Concentration in American Studies
Students must earn a "C" or better in each course taken to fulfill a concentration requirement.
Program Overview
The American Studies Concentration is designed to provide students with an interdisciplinary background in American society and culture. Areas of study may include: history, literature, politics, gender studies, women's studies, Latin-American studies, African-American studies, Native-American Studies, cultural studies, social sciences, environmental studies, rhetoric, film and media studies, art, and music. The program is designed to help students draw connections and build bridges between the diverse aspects of the American experience, past and present.
The American Studies Concentration hones students proficiencies in a variety of skills, including reading, writing, and critical thinking. It prepares students for careers in business, education, journalism, library science, communications, public relations, management, foreign service, social welfare, city planning, and government, as well as graduate and professional schools such as law. It also cultivates in students the flexible and integrated thinking necessary in a post-industrial, information-based economy and society.
Advisory Board:
Prof. Rachel Luria | Dr. Christopher Strain | Dr. Mark Tunick | Dr. Sondra Washington
Additional Course Information
Available Options:
Concentration in American Studies
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AMS 3003 | Honors Colloquium in American Studies | 3 |
| AMH 2010 | Honors U.S. History to 1877 | 3 |
| AMH 2020 | Honors U.S. History from 1877 | 3 |
| American Literature | 6 | |
| American Law or Government | 3 | |
| Ethnic Studies | 3 | |
| American Studies Electives | 9 | |
| IDS 4970 | Honors Thesis (2 semesters) | 6 |
| Total Credits | 36 |
American Literature
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AML 2010 | Honors American Literature to 1865 | 3 |
| AML 2022 | Honors American Literature, 1865-1945 | 3 |
| AMH 2053 | Honors American Literature, 1945-Present | 3 |
| AML 3111 | Honors American Novel to 1900 | 3 |
| AML 3121 | Honors American Novel since 1900 | 3 |
| AML 4310 | Honors Major American Writers: 19th Century |
3 |
American Law and Government
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POS 1041 | Honors Government of the U.S. | 3 |
| POS 3691 | Honors Law and American Society | 3 |
| POS 4603 | Honors Constitutional Law I | 3 |
| POS 4604 | Honors Constitutional Law II | 3 |
| POS 4414 | Honors U.S. Presidency | 3 |
| POS 4423 | Honors U.S. Congress | 3 |
| POS 4685 | Honors American Legal Development | 3 |
Ethnic Studies
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HUM 3320 | Honors Cont. Multicult. Studies | 3 |
| PHI 2642 | Honors Ethics of Social Diversity | 3 |
| AMH 4932 | Honors Civil Rights Movement | 3 |
| AML 4603 | Honors Honors African-American Literature | 3 |
| AML 4640 | Honors Native American Literature | 3 |
American Studies Electives
These nine credits can be satisfied by courses listed above that are not otherwise counted for the concentration. Other courses offered at FAU may be used only with prior approval of the Concentration Advisor. Students are reminded that they need 42 credits of upper-level (3000 or 4000-level) coursework to graduate and should plan accordingly.
Senior Thesis
The honors thesis is a manuscript of at least fifty pages, demonstrating the student s original contribution to his/her chosen area. The thesis will be written under the direction of a faculty advisor; students are expected to prepare for an oral presentation of the project.
Restrictions:
At least half of the total coursework (15 credit hours) should be three-credit, upper-division (3000- or 4000-level) courses. Grades in all courses in the major must average "C" or higher; no course with a grade of "C-" or below will count in the requirements for the major.