American Studies
Office: 441 Bryan Hall
Phone: (434)924-6676
The United States is a country held together by different and often conflicting stories of nationhood, and the American Studies major is an interdisciplinary major designed to create dialogue about the multiple ways in which these stories have been told over the last five centuries. The American Studies major demands of its students self-consciousness about their own theories and practices through a comparative perspective on national narratives. We hope students will learn to describe those narratives in different modes - written and electronic, verbal and nonverbal, visual and auditory. In addition, each student will be expected to demonstrate the ability to transcend disciplinary boundaries. Although we affirm the necessity and integrity of individual disciplines, we want our American Studies students to understand the assumptions and methods of several of them. An ongoing goal for the small group admitted to the major will be to realize a sense of intellectual community that enables its members, both students and faculty, to look beyond their personal interests as they pursue studies in common.
Students interested in applying to the major must do so in the spring semester of their second year. We will consider applications from third-year students on a case-by-case basis. The total number of students admitted will not exceed 30 students a year. If you are interested in applying, contact the department for details and deadlines. There will be an informational meeting in March for prospective applicants. To apply, fill out an application form, which is available on the website or at the meeting, and submit to the office by the deadline (usually in mid-March).
We recommend prospective majors take AMST 201 for an introduction to American Studies texts and methodology, plus a variety of courses from several departments on topics related to American culture and history. AMST 201 is Instructor Permission Only. To take AMST 201, pick up a Course Action Form from Garrett Hall and have the form signed by Professor Cushman, Director of the Major, or the faculty instructor.
If you have any further questions, please write to or contact Stephen Cushman, 441 Bryan Hall, .