The American Studies degree is a special, dynamic interdisciplinary program designed to give students a critical understanding of American society and culture. Through select courses in American history, American literature, and political science (as well as other key courses such as Sociology of Social Problems, the History of Christianity in America, and Christianity and Media), the American Studies major gains valuable theoretical and practical knowledge concerning how Americans think and act. Such preparation affords the major a wide variety of career and graduate school paths, ranging from politics and law to non-profit and advocacy work. Our interdisciplinary program’s overarching focus on urban ministries further enhances the student’s preparation along these lines as does our emphasis on becoming “integrators for Christ.” Here, we take the popular notion of “community development” to the next step: that is, we link any attempt to improve society to the hope and healing found only in Christ. Though some of the courses for the American Studies major are mandatory, there is still room for individualized focus.
Core Curriculum
First Year Experience, Choose 1 (1 Credit)
Communication, Choose 1 (3 Credits)
Required
Fine Arts, Choose 1 (3 Credits)
Required
| HIST-1385 | Western Civ in a Global Context Since 1517 | 3 |
Math, Choose 1 (3 Credits)
| - | Any 1000-level math course 1310 or higher | 3 |
Required
| PSYC-2310 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| BIOL-1310 | Scientific Inquiry in a Living World | 3 |
| PHSC-1430 | Scientific Inquiry in a Physical World | 4 |
| PHSC-1431 | Scientific Inquiry in a Physical World Lab | 0 |
Civic Awareness (3 Credits)
| PLSC-2310 | American National Government | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 44 |
Major Requirements
American Literature Focus: (3 Credits)
American Civic Awareness Focus: (6 Credits)
American History Focus: (12 Credits)
Choose 4 classes from the following:
American Politics Focus: (9 Credits)
Choose two classes from the following:
Language Requirements: (12 Credits)
| - | Choose from ASLA, FREN, GERM, GREK, HEBR, and SPAN courses. (Spanish is recommended) | 12 |
Students may take 2 different languages of 6 hours each or the full 12 hours in one language.
Interdisciplinary Studies Core: (9 Credits)
| INTD-2300 | Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies | 3 |
| INTD-3320 | Interdisciplinary Studies Junior Seminar | 3 |
| INTD-4320 | Interdisciplinary Studies Senior Seminar | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 51 |
Major Electives
Choose 4 classes from the following:
Note: COMM-2330 Argumentation and PHIL-2300 Introduction to Philosophy are recommended for pre-law students.
| Total Free Elective Requirements |
14 |
| Total Degree Requirements |
121 |
Freshman Year - Fall
Freshman Year - Spring
Fine Arts Choice: (3 Credits)
Required
| - | Chapel and CEVT | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Sophomore Year - Fall
| CHST-1302 | Integrating a Biblical Worldview | 3 |
| INTD-2300 | Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies | 3 |
| ENGL-2330 | American Literature to 1865 | 3 |
| - | Language course 1 | 3 |
American Civic focus: (take 1) (3 Credits)
Required
| - | Chapel and CEVT | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Sophomore Year - Spring
COMM Choice: (3 Credits)
Required
| PSYC-2310 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| ENGL-2340 | American Literature Since 1865 | 3 |
| - | Language course 2 | 3 |
American Civics Focus: (Choose 1 of whichever 2 not already taken) (3 Credits)
Required
| - | Chapel and CEVT | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Junior Year - Fall
| INTD-3320 | Interdisciplinary Studies Junior Seminar | 3 |
| PLSC-3320 | State and Local Government | 3 |
| - | Language course 3 | 3 |
American Civics Focus: (Take 1 whichever course not already taken) (3 Credits)
Required
| - | American History Choice (1) | 3 |
| - | Chapel | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Junior Year - Spring
| - | Language course 4 | 3 |
| - | American History Choice (2) | 3 |
| - | American History Choice (3) | 3 |
| - | American Political Science Choice (1) | 3 |
| - | American Elective (1) | 3 |
| - | Chapel | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Senior Year - Fall
| - | American History Choice (4) | 3 |
| - | American Political Science Choice (2) | 3 |
| - | American Electives (2) | 3 |
| - | American Elective (3) | 3 |
| - | Elective (3 credits) | 4 |
| - | Chapel | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Senior Year - Spring
| INTD-4320 | Interdisciplinary Studies Senior Seminar | 3 |
| - | American Elective | 3 |
| - | Electives | 9 |
| - | Chapel | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Interdisciplinary - American Studies Mission Statement
The purpose of the Bachelor of Arts in American Studies is a special Interdisciplinary studies program combining the disciplines of English Literature, History, and Political Science to focus on American Issues. In keeping with the institution’s Statement of Purpose, this special Interdisciplinary major seeks to:
- Prepare students to become better-contributing members of society by educating the whole person through an integration of academic discipline, a Christian lifestyle, and an enriched cultural experience.
- Present distinctive, innovative programs which attract and meet the needs of both traditional and non-traditional students.
Interdisciplinary Studies Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)
- Exhibit a deep sense of identity as an interdisciplinarian (including the ability to relate one’s interdisciplinarity to others and to link one’s “calling” as an integrator to a distinct career preparedness).
- Demonstrate an understanding of the language and concepts of interdisciplinarity.
- Demonstrate integrative skills (e.g., synthesis, conceptual and methodological blending, holistic processing, contextualization, cognitive-affective learning, interdisciplinary research, and the integration of faith and learning).
- Exhibit strong communication skills both orally and in written form and where a distinct Interdisciplinary voice Is attained.
- Engage in independent learning involving the integration of disciplines and the deepening of interdisciplinary identity.