The minor in American Studies is based on the desirability of fostering
an understanding of the whole of American culture through study in
a variety of fields and topics. Students will select courses in three
groups—Multicultural, Ideas and the Arts, and History and Politics—and
from fields including literature, history, the fine arts, philosophy,
and the social sciences. The American Studies program is a flexible
one that students can relate to their own individual interests and
needs while exploring the interrelationships among diverse aspects
of American culture and its changing ideas and values.
The minor program in American Studies is open to all undergraduate
students at JMU. The requirement is the successful completion of
24 hours. Three of the 24 hours must consist of GAMST 200, Introduction
to American Studies (previously GAMST 250). No more than nine of
the 24 hours may come from 100- or 200-level courses. Students must
take two courses from each of the groups listed and one elective
course chosen from any of the groups. Students are encouraged to petition the American Studies Coordinator to approve courses other than those listed here to fulfill these area requirements as well.
| Core Requirements |
Credit hours |
| |
GAMST 200 Introduction to American Studies |
3 credits |
| |
Elective: One course from any of the groups below |
3 credits |
| |
|
|
Multicultural Studies
Choose two from the
courses below: |
6 credits |
| |
SOC 336 Race and Ethnic Relations |
|
| |
ANTH 312 The Native Americans |
|
| |
ANTH 265 People and Cultures in Latin America |
|
| |
GENG 260 Survey of African American Literature |
|
| |
HIST 320 Women in United States History |
|
| |
HIST 355 or HIST 356 Afro-American History |
|
| |
REL 330 African-African-American Religion |
|
| |
|
|
Ideas and the Arts
Choose two from the courses below:
|
6 credits |
| |
ARTH 480 American Art to 1870 or |
|
| |
ARTH 482 American Art from 1870 |
|
| |
ARTH 484 Art of the Americas |
|
| |
GENG 247 Survey of American Literature: From The Beginning
to the Civil War |
|
| |
GENG 248 Survey of American Literature: From The Civil War
to the Modern Period |
|
| |
GMUS Music in America |
|
| |
SMAD 372 Media History |
|
| |
THEA 485 American Theatre History |
|
| |
PHIL 370 American Philosophy |
|
| |
POSC 330 American Political Thought |
|
| |
|
|
History and Politics
Choose two from the courses below:
|
6 credits |
| |
GHIST 225 United States History |
|
| |
GPOSC 225 U.S. Government |
|
| |
HIST 310 American Business History |
|
| |
SOCI 302 Business in American Society |
|
| |
POSC 369 Political Parties and Elections or |
|
| |
POSC 385 Legislative Process |
|
| |
SCOM 346 Free Speech |
|
| |
Total: |
24 credits |
AMST 490 May be substituted with prior approval of the program
coordinator.
See program coordinator about course substitutions and other information.
