The American Studies major explores the values of the peoples of the United States and the Americas through cultural expressions—their history, art, folklore, politics, social mores, and literatures.
In American Studies, we emphasize an interdisciplinary perspective: drawing on traditions of thought and action from the humanities and social sciences and exploring diverse peoples, theories, methods, materials, texts, and resources.
The major probes assumptions about “nationalism,” investigates what it means to be “American,” and considers how national identities get expressed.
The interdisciplinary curriculum prepares students to be creative problem-solvers by incorporating many perspectives and using multiple tools for analysis. The variety of courses develops skills in critical thinking, research, writing across the disciplines, and the handling of diverse forms of evidence—skills vital for effective communication and decision-making in many professional contexts.
American Studies offers students opportunities to explore a wealth of careers as educators, historians, lawyers, doctors, politicians, business leaders, policy analysts, government and arts administrators, advocates, writers, editors, and information managers, to name but a few.
At Cabrini College, the American Studies major works especially well with a double-major in History, Political Science, Religious Studies, or English, as well as with majors in the professions of Education, Graphic Design, and Social Work.
The major includes specially designed introductory and upper-level courses taught by faculty committed to the use of wide-ranging and interdisciplinary sources in examining the American experience—the drama and diversity of America's past and present, as well as its values, habits, character, and forms of artistic expression.
Before graduation, students should take two of the following five classes as part of their core requirements: HIS 107, HIS 108, ENG 351, REL 221, or SOC 215.
Students must take HIS 109 Introduction to American Studies, HIS 336 Engaged Ethnography, and HIS 487 Historiography (or a major Capstone course in consultation with department chair). Students must take 18 credits from the list of courses below. At least 12 credits must be at the 300 level or above and students must select at least one course from each category.
| Requirements for the major in American Studies* |
| View core curriculum requirements (34-48 credits). |
| Required Courses |
Credits |
| HIS 109 Introduction to American Studies |
3 |
| HIS 336 Engaged Ethnography |
3 |
HIS 487 Historiography
or a major Capstone course in consultation with department chair |
3 |
Electives from below list - at least 12 credits at 300-level or above
- at least 3 credits from each category
|
18 |
| Total credits for major |
27 |
Electives
American Institutions
- ENG 216 Folklife Studies
- ENG 335 Images of Women in Literature and Media
- H-PHI/HIS 309 Baseball and the American Tradition
- HIS 307 American Civil War
- HIS 409 American Colonial History
- HIS 410 Twentieth Century US History
- HIS 415 American Military History
- HIS 419 Women and History
- HIS 420 United States Diplomatic History
- REL 214 The Catholic Church in America
- REL 223 Church and State: A U.S. Perspective
- SOC 215 Introduction to Sociology: Race, Class, & Gender
- SOC 302 Race and Ethnic Relations
- SOC 311 Marriage and the Family
- SOW 301 History of Social Policy and Services
- SOW 402 Social Welfare Policy
Cultures of the Americas
- ENG 229 Immigrant Authors: The Literature of Transition
- ENG 351 Nineteenth Century American Literature
- ENG 365 The Beat Movement: Writing and the New Revolution
- HIS 301 & 302 African-American History
- HIS 305 & 306 Latin American History
- LAN 201& 202 Spain and the New World
- H-LAN/SPA 301 Don Quixote and the Art of Imagination (taught in English)
- SPA 303 History of Spanish Civilization (taught in Spanish)
- PHI 220 American Political Philosophy
- PHI 231 Latin American Philosophy
- REL 306 African-American Religions
- REL 312 Sects and Cults in American Religion
- SPA 304 History of Latin-American Civilization (in Spanish)
- SPA 307 308 Survey of Latin-American Literature I and II (in Spanish)
- SOW/PSY 250 Multiculturalism in the Helping Professions
American Stories, Beliefs, & Thoughts
- ENG 351 Nineteenth Century American Literature
- FNA 206 American Music
- FNA 305 American Art History
- H-PHI 310 American Philosophy
- POL 213 Constitution of the US
- POL 316 The American Presidency
- POL 317 American Political Parties
- POL 318 The Federal Judiciary
- REL 111 Faith and Justice
- REL 215 Religion and the Civil Rights Movement
- REL 221 Religion in America
- REL 225 Catholic Social Thought and Practice
- REL 305 Contemporary Issues in American Catholicism
- REL 318 Thomas Merton: Man, Mystic. Prophet
- REL 319 Spirituality of Mother Cabrini
- SOC 330 Sociology of Religion
- SOW 240 Child Welfare
Everyday Arts and Labor
- ENG 219 Contemporary African American Authors
- ENG 254 African American Literature
- ENG 336 African-American Women Writers
- ENG 339 Toni Morrison
- ENG 350 Early American Literature
- ENG 352 Modern American Literature
- ENG 353 Contemporary American Literature
- FNA 208 Jazz and Its Heritage
- FNA 209 Art of Philadelphia
- HIS 414 Modern American Popular Culture
- HIS 335 Spike Lee’s America
- HIS 205 History of Art & Protest
- REL 220 Religious Folklife
- SOW 201 Introduction to Social Work
*There is no minor in American Studies.
Special Requirements
A QPA of 2.33 (C+) is required in American Studies courses for the major.