Major

Courses

Senior Experience

Note on electives

Academic Standards

Test-Out and Credit-by-Exam Policy

Collaborative Degree Program

American Studies Major (BA or BS)
Consists of a minimum of 40 credits. Note that prerequisites for some courses may increase the number of credits needed. Complete ONE option below.

A. America Studies Option

1. Foundation requirements, 15 credits. Take 5 of these 6 courses: English 213, 214; History 176, 177; Music 105; Political Science 101.

2. Core requirements, 12 credits. Take 2 courses in each category.

1. Institutions: Economics 311, 315, 328*; Political Science 310, 320, 391; Sociology 300, 327, 328*.

2. Culture: Computer Information Systems 300; English 313a, 313b, 360; History 386, 387, 388, 395+.

*May not take both Econ 328 and Soc 328.
+May be repeated with appropriate American Studies subtitles (9 credits maximum).

3. Electives, 12 credits from the list below.  You may NOT count courses for both categories 2 and 3.

1. Computer Information Systems 300.

2. Economics 311, 315, 328*, 374.

3. English 313a, 313b, 320, 329, 360.

4. History 280, 284, 285, 292, 302, 377, 378, 380, 381, 384, 386, 387, 388, 393, 395+, 396+.

5. Political Science 306, 307, 308, 310, 315, 316, 317, 320, 322, 330, 331, 333, 334, 341, 383, 391.

6. Religious Studies 302, 311, 316.

7. Sociology 300, 327, 328*, 364, 366, 368.

8. Art 390, 391.

9. Dance 352.

10. Music 329.

11. Theatre 361, 362.

12. American Studies 395, 397.

13. Anthropology 339.

*May not take both Econ 328 and Soc 328.
+May be repeated with appropriate American Studies subtitles (9 credits maximum).

4. Electives. To meet the 40 credit upper-level requirement and the 120 credit minimum for graduation, you may select courses from any area that will add to your educational goals.

5. Senior Experience. See below.

B.    Working in a Global Economy Option

1. Fundamental requirements, 18-19 credits. Take at least one course from four of the six areas below. Take remaining courses from any area.

1. Accounting 210; Business 320; Econ 210.

2. Computer Information Systems 101, 102 (concurrent enrollment 101), 300.

3. Communication 240, 280.

4. English 250, 253, 254, 351.

5. Philosophy 121.

6. Statistics, 4 credits.  Economics 310 or Math 355 or Psychology 300 or Sociology 351.

2. Area of emphasis, 21 credits. Take at least three courses from one of a-d below. Take remaining courses from a-e below.

1. International: History 102; Business 339; Economics 362, 365, 367; English 378; Geography 110, 113, 300, 327; History 316, 317, 348, 359, 363, 370, 373, 396+; Political Science 160, 180, 361, 362, 370, 371, 376, 383, 385; Psychology 320, 322; Sociology 370.

2. Language: At least 9 credits in one language beyond the 212 level.

3. Government: Political Science 202, 242, 250, 354, 356, 358.

4. Psychology/sociology: Psychology 260, 301, 345, 351, 385; Sociology 230, 308, 310, 327, 368.

5. Internship: 1-3 cr. American Studies 397.

3. Electives.  To meet the 40 credit upper-level requirement and the 120 credit minimum for graduation, you may select courses from any area that will add to your educational goals.

4. Senior experience:  See below.

Senior Experience, 1 credit: American Studies 399, required during the final 30 credits before graduation. This capstone course gives you the opportunity to apply expertise learned in the major and encourages you to become more actively involved in the major.  Select 1 or 2 below.

1. This independent study involves a significant research paper or similar product, supervised and approved by a faculty member in one discipline represented in the major. Topic should provide continuity and bring integrated closure to the major.

2. This independent study involves a project approved and supervised by the American studies coordinator, such as a community-based project that provides practical application of and reflection upon your coursework.

Academic Standards
To graduate with a major in American studies you must have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 in all courses required for the major, including transfer courses, regardless of any declaration of academic bankruptcy. See the section in the catalog entitled Academic Information for the policy on repeating courses.

Test-Out and Credit-by-Exam Policy
You may test-out and/or receive credit-by-exam for all general degree requirement (GDR) courses. To test-out but not receive credit for all other courses in the major, please consult with the American studies coordinator. You may take an exam for credit or test-out only once.

Collaborative Degree Program
Web:  www.uwsp.edu/cls/cdp/index.htm
The American studies major is part of the Collaborative Degree Program where students may attend evening classes at any of several campuses. For more information call 715-295-8900.

Courses in American Studies
AMST 395. Topics in General Studies. 1-3 cr. Subtitle will designate discipline and topic. May repeat under different subtitles for 9 cr max.

AMST 397. Internship in American Studies. 1-3 cr. Participate in supervised work program that you arrange with your advisor at a cooperating organization. Credit determined by advisor and American studies coord. May repeat for 3 cr max.

AMST 399. Independent Study for Senior Experience. 1 cr. Capstone experience for American studies major. Define, devise and pursue individual paper or project integrating disciplines from the major. Individual faculty supervision. Prereq: Cons American studies coord.