American Studies at SJSU

About me:

WHAT IS AMERICAN STUDIES?
American Studies seeks to understand the depth and complexity of the society and culture of the United States. Even in saying that, we notice that the United States contains many different cultures that are simultaneously different from each other, and yet tied together by history, experience, and cultural blending. Studying American culture and society, then, in all its diversity, often raises questions that require the perspectives of many different scholarly disciplines to answer them. This interdisciplinary approach can include a wide range of methods from history, sociology, anthropology, psychology, art history, literature, musicology, critical legal studies, political science, cultural studies, philosophy, and even the natural sciences. American Studies takes a critical stance to American culture, meaning that it seeks to explain how and why American culture is what it has been, is, and may become; and to understand the inequalities and injustice alongside the triumphs and successes of the American story. This also includes seeing the United States as one nation among many, with global influence, power, and connections in the modern world. Exploring the breadth of American culture in this way can help students grow into critical and complex thinkers, well-prepared for various careers and to be responsible and aware citizens.

CAREERS with a DEGREE in AMERICAN STUDIES
Because American Studies is broad and critical, it helps you develop key skills of value in many career paths, including the evaluation and interpretation of evidence; description, critique and analysis of complex ideas and facts; and clear communication through writing and discussion. Here are some key careers that follow nicely from a degree in American Studies (some might require additional education): law, civil service & government, non-profit and advocacy work, community organizing, social work, professional writers and journalists, business and marketing, teaching and education, and scholarly careers.

MAJOR in AMERICAN STUDIES at SJSU
39 Credits total:
Required courses (24 units):
AMS 159 Nature and World Cultures
AMS 160 Contemporary Topics in American Studies
AMS 169 American Dream
AMS 179 American Popular Culture
AMS 190 Senior Seminar in American Studies
HUM 120A Interdisciplinary Studies of the Renaissance and Baroque Eras
HUM 120B Interdisciplinary Studies of the Enlightenment and Romantic Eras
HUM 128 Perspectives on the Twentieth Century: The West in Global Context

Electives (15 units):
Students choose courses from across the university from a list of approved courses, including at least one from each of the following categories: Values and Ideas, Arts and Popular culture, Politics and Society, and Gender and Ethnicity. For details and to choose classes right for you, see an American Studies Advisor.

MINOR in AMERICAN STUDIES at SJSU
Students have two tracks to choose from, depending on whether or not they took the AMS1A/1B sequence:

Track 1:
AMS1A/1B American Civilization I & II, AMS 169 American Dream, AMS 179 American Popular Culture, and AMS 190 Senior Seminar

Track 2:
AMS 159 Nature and World Cultures, AMS 160 Contemporary Issues, AMS 169 American Dream, AMS 179 American Popular Culture, AMS 190 Senior Seminar