AMSTU-BA - American Studies (BA)

The core requirements illustrate how different disciplines approach the study and interpretation of American life and include three courses in each of two main areas: history and institutions; and literature, culture, and the arts. One additional course in comparative race and ethnicity is also required.

Beyond the core requirements of the major, American Studies expects students to define and pursue their own interests in interpreting dimensions of American life. Accordingly, each student designs an interdisciplinary thematic concentration of at least five courses drawn from fields such as history, literature, art, communication, theater, political science, African American studies, feminist, gender, and sexuality studies, economics, anthropology, religious studies, Chicana/o-Latina/o studies, law, sociology, education, Native American studies, music, and film. At least one of the five courses in a student's thematic concentration should be an approved advanced seminar designated as the capstone seminar and must require a substantial research project. With program approval, students may conclude the major with an honors research project during their senior year. Whether defined broadly or narrowly, the thematic focus or concentration should examine its subject from the vantage of multiple disciplines. Examples of concentrations include: race and the law in America; gender in American culture and society; technology in American life and thought; health policy in America; art and culture in 19th-century America; education in America; nature and the environment in American culture; politics and the media; religion in American life; borders and boundaries in American culture; the artist in American society; and civil rights in America.

Units from courses taken from other Departments/Programs within Stanford may count for Major/Minor requirements if course equivalence is petitioned and approved by the the Director or Program Coordinators. Units from courses taken at institutions that are not Stanford may count for Major/Minor requirements if course equivalence is petitioned and approved by the Associate Director.

The program expects undergraduate majors to be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes. These learning outcomes are used in evaluating students and the undergraduate program. Students are expected to demonstrate:

1. ability to think about American culture and society in sophisticated, interdisciplinary, historically-informed ways, drawing on coursework in: history and institutions; literature, art, and culture; comparative race and ethnicity; and each student's individualized thematic focus

2. ability to identify and critically to assess different disciplinary, methodological, and interpretive approaches to the study of Americans and their past

3. ability to produce their own persuasive, nuanced, fact-based interpretations reflecting a close critical reading and analysis of relevant primary or secondary sources

4. ability to express their interpretive and analytical arguments in clear, effective prose.

5. ability to listen actively and to contribute to productive intellectual discussion in class