American Studies

Sponsored by the five undergraduate Claremont Colleges, American Studies is an interdisciplinary major that encourages students to think critically and creatively about culture, society, and politics in the United States. The American Studies Program is coordinated by an intercollegiate faculty whose aim is to introduce students to the complexity of the American experience. Majors take courses in a variety of disciplines such as literature, history, ethnic studies, sociology, anthropology, political science, music, media studies, and the visual arts. In addition, majors take multidisciplinary courses that use materials from different disciplines to explore particular issues in American life. The interdisciplinary approach to this major affords the student opportunities for graduate study and a variety of career choices, including education, law, library science, journalism, business, and museum work.

While many faculty at The Claremont Colleges offer courses that fulfill the American Studies major, the faculty listed below are considered core members of the program:

SC: Wendy Cheng (AMST), Warren Liu (ENGL; on leave, spring 2023)), Jih-Fei Cheng (FGSS; on leave, spring 2023), Martha Gonzalez (CHST), Thomas Koenigs (ENGL), Maryan Soliman (AFRI; on leave, fall 2022)
CMC: Daniel Livesay (HIST), Lily Geismer (HIST), Diana Selig (HIST), Tamara Venit-Shelton (HIST)
HMC: Isabel Balseiro (LIT), Erika Dyson (REL), Jeff Groves (LIT), David Seitz (GEO)
PO:  Victor Silverman (HIST), Aimee Bahng (GWS), Joti Rockwell (MUS), Val Thomas (ENGL), Kyla Wazana Tompkins (GWS)
PZ: Bill Anthes (ART), Todd Honma (ASAM), Susan Phillips (EA), Suyapa Portillo Villeda (CHST), Claudia Strauss (ANTH), ), Urmi Willoughby (HIST)

Learning Outcomes of the Program in American Studies

Department Goals and/or Objectives

Goals are broad statements that describe what the program wants to accomplish

1. Students gain knowledge of the histories and cultures of the United States.
2. Students gain an understanding of a wide range of methods across the disciplines.
3. Students learn how to analyze a wide range of evidence (e.g., written texts, films, paintings, musical compositions, etc.).
4. Students learn how to carry on research in American Studies effectively.
5. Students learn how to communicate effectively about the histories and cultures of the United States in both written and oral forms.
6. Students attain the skills and knowledge necessary for graduate study or a career in American Studies or a related field.

Student Learning Outcomes

Outcomes describe specific knowledge, abilities, values, and attitudes students should demonstrate

SLO1: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the United States history and cultures.
SLO2: Students show comprehension of various methodologies across disciplines.
SLO3: Students are able to analyze evidence.
SLO4: Students will conduct a research project in American Studies effectively.
SLO5: Students will be able to communicate effectively in written form.
SLO6: Students will be able to communicate effectively in oral form.

Programs

• American Studies Major
• American Studies Minor
• Courses in American Studies