The American Studies minor at The W encourages students to explore the society, culture, and history around them. American Studies is interdisciplinary, which means it requires students integrate various fields of inquiry relating to American peoples and the American past. By approaching American culture from a variety of perspectives and disciplines, we create a fuller picture of what America is. The 18-credit hour minor includes three major categories of study—history, society, and culture—with equal credit hours required from each section.

In addition to completing 18 credit hours from courses in the three categories of history, society and culture, a cumulative average of C or better is required. Of these selections (18 credits), 6 hours must be at the 300 level or above. To count towards the minor all classes must have a final grade of D or above.

American Studies Minor Requirements

History:

Select two courses: (6 Semester Hours)

HIS 109 – US History to 1877
HIS 110 – US History 1877 to present
HIS 312 – Mississippi History
HIS 326 – Women in American History
HIS 351 – Colonial America
HIS 352 – The American Revolution and Beyond, 1763-1815
HIS 360 – Capitalism and Democracy in the Jacksonian Era, 1815-1845
HIS 361 – The Civil War and its Causes, 1845-1865
HIS 363 – Origins of Modern America, 1870-1920
HIS 365 – America Since 1940
HIS 371 – Movies and American Society
HIS 405 – History of Religion in America
HIS 454 – History of the South

Society:

Select two courses: (6 Semester Hours)

POL 150 – American Government
POL 360 – Political Parties and Interest Groups
POL 380 – US Foreign Policy
POL 370 – Campaigns & Elections
POL 395 – American Constitutional Law
POL 401 – The American Congress
POL 410 – The American Presidency
POL 440 – Urban Politics and Policy
GEO 302 – Geography of North America
SOC 303 – Social Problems
SOC 359 – Juvenile Justice System
SOC 456 – Minorities
SOC 458 – Sociology of Low Income Groups

Culture:

Select two courses: (6 Semester Hours)

ART 316 – American Art
ART 399 – Special Topics in Art and Design
EN 203 – Survey of Early American Literature
EN 204 – Survey of Late American Literature
EN 484 – American Literature of the Early Nineteenth Century
EN 485 – American Literature of the Later Nineteenth Century
EN 360 – African-American Literature
EN 409 – Young Adult Literature
EN 425 – Seminar in American Literature
COM 102 – Introduction to Mass Communication
COM 303 – Images of Women in Film
MUS 135 – Great American Theatre Musicals
FLM 101 – Introduction to Film
FLM 201 – Survey of Film History
FLS 321 – Survey of Hispanic Cultural Productions I
FLS 322 – Survey of Hispanic Cultural Productions II

Total: 18 credit hours