American Culture
- 763-0031
- Supervised by the interdepartmental Committee for the Program in American
Culture
- Professor George Sanchez, Director
May be elected as an area concentration program
Professors James H. McIntosh (American Culture, English), Alan
Wald (American Culture, English)
Associate Professors Frances Aparicio (American Culture and Spanish),
June Howard (American Culture, English, Women's Studies), George Sanchez
(American Culture, History), Steve Sumida (American Culture, English)
Assistant Professors Betty Bell (American Culture, English, Women's
Studies), John Gonzalez (American Culture, English), Maria Montoya (American
Culture, History), Barbara Ryan (American Culture), David Scobey (American
Culture, History)
Lecturers Matthew Countryman (Afroamerican Studies, History),
Kristen Haas (American Culture), Peg Kusnerz (American Culture, School of
Art), Gail Nomura (American Culture, Residential College), Margarita de
la Vega-Hurtado (American Culture, Film/Video, Latina/Latino Studies)
American Culture
May be elected as an area concentration program
The Program in American Culture exposes students to the interdisciplinary
study of U.S. society and culture. Our courses integrate a rich array of
materials, themes, and approaches from many fields: not only historical
and literary study, but also visual studies, musicology, film and media,
anthropology, and others. The curriculum of the Program emphasizes the multicultural
diversity of American society, paying particular attention to ethnic, gender,
and other forms of social difference and inequality. At the same time, it
stresses the importance of studying U.S. nationhood, including Americans'
(sometimes conflicting) ideals and experiences of what it means to be American.
Our courses are designed to explore these issues in both historical and
contemporary settings.
Although the concentration in American Culture offers considerable flexibility
and intellectual diversity, it is also designed to foster a community of
learning among undergraduates. The Program aims to be an interdisciplinary
"village" within the larger College, in which concentrators share
the opportunity for intensive study, conversation, and research about American
society and culture.
Prerequisites: Concentrators must take one of the following prerequisites,
generally by the first term of their Junior Year: American Culture 100 (What
Is An American?), American Culture 201 (American Values), History 160 (U.S.
History Before 1865), or History 161 (U.S. History After 1865).
Concentration Program: Concentrators must take 36 credits in
American Culture or related units (not including the prerequisite); 24 credits
must be at the 300 level or above. There are also several distribution requirements,
designed to expose students to a diversity of topics and disciplines. Concentrators
may not elect more than 9 credits from any single unit outside of American
Culture. They must also elect at least one course on ethnic or racial minorities
and at least one course on women or gender issues in America. (These courses
may also satisfy other requirements listed below.)
In describing the path through which students will generally move through
the concentration in American Culture, it is helpful to divide the curriculum
into three parts: gateway courses, concentration tracks, and upper-level
core courses.
Gateway courses: The Program has a broad array of 200-level courses
through which students may get an initial exposure to American studies.
These "gateway courses" include introductions to ethnic studies,
topical seminars, "periods" courses on particular eras, and AC
201 (American Values). Gateway courses are not primarily surveys, but discussion-based
"modes of thought" courses that model various themes and approaches
to interdisciplinary American studies. Concentrators are required to elect
any two courses between AC 201 and AC 217. (If AC 201 is taken as the prerequisite,
it may not also count for the "gateway" requirement.)
Tracks: Except for students taking the Self-Designed
Option (see below), all American Culture concentrators will select one
of three "tracks" as their area of particular interest. These
have been designed to offer students intellectual focus without sacrificing
breadth of choice. The tracks are (1) Arts, Literature, and Culture; (2)
Ethnic Studies; and (3) Society and Politics. Students are required to take
at least 18 credits in their track (as approved by the Undergraduate Concentration
Advisor); these will normally be at the 300-level or above, but the Concentration
Advisor may approve 200-level courses as track electives too. Track electives
may satisfy other concentration requirements as well. Students must take
at least three and no more than six credits in "cognate" courses
that study the themes of the track in a setting outside the United States.
Each track has certain courses and requirements of its own. (1) Students
electing Arts, Literature, and Culture must take AC 335 (Arts and Popular
Culture In American Life) and at least three credits in either creative
expression or the analysis of non-print media. Other track electives should
study such materials as the visual arts, dance, literature, film, media,
music, and popular culture. (2) Students electing Ethnic Studies must take
AC 399 (Race, Racism, and Ethnicity), at least one 200-level introductory
course in ethnic studies, at least one ethnic history course, and at least
one course focused on women of color. (3) Students electing Society and
Politics must take AC 345 (American Politics and Society) and at least one
course focused on U.S. society before 1945. Other track electives will generally
concern such subjects as communications, historical study, ethnography,
politics, sociology, and economics.
Upper-Level Core Courses: In addition to the particular focus
provided by the tracks, concentrators will come together in their final
two years in a sequence of required seminars. These are designed to enable
students to explore American Studies at a high level of sophistication,
working closely and collectively with core Program faculty. Concentrators
will study the methods and development of American Studies in AC 350 (Approaches
to American Studies), typically in their junior year. In the following year,
they will elect a section of AC 496 or AC 498 (Senior Seminar in American
Culture), intensively studying a topic related to their interests or their
track.
Self-Designed Option: Concentrators
may petition the Undergraduate Education Committee of the Program to design
their own curriculum in place of selecting a track. The proposed plan of
study must be rigorous, well-focused, and grounded in an informed set of
intellectual interests. Students wishing to pursue the Self-Designed Option
should consult with the Undergraduate Concentration Advisor early in their
Junior Year for help in developing their plan of study and petition.
Honors Concentration. Qualified students may enter an Honors
concentration. Students who apply for the Honors program should submit a
150-word statement of intent to the Director, plus a tentative list of proposed
courses. Honors students may petition the Program Undergraduate Education
Committee to elect the self-designed track. A seminar emphasizing methodology
is offered for juniors each winter term (AC 398). Students in this seminar
are required to present a thesis proposal and to select two thesis advisors.
Honors students receive six credits during the senior year for researching
and writing the Honors thesis. Interested students who have a cumulative
grade point average of at least 3.5 should contact the Honors concentration
advisor.
Latino Studies
May be elected as an area concentration program
- (G410 Mason Hall, 764-9934 or 763-0031).
- A component of the Program in American Culture, Latina/Latino Studies
is designed to give students an opportunity to develop cultural competence
on the diverse groups that comprise the U.S. Latino/a populations, that
is, Mexican-Americans or Chicano/as, Puerto Ricans, Cuban-Americans, Central
Americans, and other peoples of Spanish, Indian and African descent. Soon
to become the largest minority group in this country, Latino/as have not
only made contributions to U.S. society with their work, values, cultural
traditions and linguistic heritage, they have also participated in the making
of this country's history. As such, no understanding of the United States
can be complete without accounting for the roles Latinos/as played. On the
other hand, to understand the diverse Latino/a experiences in the United
States, it is essential to have a knowledge of the Latin American cultural,
social, and political context that has fueled Latino/a migration to the
United States. In this sense, the Latina and Latino Studies Program offers
a variety of courses, some focusing on particular national groups, others
based on a particular discipline, and many others organized around specific
comparative topics or issues. Examples of courses in Latina/Latino Studies
include: History of U.S. Latinos, Latinas in the United States, American
Immigration, The Politics of Language and Cultural Identity, Women in Prison,
Schooling and Community, Latino Performance Arts, Latinos in Film, La Latina,
Empowering Latino Families and Communities, Chicano Literature, Migrant
Bodies, Hybrid Texts, Puerto Rican Literatures: The Island and the Mainland,
Cuba and Its Diaspora, and others.
Latina/Latino Studies can be an optional focus for concentrators in
American Culture who opt for the Ethnic Studies Track. It can also be elected
as a concentration program itself.
Concentration Program. An interdisciplinary degree, the Latina/Latino
Studies concentration consists of 30 credits, in addition to pre-requisite
work (7 credits). The objective of this concentration program is to engage
students in a diversity of disciplinary approaches to the study of U.S.
Latino/as as well as to introduce them to the central intellectual questions
and topics that have emerged in this field of inquiry. Given the interdisciplinary
nature of Latino Studies, students interested in pursuing graduate study
in a particular discipline should double major in the respective department
in order to have the needed background to enter graduate school.
Prerequisites to the Concentration. Seven credits of prerequisite
work is required before completing courses for the concentration.
American Culture 212 or 213, Introduction to Latino Studies (3 credits).
Language Requirement. Latina/Latino Studies concentrators must prove
competency in Spanish. They can do this either by enrolling in Spanish 290/American
Culture 224, "Spanish for U.S. Latino/as," (4 credits) or by proving
equivalency at the Spanish 275/276 level. Spanish native speakers who have
enrolled in upper-level Spanish courses and complete them successfully may
have this requirement waived by passing a proficiency interview and having
a waiver form signed.
Required Courses:
- American Culture 312, History of U.S. Latinos
- American Culture 243, "Latinas in the United States" or
three credits on a gender-focused course in Latino Studies.
- One course or three credits in a Latino Studies course that focuses
on race and racialization in the Americas. Courses in other departments
may count with the approval of the advisor.
- Three credits of community-service learning in a Latino context. Courses
may be chosen from among the following: American Culture 310, "Schooling
and Community," Sociology 389-018, "Tutoring Latinos," Psychology
401-001, "Community Practice in Spanish." Students may also complete
this requirement through independent studies or through a combination of
one-credit units of community service learning attached to specific courses.
Electives and Cognates One course each in two of the following
fields:
Latin American culture, history, literature
African American Studies
Asian American Studies
Native American Studies
Additional Electives
The remaining 12 credits can be elected from 300- and 400-level Latino Studies
courses. Courses focusing on U.S. Latinos offered by other departments may
also count toward electives if approved by concentration advisor.
Advising. Students are encouraged to consult with the Director
of the Latina/Latino Studies Program who serves as concentration advisor.
For appointments regarding the concentration program, please call 763-0031.
Undergraduate Committee. Students who wish to consult or petition
the program regarding any requirement should submit a written request addressed
to the Program Undergraduate Committee.
Half-Term Information. Courses are offered normally in half terms
for 3 credits.
Courses in American Culture (Division 315)
Unless otherwise stated, the permission required for the repetition for
credit of specifically designated courses is that of the student's concentration
or BGS advisor.
100. What is an American? (4; 3 in the half-term). (SS).
101. Reading in America, 1776-Present. (4). (Introductory
Composition).
102. First Year Seminar in American Studies. Limited to Freshpersons
and Sophomores. (3). (SS).
170/Hist. 170/UC 170/WS 210. New Worlds: Colonialism and Cultural
Encounters. First-year students only. (4). (Introductory Composition).
201. American Values. (4; 3 in the half-term). (HU).
203(203). Periods in American Culture. (3). (HU). May be repeated
for credit with permission of concentration advisor.
204(203). Themes in American Culture. (3). (HU). May be repeated
for credit with permission of concentration advisor.
205. American Cultures. (3). (HU).
206(203). Themes in American Culture. (3). (SS). May be repeated
for credit with permission of concentration advisor.
207(203). Periods in American Culture. (3). (SS). May be repeated
for credit with permission of concentration advisor.
210. Introduction to Ethnic Studies. (3). (SS). May be repeated
with permission for a total of 6 credits.
211. Introduction to Ethnic Studies. (3). (HU). May be repeated
with permission for a total of 6 credits.
212(211). Introduction to Latino Studies - Social Science. (3).
(SS). (This course meets the Race and Ethnicity Requirement).
213(211). Introduction to Latino Studies - Humanities. (3).
(HU). (This course meets the Race and Ethnicity Requirement).
214. Introduction to Asian American Studies - Social Science. (3).
(SS). (This course meets the Race and Ethnicity Requirement).
215. Introduction to Asian American Studies - Humanities. (3).
(HU). (This course meets the Race and Ethnicity Requirement).
216. Introduction to Native American Studies - Social Science. (3).
(SS). (This course meets the Race and Ethnicity Requirement).
217. Introduction to Native American Studies - Humanities. (3).
(HU). (This course meets the Race and Ethnicity Requirement).
240/WS 240. Introduction to Women's Studies. Open to all undergraduates.
(4; 3 in the half-term). (HU). (This course meets the Race and Ethnicity
Requirement).
243/WS 243. Introduction to Study of Latinas in the U.S. (3).
(HU). (This course meets the Race and Ethnicity Requirement).
260/Hist. 260. Religion in America. Hist. 160 and 161 are
recommended but not required. (3). (HU).
272. Environment and Society. (3). (Excl).
301. Topics in American Culture. (1-3). (Excl). May be repeated
for credit with permission.
302/Soc. 302. Introduction to American Society. (3). (Excl).
304/Soc. 304. American Immigration. (3). (SS).
308. Conflict and Communities. (3). (Excl).
310. Topics in Ethnic Studies. (3). (SS). May be repeated
for credit with permission of advisor.
311. Topics in Ethnic Studies. (3). (HU). May be repeated
for credit with permission of advisor.
312/Hist. 377. History of Latinos in the U.S. (3). (Excl).
(This course meets the Race and Ethnicity Requirement).
314/Hist. 378. History of Asian Americans in the U.S. (4;
3 in the half-term). (Excl).
324/Engl. 381. Asian American Literature. (3). (HU). May be
repeated for a total of six credits.
327/English 387. Latino/Latina Literature of the U.S. (3).
(HU).
328/Engl. 382. Native American Literature. (3; 2 in the half-term).
(HU). May be repeated for a total of six credits.
330/Hist. of Art 330. Art in America: 1492-1825. (3). (HU).
334/Dance 334 (Music). History and Philosophy of Dance in the Twentieth
Century. (3). (Excl).
335. Arts and Culture in American Life. (3). (HU).
336/CAAS 334/Hist. 365. Popular Culture in Contemporary Black America.
(3). (HU).
340/CAAS 340. A History of Blacks in American Film. (3). (Excl).
Laboratory fee ($15) required.
342/Hist. 368/WS 360. History of the Family in the U.S. (3).
(SS).
345. American Politics and Society. (3). (SS).
350. Approaches to American Culture. Amer. Cult. 201, junior
standing, or concentration in American Culture; or permission of instructor.
(3). (Excl).
351. Race and American Cinema. (4). (HU). Laboratory fee approximately
$30.
360/Great Books 350. Great Books of the Founding Fathers. Open
to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. (3). (Excl).
372/Hist. 376. American Technology and Society: Historical Perspectives.
(3). (Excl).
373/Hist. 373. History of the U.S. West. (4; 3 in the half-term).
(HU).
374/Hist. 374. The Politics and Culture of the "Sixties."
(3). (SS).
383. Junior Honors Reading and Thesis. Junior standing and
grade point average of at least 3.0. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT).
389. Reading Course in American Culture. Permission of instructor.
(1-4). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT). May be repeated for credit with permission.
398. Junior Honors Seminar. Permission of a concentration
advisor in American Culture. (3). (Excl).
399(UC 299). Race, Racism, and Ethnicity. (4; 3 in the half-term).
(SS). (This course meets the Race and Ethnicity Requirement).
403/Phil. 403/Rel. 403. American Philosophy. One Philosophy
Introduction. (3). (Excl).
404/Soc. 404. Hispanic-Americans: Social Problems and Social Issues.
Junior or senior standing. (3). (Excl).
406/Engl. 384/CAAS 384. Topics in Caribbean Literature. (3).
(Excl). May be repeated for a total of six credits.
410. Hispanics in the United States. (3). (Excl). May be repeated
for credit with permission.
421/Soc. 423. Social Stratification. (3; 2 in the half-term).
(Excl).
428. Native American Literature.Junior standing or permission
of instructor. (3). (Excl).
430/WS 430. Feminist Thought. Amer. Cult. 240 and one 340-level
WS course, or permission of instructor. (3). (Excl).
489. Senior Essay. Senior concentrators and Amer. Cult. 350.
(3). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT).
490/Film-Video 451. American Film Genres. Junior standing.
(4). (HU). Laboratory fee (approximately $30.00).
493. Honors Readings and Thesis. Senior standing and a grade
point average of at least 3.0. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT).
496. Historical Approaches to American Culture. (3). (Excl).
May be repeated for credit with permission of concentration advisor.
497. American Psychological Patterns. Open to seniors and
graduate students in American Culture; others by permission of instructor.
Courses (preferably more than one) in the psychology of adjustment or dynamic
psychology, or abnormal psychology (psychopathology), or psychology of personality.
(3). (Excl).
498. Literary Approaches to American Culture. (3). (Excl).
May be repeated for credit with permission.
499/Hist. of Art 499. The Arts in American Life. Senior concentrators,
seniors in any Honors curriculum, or graduate students with permission.
(3). (Excl). May be repeated for credit with permission.
Courses in Spanish
224(307)/Spanish 290. Spanish for U.S. Latinos. Basic
knowledge of Spanish language or permission of instructor. (4). (Excl).
This course does not satisfy the language requirement.
Courses in Ojibwa
A full sequence of Ojibwa cannot be guaranteed. Students must consult
with the American Culture Program Office before undertaking Ojibwa to satisfy
the College language requirement.
222. Elementary Ojibwa. Non-LS&A students must have permission
of the American Culture Program Director. (3). (LR).
223. Elementary Ojibwa. Am. Cult. 222 and permission of the
American Culture Program Director. (3). (LR).
322. Intermediate Ojibwa. Am. Cult. 223 and permission of
the American Culture Program Director. (3). (LR).
323. Intermediate Ojibwa. Amer. Cult. 322 and permission of
the American Culture Program Director. (3; 2 in the half-term). (LR).
422. Advanced Ojibwa. Am. Cult. 323 and permission of the
American Culture Program Director. (3). (Excl).
423. Advanced Ojibwa. Am. Cult. 422 and permission of the
American Culture Program Director. (3). (Excl).