-division and three units may be taken in a related department upon approval of an American Studies Department adviser.
MASTER OF ARTS IN AMERICAN STUDIES
The graduate program is grounded in a thorough understanding of the concept of culture. It examines the creative tension between unity and diversity in the American experience, seeking ultimately to provide a full vision of our complex pluralistic culture. The program is interdisciplinary, requiring graduate students to integrate knowledge from the humanities and social sciences. It stresses the process of cultural change, requiring students to trace the past sources of contemporary issues. It develops advanced research, writing and analytical skills. Particular areas of faculty specialization within the department include: gender and sexuality; ethnicity; literature, film, art and architecture as cultural expression; American regions; popular culture; and cultural radicalism.
Application Deadlines
Applications are accepted only for the fall semester. Online applications must be completed by March 1 for the following fall semester (see http://www.csumentor.edu); mailed applications must be postmarked by the same date. However, deadlines may be changed based upon enrollment projections.
Admission to Graduate Standing: Conditionally Classified
A student must meet the all university requirements for admission. (Please consult the appropriate section of this catalog for complete information.) In addition, a student must: (1) hold a bachelor’s degree with a major, or its equivalent, in American studies or in an appropriate discipline of the humanities or social sciences; (2) have a grade-point average of at least 3.0 in upper-division major courses; and (3) submit two satisfactory letters of recommendation from instructors in upper-division major courses.
Students whose undergraduate program indicates certain limited subject, grade or breadth deficiencies may be considered for admission, at the discretion of the graduate adviser, with approval of the department’s graduate committee. In such cases, a student must make up deficiencies, in consultation with the graduate adviser, and must complete all required courses with at least a “B” (3.0) average before classified graduate standing may be considered.
Graduate Standing: Classified
Students will be classified upon fulfillment of the above prerequisites and after development of an approved study plan.
STUDY PLAN
The program requires 30 units of graduate study: 21 units in the discipline of American Studies, six units in other disciplines and three units in the development of an appropriate research skill.
American Studies (21 units)
Other Disciplines (6 units)
Graduate-level seminars in anthropology, art, communications, comparative literature, English, geography, history, political science or sociology. Pedagogical and productions skill seminars are excluded. Students should select outside discipline seminars in consultation with the graduate advisor.
Elective Skill (3 units)
A student must demonstrate proficiency in a methodological skill appropriate to his or her scholarly interests. In consultation with an adviser, the student will select the skill to be developed. Proficiency in a foreign language, quantitative methods or linguistics would, for example, be appropriate. If prerequisite work is necessary before a student can develop proficiency through three units of coursework, that preliminary work will not be counted toward the 30 units required for the M.A. degree.
For further information, consult graduate program adviser.
AMERICAN STUDIES COURSES
Courses are designated as AMST in the class schedule.
