Earn your BA in American Studies
What exactly is America—and how has American-ness shaped folk and popular culture, political life, media and the environment, social movements, and global economics? As the 2020 census makes clear, the United States is becoming increasingly ethnically and racially diverse. American Studies provides students with an opportunity to develop fresh, incisive interpretations of America’s multifaceted past and present, while preparing them for the future as deft critical thinkers and creative problem-solvers.
Whether by exploring the invention of the 40-hour workweek, the summer of love, the quagmires of U.S. imperialism, assimilation and food cultures, or national parks and Indigenous and environmental cultures, American Studies expands the sources through which students interpret core tenets – including equality, justice and the pursuit of happiness. Classes tend to be dynamic and student-centered, emphasizing hands-on social and cultural analysis. Students visit museums and archives, explore nature sites, stream media, and design projects with faculty mentorship.
The Bachelor of Arts in American Studies provides broad training in cultural analysis and communication. Students take courses that make sense of the contemporary world, both nationally and internationally, using a variety of approaches to the study of culture, including film, the digital humanities, art, theater, and literature. Faculty members have particular strengths in racial and ethnic studies, gender, sport studies, journalism, American literature, history, and American popular culture.
Many of our students are double majors, pairing American Studies with Communication Studies, Enterprise Leadership, Journalism, Political Science, and other fields. Majors in American studies take their critical thinking and problem-solving skills into an array of professions and endeavors, including museums and national parks, consulting and marketing, museums and national parks, teaching and education, sports management, business, and community leadership.
Requirements
The Bachelor of Arts with a major in American studies requires a minimum of 120 semester hours, including at least 33 semester hours of work for the major. Students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.00 in all courses for the major and in all UI courses for the major. They also must complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences GE CLAS Core. At least 24 semester hours of credit for the major must be earned at the University of Iowa.
The major stresses broad training in cultural analysis and communication. American studies students may arrange internships (1-3 semester hours) for credit toward their major through the University's Pomerantz Career Center.
Shortly after declaring the major, students should meet with their faculty advisor to explore the range of coursework available and to begin shaping a plan of study. By the second semester in the major, students and their advisor should have agreed upon a plan of study for completing the requirements for the major.
Coursework requirements overview
| Title | Hours |
|---|---|
| Introductory courses | 12 |
| One additional American Studies course numbered 2000 or above | 3 |
| One additional American Studies course numbered 3000 or above | 3 |
| Five additional American Studies courses | 15 |
| Total Hours | 33 |
Learning outcomes
- Deeper knowledge and critical understanding of American history, cultures, and society
- Interpret a range of sources and to integrate those sources into a persuasive argument about American culture
- Explain one’s own perspective on American identity and to place that identity in the diverse, global context of our time
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