Dr. Laura Henigman, Coordinator

Phone: (540) 568-6860

E-mail: henigmlx@jmu.edu

The minor in American studies is based on the desirability of fostering an understanding of the whole of American civilization 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 AMST 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.

American Studies Courses

Core Requirements	Credit Hours
GAMST 200. Introduction to American Studies	3
Elective: One course from any of the groups below	3
Multicultural Studies	6
Choose two from the courses below:
ANTH 236. 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
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 or
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
GHIST 225. United States History
GPOSC 225. U.S. Government
HIST 310. American Business History or
SOCI 302. Business in American Society
POSC 369. Political Parties and Elections or
POSC 385. Legislative Process
SCOM 346. Free Speech
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AMST 490. May be substituted with prior approval the program coordinator.

Further information may be obtained from the program coordinator.