AMERICAN STUDIES
Professors J.O. Horton, J.M. Vlach, R.W. Longstreth, J.A. Miller (Chair), P.M. Palmer, M. Knight
Associate Professors T.A. Murphy, M. McAlister
Assistant Professors C. Heap, T. Guglielmo, J.K. Kosek, S. Osman
Adjunct Associate Professors E. Mayo, P.J. Cressey
Associate Professorial Lecturers R.D. Wagner, O. Ridout, F. Goodyear
Master of Arts in the field of American studies—Prerequisite: the degree of Bachelor of Arts in American studies or a related field.
Required: the general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, including AmSt 231, at least one research seminar, and 30 additional credits of courses pertaining to the study of American civilization, of which 6 credits may be an optional thesis. A comprehensive examination covering general competence in American studies and the candidate's area of concentration is required. Special concentrations in the master's degree program include the following. 1. A concentration in museums and material culture—Course emphasis on the use of artifacts in historical research, offered in association with the Smithsonian Institution. Required in addition to the general requirements outlined above: AmSt 250. Recommended: courses in decorative arts, architectural history, historical archaeology, history of technology, history of art, and folklife. Programs specific to museum studies and museum education are also available. 2. A concentration in historic preservation—Course emphasis on interpreting issues in historic preservation through a humanistic framework. Prerequisite: a course in American architectural history. For this concentration, the general requirements outlined above are amended as follows. Required: 36 credit hours, consisting of 12 hours of American studies courses including AmSt 231 and at least one research seminar; 18 hours of historic preservation courses including AmSt 277– 78; an optional thesis (6 hours) or two additional electives. A comprehensive examination, as outlined above, is required. 3. A concentration in folklife—Course emphasis on the expressive culture of American folk societies and theories and methods for their evaluation and interpretation. Required in addition to the general requirements outlined above: AmSt 256, 257. Recommended: courses in topics related to folklife, such as regionalism, oral history, material culture, vernacular architecture, and social and cultural history. Doctor of Philosophy in the field of American studies—This program combines work in the humanities and/or social sciences as preparation for careers in a range of institutions, including universities, museums, archives, libraries, preservation offices, and related public and private enterprises. Applicants are required to have an adequate background in the humanities and/or social sciences as they apply to the understanding of American studies.
Required: the general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences and successful completion of a reading knowledge examination in an approved foreign language. All students must take AmSt 231 and a research seminar approved by the advisor. Candidates must pass a General Examination in three areas, to be taken over the course of one month, by the end of the third year from matriculation. The three fields are elected with approval of the advisory committee; one field may represent foreign coverage. Other areas may be chosen from American social, cultural, or urban history; folklife, literature, art, philosophy, or religion; popular culture, cultural theory, mass media; race and ethnic studies; African American or women's/gender history; historic preservation; or some areas of the social and behavioral sciences. With permission, a limited number of 100-level courses in the department may be taken for graduate credit; additional course work is required. See the Undergraduate Programs Bulletin for course listings.
| 220 |
Fundamentals of Feminist Theory (3) |
Staff |
| |
Same as WStu 220. |
| 226 |
U.S. Media and Cultural History (3) |
McAlister |
| |
History and analysis of the 20th-century U.S. media and culture, including film, television, and literature, with a focus on primary texts. The construction of identities in the context of modernism, mass culture, and globalization. Linked to lecture for AmSt 181, with graduate section. Same as Hist 226. |
| 231 |
Seminar: Scope and Methods in American Studies (3) |
Murphy, McAlister |
| |
Consideration of American studies as an area for research and teaching; introduction to bibliography. Required of candidates for the degree of Master of Arts in the field of American studies. (Fall) |
| 232 |
Cultural Theory and American Studies (3) |
McAlister |
| |
Major issues in critical and cultural theory as they relate to American culture. Various interpretive approaches including discourse analysis, cultural studies, new historicism, anthropological theory, etc. Prerequisite: AmSt 231 or permission of instructor. (Spring, alternate years) |
| 244 |
Sexuality in U.S. History (3) |
Heap |
| |
Examination of the changing social organization and meaning of sexual practices and desires in American culture, with particular attention to the relationship between sexuality and gendered racial and class identities and politics. Linked to lecture for AmSt 130, with graduate section. Same as Hist 244/WStu 244. |
| 256 |
Folklore Theory (3) |
Vlach |
| |
An intellectual history of American folklore research; analysis of particular theories and methods. Same as Anth 296. (Spring) |
| 257 |
Seminar: American Folklife (3) |
Vlach |
| |
Research and discussion on the traditional cultures of various geographical regions of the United States. Analysis of folk art, craft, and architecture; regional and ethnic identities. Same as Anth 297. (Fall) |
| 259 |
Topics in American Folklife (3) |
Staff |
| |
A seminar devoted to a variety of subjects related to folklore and folklife, such as public folklore policy, folk music, or ethnic folklore and culture. Specific topic to be determined by the interests of available faculty and the needs of the folklife program. |
| 262 |
The United States in a Global Context (3) |
McAlister |
| |
Analysis of the cultural constructions of the nation and international power, comparing the context of the 18th and 19th century, European colonialism, and U.S. expansion in the 20th century. The role of literature and mass media in furthering the logic of globalization. Readings are both theoretical and historical. |
| 268–69 |
Readings and Research in American Cultural History (3–3) |
McAlister, Murphy |
| |
Studies in the cultural history of the United States, focusing on major historiographic debates and interventions. Topics include: cultural contact, colonialism, the public sphere, the rise and dissemination of mass media, consumer culture, systems of religious and political belief, gender relations, and racial formations. Same as Hist 268–69. (Alternate years) |
| 270 |
Theory and Practice of Public History (3) |
Horton |
| |
Theoretical and practical dimensions of public history, as illustrated by recent controversies surrounding public exhibitions and debates on revisionist history as well as more traditional means of presenting the past in public forums. Same as Hist 270. |
| 271–72 |
Readings/Research Seminar: U.S. Social History (3–3) |
Horton, Guglielmo |
| |
AmSt 271: Readings seminar on American daily life, institutions, and intellectual and artistic achievements. AmSt 272: Research seminar. AmSt 271 is prerequisite to AmSt 272. Same as Hist 271–72. |
| 273 |
Readings on Women in American History (3) |
Harrison |
| |
Same as Hist 273/WStu 273. |
| 275 |
The Politics of Historic Preservation (3) |
Staff |
| |
Overview of the political issues, forces, events, and players that have shaped contemporary preservation practice, with an emphasis on public policy issues that have not been resolved and continue to confront preservation objectives. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. (Spring) |
| 276 |
Economics of Preservation (3) |
Wagner |
| |
Analysis of economic techniques and benefits used to encourage the retention and reuse of historic buildings and districts in the United States. Emphasis on revitalization of older commercial centers and the Mainstreet program. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. (Spring) |
| 277–78 |
Historic Preservation: Principles and Methods (3–3) |
Longstreth |
| |
The scope and purpose of the preservation movement in the United States, with focus on developments since the 1960s. Preservation theories, attitudes toward the past and toward design, the intent and impact of legislation, approaches to documentation, the concept of significance, and preservation as an instrument of change. Same as Hist 277–78. (Academic year) |
| 280 |
Field Methods in Architectural Documentation (3) |
Ridout |
| |
In-depth thematic examination of cultural landscape, focusing on field techniques for recording, analysis, and interpretation of historic properties. Work at field sites is supplemented by lectures, discussion, and readings. (Fall) |
| 282 |
Seminar in American Architecture (3) |
Longstreth |
| |
Advanced research problems addressing artistic, cultural, social, technical, and urbanistic aspects of American architecture in the 19th and 20th centuries.Topics vary. Prerequisite: AmSt 175 or 176 or equivalent, or permission of instructor. (Spring, alternate years) |
| 286 |
Interpretation in the Historic House Museum (3) |
Stapp |
| |
Same as Educ 286. |
| 287 |
U.S. Urban History (3) |
Heap, Osman |
| |
History of American urban life and culture from the Colonial era to the present, focusing on the transitions from pre-industrial to industrial and post-industrial forms, the social and spatial configuration of U.S. cities, and the urban politics of race, class, and gender. Linked to lecture for AmSt 186, with graduate section. Same as Hist 287. |
| 289–90 |
Seminar: Topics in American Studies (3–3) |
Staff |
| |
Research problems selected by the instructor. Preparation in American cultural history or other area appropriate to the topic of the seminar. |
| 294 |
Archaeology Field/Laboratory Research (3) |
Staff |
| |
Same as Anth 284. |
| 295 |
Independent Study (arr.) |
Staff |
| |
Limited to master's candidates. Written permission of instructor required. |
| 299–300 |
Thesis Research (3–3) |
Staff |
| 398 |
Advanced Reading and Research (arr.) |
Staff |
| |
Limited to students preparing for the Doctor of Philosophy general examination. May be repeated for credit. |
| 399 |
Dissertation Research (arr.) |
Staff |
| |
Limited to Doctor of Philosophy candidates. May be repeated for credit. |
Courses Offered in Affiliation with the Smithsonian Institution
Columbian College of Arts and Sciences is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution's Program for Graduate Students in the History of American Civilization. The following courses are offered at the Smithsonian Institution.
| 250 |
American Material Culture (3) |
Mayo |
| |
Opportunities for research and publication based on historical objects in the collections of the Smithsonian Institution. |
| 251 |
Museum Research and Education (3) |
Mayo |
| |
Work or study under the direction of Smithsonian staff members and research associates—topics include museum visitor behavior, costumes and furnishings, decorative arts, and photography as historical documentation. |
| 252–53 |
American Decorative Arts (3–3) |
Staff |
| |
Recognition and evaluation of domestic artifacts from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. |
| 284 |
Seminar: Studies in American Art and History (3) |
Goodyear |
| |
Selected problems and themes in American cultural history involving the use of artistic materials in different media; emphasis on methodology and analytic techniques. May be repeated for credit. Same as AH 255. |
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