American Studies Program Requirements for 2023-2024

B.A. in American Studies

In addition to liberal arts Core requirements, 7 credits in concentrated American studies coursework are required for the degree major. You will also choose 27 credits of elective classes from content areas including American Studies and related disciplines: African American Studies, Arts, Economics, English History, Philosophy, Political Science, Religious Studies, Sociology, and Gender and Sexuality Studies (see electives list below).

For students majoring in American studies, all courses designated AMST and all elective courses chosen from the electives list (see below) that may apply to the major are included in the determination of the grade point average in the major.

Note: There are additional specific requirements for American studies majors who are also majoring in inclusive adolescence education or inclusive childhood education. Please refer to these specific course requirements below under the Inclusive Adolescence Education Dual Major/Concentration heading or the Inclusive Childhood Education Dual Major/Concentration heading

Requirements

Foundation Core Courses – 7 credits

Core courses must be taken at Fisher.

  • AMST 123 – This is America (3) OR AMST 210P – American Experience (3)*
  • AMST 270 – Career Planning Seminar (1)**
  • AMST 470 – Senior Research Seminar (3)

*If both courses are taken, one course counts as an elective.
**Optional for education majors

Electives – 27 credits

Nine of the remaining American Studies elective courses can be any American Studies course and select courses from African American Studies, Arts, Economics, English, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Religious Studies, Sociology, and Gender and Sexuality Studies that focus on theories and methods concerning the American experience (see electives list below). Two elective courses must be at the 300- or 400-level, one with an AMST prefix and the other in American Studies or a related discipline (English, History, Political Science) that focuses on theories and/or methods concerning the American experience (consult electives list below or permission of Chair).

  • Any American Studies course (AMST prefix) (3)
  • AFAM 2101 – Race Equity: Talk to Action (3)
  • AFAM 2102 – Intro to Anti-Racism Practice (3)
  • AFAM 2350 – Equality v Equity: African American Experiences (3)
  • ARTS 2100 – Engaging Public Arts (3)
  • COMM 2175 – It Happened Here (3)
  • ECON 224 – Economics of Healthcare (3)
  • ECON 254 – Economics of Crime (3)
  • ENGL 297 – P1 Readings in American Literature (3)
  • ENGL 2320 – AFAM Literature & Culture (3)
  • ENGL 2360 – Imagining the American Dream (3)
  • ENGL 2362 – Multicultural America (3)
  • ENGL 335 – Studies in AFAM Literature (3)
  • ENGL 336 – Studies in Native American Literature (3)
  • ENGL 337 – Multicultural Literature (3)
  • ENGL 339 – American Literatures (3)
  • HIST 103D – P3 The United States to 1865 (required) (3)
  • HIST 104D – P3 The United States Since 1865 (required) (3)
  • HIST 296D – History of Rochester (3)
  • HIST 298D – New York State History (3)
  • HIST 322 – Reconstruction and Race (3)
  • HIST 351P – The United States Since 1945 (3)
  • HIST 390 – Public History, History and Community (3)
  • HIST 441 – American Colonial History (3)
  • PHIL 2301 – Indigenous Issues Today (3)
  • POSC 111C – P3 Introduction to American Government (3)
  • POSC 200 – Doing Political Science (3)
  • POSC 224 – P3 Campaigns and Elections (3)
  • POSC 317 – The Presidency (3)
  • POSC 318 – Congress (3)
  • POSC 325 – Constitutional Law (3)
  • REST 2372 – Martin & Malcolm (3)
  • SOCI 2484 – Understanding Racism (3)
  • WGST 2121 – Queering Film (3)
  • WGST 2303 – Queer Studies (3)
  • WGST 2419 – Disability and Social Justice (3)

Total: 34 credits

B.S. Inclusive Adolescence Education/American Studies Dual Major

Students pursuing teaching certification in inclusive adolescence education (social studies) may dual major in inclusive adolescence education and American studies and earn a Bachelor of Science degree. In addition to meeting all of the inclusive adolescence education requirements (40–43 credits: see Inclusive Adolescence Education for details) the American Studies Department in conjunction with the Education Department has outlined the following requirements for the American studies major and certification in social studies. Students must earn grades of “C” or higher in all courses in the content area.

  • Choose ONE:
    • AMST 123: This Is America
    • AMST 210: American Experience
  • AMST 470: Senior Research Seminar (3)
  • HIST 103: U.S. to 1865 (3)
  • HIST 104: U.S. Since 1865 (3)
  • POSC 111: American Government (3)
  • Any TWO courses from American Studies electives list with an AMST prefix (6)
  • TWO additional course at the 300- or 400-level from electives list (3)

Additional courses required for NYSED approval:

  • Choose ONE:
    • ECON 105: Principles of Microeconomics
    • ECON 106: Principles of Macroeconomics
  • HIST 300: Modern World: Geog & Pol (3)
  • HIST 101: Europe 1500-1815 (3)
  • HIST 102: Europe Since 1815 (3)

Total: 39 credits

Note:  These requirements add five additional credits to the content area of the American studies major. As early as possible, students should consult with an education advisor to set up a program leading to certification. It is strongly recommended that students interested in teaching social studies take a Global Connections elective (such as HIST 106: Asian Civilization Since 1800 or HIST 219: Modern Middle East), and it is recommended that students take both ECON 105 and 106. These courses, if taken, would be used as general electives. HIST 298: New York State History is also suggested as an elective in the American Studies major.

B.S. Inclusive Adolescence Education Major with a Social Studies Concentration (AMST)

Students pursuing teaching certification in inclusive adolescence education (social studies) may choose to complete a concentration in American studies instead of a major, resulting in a Bachelor of Science degree. In addition to meeting all of the inclusive adolescence education requirements (40–43 credits: see Inclusive Adolescence Education for details), the American Studies Department in conjunction with the Education Department has outlined the following courses for the American studies concentration which meet the New York state requirement for social studies certification. Students must earn grades of “C” or higher in all courses in the content area.

  • Choose ONE:
    • AMST 123: This Is America
    • AMST 210: American Experience
  • HIST 103D – P3 The U.S. to 1865 (3)
  • HIST 104D – P3 The U.S. Since 1865 (3)
  • POSC 111C – P3 The American Government (3)
  • Any ONE AMST course from AMST elective list with an AMST prefix (3)
  • TWO additional course at the 300- or 400-level from electives list
  • Choose ONE:
    • ECON 105C – P3 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
    • ECON 106C – P3 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
  • HIST 300: Modern World: Geog & Pol
  • HIST 101: Europe 1500-1815
  • HIST 102: Europe Since 1815

Total: 33 credits

Note: As early as possible, students should consult with an education advisor to set up a program leading to certification. It is strongly recommended that students interested in teaching social studies take a Global Connections elective (such as HIST 106: Asian Civilization Since 1800 or HIST 219: Modern Middle East), and it is recommended that students take both ECON 105 and 106. These courses, if taken, would be used as general electives. HIST 298: New York State History is also suggested as an elective in the AMST concentration.

B.S. Inclusive Childhood Education/American Studies Dual Major

Students pursuing teaching certification in inclusive childhood education must declare either a second major or a concentration in a liberal arts field. Either choice results in a Bachelor of Science degree. Inclusive childhood education majors who wish to pursue a dual major with American studies take all of the major requirements as listed above (B.A. degree requirements) with the exception of the Career Seminar, in addition to meeting all of the inclusive childhood education requirements (49-55 credits: see Inclusive Childhood Education for details). Students must earn grades of “C” or higher in all courses in the content area. As early as possible, students should consult with an education advisor to set up a program leading to certification. It is recommended that students take HIST 298: New York State History or HIST 296: History of Rochester as one of their electives.

B.S. Inclusive Childhood Education Major with a Social Studies Concentration (AMST)

If an inclusive childhood education major wishes to complete a concentration in American studies, the American Studies Department in conjunction with the Education Department, has outlined the following courses which meet the New York state requirement for a liberal arts concentration in this field. Students must take all of the major requirements as listed above (B.A. degree requirements) with two exceptions of the Career Seminar (which is optional) and the senior Research Seminar, in addition to meeting all of the inclusive childhood education requirements (49-55 credits: see Inclusive Childhood Education for details). Students must earn grades of “C” or higher in all courses in the content area. As early as possible, students should consult with an education advisor to set up a program leading to certification. It is recommended that students take HIST 298: New York State History or HIST 296: History of Rochester as one of their electives.

Minor in American Studies

A grade point average of 2.00 is required for all courses taken in residence that may be applied to the minor.

Requirements

Choose ONE required course (3 credits): 

  • AMST 123: This is America*
  • AMST 210: American Experience*

Choose ANY FIVE electives: (consult Electives list) (15 credits)

  • At least ONE of which must be at the 300- or 400-level
  • At least TWO of which must be an American Studies/AMST prefix
  • At least ONE of which must be a non-American Studies/AMST prefix

*If both courses are taken, one course counts as an elective.

Total: 18 credits

Note: Only one course applied to a student’s major may also be used to satisfy a requirement in the American studies minor.

Note: The program requirements listed are for the current academic year. Past and future program requirements may differ.