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Professors J.M. Vlach, R.W. Longstreth, J.A. Miller (Chair), P.M. Palmer
Associate Professors T.A. Murphy, M. McAlister, C. Heap, T. Guglielmo
Assistant Professors J.K. Kosek, S. Osman, E. Pena, E. Anker
Professorial Lecturers R.D. Wagner, O. Ridout, F. Goodyear
Bachelor of Arts with a major in American studies—The following requirements must be fulfilled:
1. The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences.
2. Prerequisite courses—AmSt 71—72 or Hist 71—72 or equivalent.
3. Required courses in related areas—Two semesters of foreign language or placement into the third semester of a foreign language by examination; also, one course on a foreign culture, either selected from the CCAS list of foreign culture courses or as approved by the department.
4. Requirements for the major—two 100-level U.S. history courses (one with a significant focus on the pre-20th century, the other primarily focused on the 20th century); AmSt 168, 180, and five courses in the student’s area of focus. Areas of focus are diversity and difference; the built environment and urban and regional spaces; and cultural analysis. A list of appropriate courses for each area of focus is maintained by the department. With approval, other pertinent upper-level courses may be used, including Topics courses on appropriate subjects. At least two of the five courses in the area of focus must be cross-listed in American studies. In all cases of AmSt courses that are cross-listed with other University departments, students may register for the course in either department.
Five-Year Bachelor of Arts with a major in American studies and Master of Arts in the field of American studies or in the field of American studies with a concentration in historic preservation—Students interested in these dual degree programs should consult the department before the beginning of the junior year.
Special Honors—For Special Honors in American studies, a major must meet the special honors requirements stated under University Regulations, be recommended by the faculty, and receive a grade of A on the senior paper written for AmSt 180.
Minor in American studies—Required: 18 credit hours of 100-level courses, including AmSt 167 or 168, and two 100-level U.S. history courses, one of which is focused primarily on pre-20th century and the other primarily on 20th-century material.
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| 50 |
Washington, D.C.: History, Culture, and Politics (3) |
Staff |
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Introduction to interdisciplinary methods of studying the contemporary city. Major problems of metropolitan life, past and present, analyzed by faculty and community leaders. Emphasis on experiential team projects. (Fall) |
| 71—72 |
Introduction to American Studies (3—3) |
Murphy, Palmer, McAlister |
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Themes and issues in American civilization since Colonial times, with emphasis on their contemporary importance. (Academic year) |
| 125 |
20th-Century U.S. Immigration (3) |
Guglielmo |
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Survey of immigration policy and immigrants’ lives. How immigrants have changed the United States and how the United States has changed immigrants. |
| 130 |
Sexuality in U.S. History (3) |
Heap |
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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. Same as Hist 130/WStu 130. |
| 139—40 |
Women in the United States (3—3) |
Harrison, Murphy |
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Survey of women’s experience in U.S. history, the way gender has organized relations of power, and the impact of race, region, class, and ethnicity on women and on gender roles. Same as Hist 139/WStu 139—40. (Academic year) |
| 144 |
Explorations in Historical Geography (3) |
Staff |
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Examination of selected themes in the cultural geography of the United States over the course of its history, in relation to an overview of the historical geography of the country. Same as Geog 144. (Spring) |
| 145 |
Folk Arts in America (3) |
Vlach |
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Ceramics, woodcarving, ironwork, decorative painting, weaving, and other crafts. Same as AH 156. |
| 160 |
Material Culture in America (3) |
Vlach |
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Review and analysis of the cultural messages embedded in our material surroundings. Consideration of a range of humanly created artifacts, ranging from specific objects to vast landscapes. Same as Anth 130. |
| 162 |
U.S. Religion and Politics (3) |
Kosek |
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How religion and politics have influenced each other in the United States and how Americans have understood those influences. Religious violence; conflicts between faith and science; religious factors in racial and gender politics; and the separation of church and state. |
| 165 |
Introduction to Folklore (3) |
Vlach |
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Survey of the forms of folk expression, including verbal art, music, dance, and material culture. Examination of the materials and methods of folklore research. Same as Anth 192. |
| 167 |
Themes in U.S. Cultural History (3) |
Kosek, Osman |
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An examination of the special ideas, values, and modes of expression that have made American life distinctive, as revealed through a variety of sources, including fiction, popular media, photography and the arts, and material culture. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. |
| 168 |
Cultural Criticism in America (3) |
McAlister, Heap, Kosek |
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A variety of approaches to cultural criticism, encompassing the nature of aesthetic accomplishment as well as the social contexts that alter and enrich the shape of cultural expression. The significance of culture to politics, social life, and the development of individual and collective identities. Limited to majors. (Fall and spring) |
| 170 |
The American City (3) |
Osman |
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An interdisciplinary introduction to the ethnic, cultural, political, and architectural landscape of the American city. Urban theory, race and ethnicity, urban history, planning and architecture, city politics, and cultural representations of the city. |
| 171—72 |
U.S. Social History (3—3) |
Stott, Guglielmo |
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AmSt 171: Daily life, institutions, intellectual and artistic achievements of the agrarian era, 1607—1861. AmSt 172: The urban—industrial era from 1861 to present. Same as Hist 171—72. (Academic year) |
| 173 |
African American History (3) |
Alexander |
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Same as Hist 173. |
| 174 |
Special Topics in African American History (3) |
Staff |
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Concentration on specific issues central to the African American experience. Consult the Schedule of Classes for issues to be addressed. |
| 175—76 |
American Architecture (3—3) |
Longstreth |
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Stylistic properties, form and type characteristics, technological developments, and urbanistic patterns are introduced as a means of interpretation of historic meaning. Buildings are analyzed both as artifacts and as signifiers of social, cultural, and economic tendencies. AmSt 175: 1600—1860; AmSt 176: 1860—present. Same as AH 154—55. (Academic year) |
| 180 |
Proseminar in American Studies (3) |
Staff |
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For American studies majors. Directed research and writing on special topics. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. (Spring) |
| 181 |
U.S. Media and Cultural History (3) |
McAlister |
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History and analysis of 20th-century U.S. media and culture, including the rise of consumer culture, film, and television. Racial, gendered, and national identities in the context of modernism, mass culture, and globalization. Same as Hist 181. |
| 185 |
Black Women in U.S. History (3) |
Alexander |
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Same as Hist 185/WStu 185. |
| 186 |
U.S. Urban History (3) |
Stott, Heap, Osman |
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History of American urban life and culture from the colonial era to the present, focusing on 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. Same as Hist 186. (Fall) |
| 187 |
Building Cities (3) |
Staff |
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Same as Geog 187. |
| 192 |
The American Cinema (3) |
Staff |
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History and criticism of American films. The course enables the student to recognize and evaluate cinema techniques, to express the evaluation clearly in writing, and to understand the role of films in the context of American culture. Laboratory fee. Same as AH 157. (Spring) |
| 193 |
Historical Archaeology Field Program (3) |
Staff |
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Same as Anth 113. |
| 194 |
Historical Archaeology (3) |
Staff |
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Same as Anth 187. |
| 195 |
Independent Study (1 to 3) |
Staff |
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Open to a limited number of American studies majors as directed research or as an internship with a Washington museum or historical society. Approval of advisor required. (Fall and spring) |
| 198 |
Special Topics (3) |
Staff |
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May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Admission by permission of instructor. |
