About the Program
American Studies introduces students to the interdisciplinary study of America as a place, a political and social idea, a set of values and traditions, and a people. The program provides students with the opportunity to examine America through the diversity of its ideas, texts, objects, institutions, practices, and histories as well as the complex social and political relationships that have shaped and continue to shape the world to which they belong. The interdisciplinary emphasis of American Studies allows students to explore the nation’s complexity and the dynamics of its national culture and countless subcultures from multiple vantage points and through multiple media.
The major in American Studies strives toward a balance of flexibility and structure. Students are allowed a great deal of freedom in their course selection within a basic framework of required course types and a declared area of concentration. The flexibility and small size of the major permits undergraduates to devise an interdisciplinary academic program best suited to their individual needs and academic interests. The American Studies major is an attractive and practical second major for students already majoring in English, History, Sociology, or Political Science.
Points of Pride
- With over 130 courses from which to choose, the American Studies major offers self-directed students the chance to integrate theories, practices, and content from over sixteen disciplines on the Purdue campus.
- Founded in 1964, Purdue’s American Studies program is one of the oldest in the country. Affiliated faculty members from over ten departments and programs share a focus and commitment to the American Studies program and its students.
- Purdue American Studies has a strong international presence: four current faculty have held Fulbright Scholarships (from Germany to the Philippines) and the program has an ongoing partnership with the American Studies program at East China Normal University in Shanghai, China.
Summary of Program Requirements
The Summary of Program Requirements for American Studies is a comprehensive list of those categories which a student must fulfill in order to earn their degree. Unlike the full Detailed Program Requirements listed below, complete lists of selectives for any given category are not shown. These summaries are intended to be printer-friendly and less expansive in detail.
Detailed Program Requirements
Please see below for detailed program requirements and possible selective fulfillments.
AMST-BA
AMST
120 Credits
Students must earn a “C-” or better in a course in order for it to count towards the major.