American Studies Major

Learning Objectives for the American Studies Major

Students majoring in American Studies will:

• Gain competence in the theories and methods of American Studies interdisciplinary work and explore viable models of interdisciplinary learning and critical inquiry in the arts, humanities, and social sciences
• Develop knowledge of the histories and cultures of the United States, understanding the complex interrelationships of culture and society
• Learn to evaluate the influence and impact of America beyond its borders and the transnational, racial, ethnic, and religious interactions that, in turn, define its own identity
• Gain knowledge of the many innovations within disciplines that attend to changes in historical understanding, literary and artistic sensibilities, and social life
• Learn how to conduct in-depth, independent research in American Studies, making connections among disciplines in sharp and critical ways
• Attain skills as critical thinkers, cogent writers, and skillful researchers on a broad range of topics in American life through their course work, individual study, and honors work

Requirements for the American Studies Major

For students entering the College in Fall 2025 and beyond:

American Studies majors must complete nine units of coursework. These courses include:

1. Either AMST 101 or AMST 121, ideally completed by the second semester of sophomore year.
2. Five additional courses in American Studies. Of these five courses, at least two must be at the 300-level. AMST 350, AMST 360, and AMST 370 do not count towards the two 300- level course requirement.
3. Three elective courses that may be in the American Studies Department, or from the list of courses in other departments that count towards the major listed in a separate section of the catalog. If the student would like to count a course that is not listed but seems eligible for credit, the student should consult with the department chair.

Overall, students should not take more than two 100-level courses for the major, including AMST 101 or AMST 121, unless the student and their advisor decide it is necessary to round out the student’s course of study.

To augment this structure, students will choose a concentration that lends depth and coherence to the major. Chosen in consultation with the major advisor, a concentration consists of three or more courses pertaining to a topic, for example: 1) race, class, and gender 2) comparative ethnic studies 3) American culture and society 4) Asian American Studies 5) Latinx Studies. Students may also construct their own concentration in consultation with their advisor.

For students entering the college prior to Fall 2025:

The American Studies major seeks to understand the American experience through a multidisciplinary program of study. The requirements for the major are as follows: Nine units of course work are required for the major, at least six of which should be taken at Wellesley College. These courses include either AMST 101 or AMST 121, which should be completed before the end of the junior year; at least two courses in historical studies (in addition to AMST 101); one course in literature; one course in the arts; and one course from any one of the following three areas: social and behavioral analysis; or epistemology and cognition; or religion, ethics, and moral philosophy. Students are also expected to take at least two 300-level courses, one of which should be AMST 300-399, taken in the junior or senior year. AMST 350, AMST 360, and AMST 370 do not count toward this requirement.

To augment this structure, students will choose a concentration that lends depth and coherence to the major.  Chosen in consultation with the major advisor, a concentration consists of three or more courses pertaining to a topic, for example: 1) race, class, and gender 2) comparative ethnic studies 3) American culture and society 4) Asian American Studies 5) Latinx Studies. Students may also construct their own concentration.

Students are encouraged to explore the diversity of American culture and the many ways to interpret it. A list of courses that count toward the major is also included as a separate section in the catalog. Most courses at the College that are primarily U.S.-focused in content may be applied to the American Studies major: if a course isn’t listed and seems eligible for credit, students should consult with the department chair. American Studies majors are encouraged to take as part of, or in addition to, their major courses, surveys of American history, literature, and art (for example, HIST 203, HIST 204, ENG 262, ENG 266, ARTH 231) and a course on the U.S. Constitution and American political thought (for example, POL1 247). In addition, students are urged to take one or more courses outside the major that explore the theory and methods of knowledge creation and production (for example, ECON 103/SOC 190, PHIL 345).

Honors in American Studies

The only route to honors in the major is writing a thesis and passing an oral examination. To be admitted to the thesis program, a student must have a grade point average of at least 3.5 in all work in the major field above the 100 level; the department may petition on her behalf if her GPA in the major is between 3.0 and 3.5. Interested students should apply to the chair in the spring of the junior year.

Courses for Credit Toward the American Studies Major

The following is a list of courses that may be included in an American Studies major. If students have questions about whether a course not listed here can count toward the major, or if they would like permission to focus their concentration on a topic studied in more than one department, they should consult the chair.