- Majors, Departments and Programs
- Degree Requirements
- Global Focus
- Certificate Programs
- Honors/Independent Study
- Internships & Student Research
- Graduate Study & Non-Traditional Programs
- Scholarships & Fellowships
- Law, Medicine, Business
- Honors & Distinctions
- Meet the Deans
- Academic Calendar
- Registrar
- Academic Honors
- Class Schedules
- College Catalog
- American Studies
- Africana Studies
- Anthropology
- Arabic Studies
- Art
- Art History and Architectural Studies
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Biological Sciences
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Classics
- Cognitive Science
- College Courses
- Computer Science
- Dance
- East Asian Languages and Cultures
- Economics
- Education
- English
- Environmental Studies
- Film Studies
- French
- Freshman Seminars 2012
- Gender and Women′s Studies
- German Studies
- Government and International Relations
- Hispanic Studies
- History
- Human Development
- Italian
- Linguistics (Minor)
- Mathematics
- Music
- Philosophy
- Physical Education
- Physics, Astronomy and Geophysics
- Psychology
- Religious Studies
- Slavic Studies
- Sociology
- Theater
- Transcripts
- Certifications
- Student Information Changes
- Replacement Diploma
- Academic Regulations
- FERPA
- Staff
American Studies
Professor Stock, director
Affiliated Faculty:
Professors: Bhatia (Human Development), Borrelli (Government), Cole (Anthropology), Dorfman (Dance), Dunlap (Human Development), Rivkin (English), Segrest (Gender & Women’s Studies), Steiner (Art History, Anthropology), Wilson (History); Associate Professors: Canton (History), Downs (History), Flores (Sociology), Fredricks (Human Development), Garofalo (History), Grande (Education), Kim (Religious Studies), Manion (History) (part time), Martin (Film Studies), Pelletier (Art), Uddin (Religious Studies), Wilson (Music); Assistant Professor: Ammirati (English), Bedasse (History), Gonzalez-Rice (Art History), Graesch (Anthropology), Harris (Sociology), Jafar (Sociology)
The Major in American Studies
American Studies is an interdisciplinary approach to the study of society and culture in the United States, which traces its roots in the academy to the early twentieth century. At Connecticut College, the program has three related emphases: the study of race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, and the critical examination of the role of the United States in the world. The American Studies major is affiliated with Unity House, the multicultural center at Connecticut College, the Center for the Comparative Study of Race and Ethnicity (CCSRE), the Women’s Center, and the LGBTQ Center.
The major consists of at least eleven courses, including four required courses. All courses in American Studies should be at the 200 level or higher with certain 100-level classes as listed below or as permitted by adviser or director.
- American Studies 201A, 201D, or 201S;
- One course in the study of race and ethnicity in the United States. Students may select American Studies 206; Art History 356; Education 223; English 242, 337; History 253, 309; Religion 252; Sociology 203, 223; or a different course as approved by the adviser or director;
- One course in the study of gender and sexuality. Students may select American Studies 270; Education 316; English 337; Film Studies 311; Gender and Women’s Studies 103, 203, 224; Government 250; History 217, 341; Sociology 210, 212, 213; or a different course as approved by the adviser or director;
- American Studies 465, normally taken during the student’s senior year.
Also required are:
- Five courses from a single area of concentration; at the 200 level or higher;
- Two courses that treat the United States in comparative, transnational, hemispheric, or global perspective;
- Thirty hours minimum of service learning, internship, fieldwork, or community service fulfilled under the auspices of a college certificate program, college course, Career Enhancing Life Skills (CELS) internship program, or Office of Volunteers for Community Service (OVCS) community activity.
Advisers: T. Ammirati, M. Borrelli, D. Canton, J. Downs, R. Flores, K. Gonzalez-Rice, D. Kim, J. Manion, C. Stock
The Concentration in Comparative Race and Ethnicity
This concentration explores the formation of racial and ethnic categories and identities over time, across geographic space, and within the cultures of the United States and its borderlands. It examines the political, economic, and social effects of these categories, as they are complicated by the forces of nationality, gender, sexuality, and class. It also explores the history of anti-racism and other social movements for freedom.
Among the five classes students must take for the concentration in Comparative Race and Ethnicity are:
American Studies 206, 322; Anthropology 202, 213, 320, 328, 350, 356, 360; Art History 325, 356; Dance 266, 434; English 123, 242, 336, 337, 344, 360, 493H, 494H; Film Studies 311; Government 250, 493A, 494A; Hispanic Studies 224, 324, 329; History 205, 213, 214, 215, 225, 227, 253, 304, 309, 313, 330, 341, 450, 458, 460, 468; Human Development 304, 306, 321, 415; Music 103, 117; Religious Studies 252; Sociology 203, 208, 215, 223, 293, 341, 364, 405, 408; Theater 241. The student may select other courses with permission of adviser or director.
The Concentration in Expressive Arts and Cultural Studies
This concentration explores the ways in which diverse people in the United States have found meaning through literature, the arts, and popular culture. It also examines the ways texts and images have represented American identity both to Americans and to others in this hemisphere and around the world.
Among the five classes students must take for the concentration in Expressive Arts and Cultural Studies are:
Anthropology 229, 305, 350, 356; Art History 217, 231, 236, 240, 245, 258, 261, 263, 273, 325, 326, 327, 340, 356, 493J, 494J, 493P, 494P, 493S, 494S; Dance 145, 266, 434; English 115, 123, 126, 137, 207, 208, 242, 301C, 306A, 306B, 314, 329, 335, 336, 337, 338, 341, 343, 344, 360, 493B, 494B, 493C, 494C, 493H, 494H; Film Studies 101,202, 311, 321, 338, 356, 360, 395W, 493C, 494C; Gender and Women's Studies 356, 418; Hispanic Studies 224, 251, 309, 324; History 304; Music 103, 117, 229; Philosophy 207; Theater 231, 241, 339D. The student may select other courses with permission of adviser or director.
The Concentration in Politics, Society, and Policy
This concentration focuses on the development of social and political theories and policies that have tried to identify difference in human society.
Among the five classes students must take for the concentration in Politics, Society, and Policy are:
American Studies 322, 450, 493A, 494A; Anthropology 202, 234, 350, 360, 382, 402; Economics 247, 255, 307, 326, 401, 402, 409; Education 223, 226, 316; Environmental Studies 258, 259, 260, 263, 326, 493E, 494E, 493G, 494G, 493U, 494U; Gender & Women’s Studies 103, 224; Government 111, 205, 206, 212,214, 215, 226, 228, 231, 250, 251, 252, 258, 260, 262, 284, 304, 326, 352, 493A, 494A, 493G, 494G, 493Y, 494Y, 493Z, 494Z; History 253, 334, 341, 450; Human Development 103, 314, 321, 414, 415; Religious Studies 159, 204, 213, 225, 229, 252, 254, 255, 256, 311, 330, 346; Sociology 203, 208, 209, 212, 213, 215, 216, 223, 227, 293, 364, 405, 408. The student may select other courses with permission of adviser or director.
Courses that treat the United States in Comparative, Transnational, Hemispheric, or Global Perspective
All courses on Latin America or the Caribbean from any Department as well as:
Anthropology 238, 307, 350, 356, 360, 363, 370, 402, 450; Art History 236, 245, 261, 356;
Economics 250, 247, 307, 319; English 137, 241, 314; Environmental Studies 251, 263, 493U, 494U, 493K, 494K; Gender and Women's Studies 103, 203, 224, 235; Government 205, 206, 215, 228, 251, 307, 324, 348, 352, 493G, 494G, 493U, 494U; 493V, 494V; History 203, 217, 250, 253, 309, 324, 325, 334, 416, 448; Human Development 416; Music 108; Psychology 450; Religious Studies 202, 203, 207, 248, 252, 328, 330, 401; Sociology 400; Slavic Studies 251, 260. The student may select other courses with permission of adviser or director.
The Minor in American Studies
The minor consists of American Studies 201A, 201D, or 201S (or English 219 or History 201); one course either in the study of race and ethnicity or the study of gender and sexuality as listed above and at least four other American Studies or cross-listed courses. The four electives must come from a single area of concentration and from at least two different departments.
Learning Goals in the American Studies Major
American Studies is an interdisciplinary approach to the study of society and culture in the United States. Coursework examines three themes in depth: comparative race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, and the role of the United States in the world. Its themes and skills are introduced in its gateway class, AMS 201 and refined in its required senior seminar, AMS 465: Globalization and American Culture since 1945. Coursework, advising, and associated faculty come from Anthropology, Art History, Dance, Economics, English, Film Studies Hispanic Studies, History, Government, Religious Studies, Sociology, and Theater. The American Studies program is also affiliated with the Center for the Comparative Study of Race and Ethnicity and the LBGTQ center. Majors often also gain certificates from PICA, CISLA, or the Museum Studies program.
By the time they graduate, students should be able to:
- Understand the meaning of interdisciplinarity--how various disciplines for example construct the category of evidence.
- Use interdisciplinary methodology to analyze American culture in writing, research, and discussion
- Define major tropes or themes in American life from colonial to the present and identify ways they have changed over time and space.
- Engage in a critical analysis of the United States' changing role in the world.
- Develop an awareness of issues of race, gender, class, ethnicity, sexuality and other forms of identity that contribute to and shape the American experience.
Courses
AMERICAN STUDIES 103 AMERICAN MUSIC This is the same course as Music 103. Refer to the Music listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 117 HISTORY OF JAZZ This is the same course as Music 117. Refer to the Music listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 127 SONGS This is the same course as English 127. Refer to the Literatures in English listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 201A INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN STUDIES A multi-disciplinary approach to the study of American culture and society. Introduces students to the history of the American Studies movement, its current debates, and literature. Readings are organized around two questions or themes: Who is an American? And where is America? Other issues include race, class, gender, sexuality, borderlands, disability studies, citizenship, and transnationalism. This is the same course as English 219.
Open to freshmen, sophomores, and juniors; and to seniors with permission of the instructor. Enrollment limited to 30 students. This course satisfies General Education Area 4. T. Ammirati
AMERICAN STUDIES 201D/201S INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN STUDIES A multi-disciplinary approach to the study of American culture and society. Introduces students to the history of the American Studies movement, its current debates, and literature. Readings are organized around two questions or themes: Who is an American? And where is America? Other issues include race, class, gender, sexuality, borderlands, disability studies, citizenship, and transnationalism. This is the same course as History 201.
Open to freshmen, sophomores, and juniors; and to seniors with permission of the instructor. Enrollment limited to 30 students. This course satisfies General Education Area 7 and is a designated Writing course. J. Downs, C. Stock
AMERICAN STUDIES 203 THE COLONIAL HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA This is the same course as History 203. Refer to the History listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 204 THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY ERA This is the same course as History 204. Refer to the History listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 206 THEORIZING RACE AND ETHNICITY This course employs a comparative approach to introduce students to concepts and theories of race and ethnicity. Case studies from various national contexts are presented to broaden student understanding of the subject beyond the United States. This course may include an optional section that will meet for an additional hour each week to discuss supplemental readings in Spanish. Students participating in the foreign language section will receive one additional credit hour, pass/not passed marking. This is the same course as Comparative Race and Ethnicity 206/History 209.
Enrollment limited to 30 students. This course satisfies General Education Area 7 and is a designated Writing course. L. Garofalo
AMERICAN STUDIES 206f THEORIZING RACE AND ETHNICITY (In Spanish) This optional section will meet for an additional hour each week to discuss supplemental texts in Spanish. Students participating in the foreign language section will receive one additional credit hour, pass/not passed marking. Students electing American Studies 206f must concurrently register for American Studies/Comparative Race and Ethnicity 206/History 209. This is the same course as History 209F. L. Garofalo
AMERICAN STUDIES 207 INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN LITERATURE: THE 19th CENTURY This is the same course as English 207. Refer to the English listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 208 INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN LITERATURE: THE 20th CENTURYAND THE PRESENT This is the same course as English 208. Refer to the English listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 213 NATIVE AMERICAN RELIGIONS This is the same course as Anthropology/Religious Studies 213. Refer to the Religious Studies listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 214 POLITICS AND CULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES, 1890 TO 1945 This is the same course as History 214. Refer to the History listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 215 POLITICS AND CULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES SINCE 1945 This is the same course as Comparative Race and Ethnicity/History 215. Refer to the History listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 217 SAME-SEX SEXUALITY IN WORLD HISTORY This is the same course as Gender and Women′s Studies/History 217. Refer to the History listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 219 VAMPIRES, MIRACLES, GHOSTS, AND GOD(S): THE SUPERNATURAL IN AMERICAN POPULAR CULTURE This is the same course as Anthropology/Religious Studies 219. Refer to the Religious Studies listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 225 AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY 1865-PRESENT This is the same course as Comparative Race and Ethnicity/History 225. Refer to the History listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 227 AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY 1619-1865 This is the same course as Comparative Race and Ethnicity/History 227. Refer to the History listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 242 THE HISTORY AND GENDER IN THE UNITED STATES This is the same course as History/Gender and Women's Studies 242. Refer to the History listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 248 NARRATIVES OF ILLNESS This is the same course as History 248. Refer to the History listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 253 NO HOMELAND IS FREE: CHINESE AMERICAN LITERATURE This is the same course as Comparative Race and Ethnicity/East Asian Studies/English 253. Refer to the East Asian Studies listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 270 HISTORY OF SEXUALITY IN THE U.S. This is the same course as Gender and Women's Studies/History 270. Refer to the History listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 309 THE HISTORY OF SLAVERY AND EMANCIPATION IN THE AMERICAS This is the same course as Gender and Women′s Studies/History 309. Refer to the History listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 319 THE COLD WAR IN THE THIRD WORLD This is the same course as History 319. Refer to the History listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 322 CUBA IN/AND THE AMERICAS An overview of the cultural, social, educational, and political changes in Cuba during the 20th and early 21st centuries, focusing on nationalism and internationalism, the Communist Party, race, gender and sexuality, and US-Cuba relations. This is the same course as Comparative Race and Ethnicity/Education/Gender and Women′s Studies 322.
Open to juniors and seniors. Enrollment limited to 30 students. This course is taught in the SATA Cuba program. M. James
AMERICAN STUDIES 325 ETHNOHISTORY OF MINORITY COMMUNITIES IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND This is the same course as Anthropology 325/History 326. Refer to the Anthropology listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 330 MEDITATIONS ON THE HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN SOUTH This is the same course as Gender and Women's Studies/History 330. Refer to the History listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 334 HISTORICIZING 9/11, INTERNATIONALLY AND LOCALLY This is the same course as History 334. Refer to the History listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 341 CRIME AND PUNISHMENT IN U.S. HISTORY This is the same course as Gender and Women's Studies/History 341. Refer to the History listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 350 EDUCATION AND THE REVOLUTIONARY PROJECT IN LATIN AMERICA This is the same course as Comparative Race and Ethnicity/Education/Gender and Women′s Studies 350. Refer to the Education listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 373 HOME: THE WHY BEHIND THE WAY WE LIVE This is the same course as Art History 373. Refer to the Art History listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 382 URBAN ETHNOARCHAEOLOGY: AN ANTHROPOLOGICAL EXPLORATION OF OBJECTS AND CULTURE IN URBAN AMERICA This is the same course as Anthropology 382. Refer to the Anthropology listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 410 ″DRAG YOU OFF TO MILLEDGEVILLE″: MIND, POWER, AND MENTAL HEALTH This is the same course as Gender and Women′s Studies/History 410. Refer to the Gender and Women′s Studies listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 425 FOOD AND MIGRATION This is the same course as Anthropology 425. Refer to the Anthropology listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 450 LATIN AMERICAN IMMIGRATION AND MIGRATION This is the same course as History 450. Refer to the History listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 454 THE REAGAN REVOLUTION: AMERICAN CONSERVATISM, 1940-1990 This is the same course as History 454. Refer to the History listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 457 NINETEENTH-CENTURY AMERICA This is the same course as History 457. Refer to the History listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 458 SOUTH OF CANADA IS THE MASON-DIXON LINE: THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN THE NORTH, 1925-1975 This is the same course as Comparative Race and Ethnicity/History 458. Refer to the History listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 463 CITY UPON THE HILL: SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY NEW ENGLAND AND AMERICAN IDENTITY This is the same course as History 463. Refer to the History listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 465 GLOBALIZATION AND AMERICAN CULTURE SINCE 1945 An exploration of the impact of increased American economic, cultural, and military presence throughout the world since the end of World War II. This is the same course as History 465.
Prerequisite: Open to senior American Studies majors, and to others with permission of the instructor. Enrollment limited to 16 students. This is a designated Writing course. C. Stock
AMERICAN STUDIES 468 RACE AND SEX IN EARLY AMERICA This is the same course as Gender and Women′s Studies/History 468. Refer to the History listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 476 THE GLOBAL 1960s This is the same course as History 476. Refer to the History listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 493A, 494A CULTURE, POLITICS AND THE ENVIRONMENT This is the same course as Environmental Studies 493G, 494G/Government 493A, 494A. See the Government listing for a course description.
AMERICAN STUDIES 291, 292 INDIVIDUAL STUDY
AMERICAN STUDIES 391, 392 INDIVIDUAL STUDY
AMERICAN STUDIES 491, 492 INDIVIDUAL STUDY
AMERICAN STUDIES 497-498 HONORS STUDY
