American Studies Major (BA)

American Studies Department | College of Liberal Arts

Program Declaration

At time of admission to the University or by completion of a Major, Minor, Concentration Declaration Form or Inter-College Transfer Form .

Degree Requirements

If this is the student’s only or primary major, the degree requirements below must be completed for graduation. See graduation requirements for more information.

University Requirements

College of Liberal Arts Requirements for Bachelor of Arts

Major Requirements

Complete at least 30 credits from ten courses including one introductory course, two discipline-based survey courses, two methods-intensive courses, one senior capstone, and four electives.

Pass/fail: No more than one course taken pass/fail may be applied toward the major.
Residency: At least five courses for the major must be completed at UMass Boston.

Course Requirements

Required Introductory Course (3 Credits)

AMST 100 American Identities 3 Credit(s)

Discipline-based Survey Courses (6 Credits)

AMST 210 American Society and Culture, 1600-1860 3 Credit(s)
AMST 211 U.S. Society and Culture, 1860-1940 3 Credit(s)

Methods Intensive Courses (6 Credits)

Take two courses from the list below.

AMST 101 Popular Culture in America 3 Credit(s)
AMST 201 Latinos in the US 3 Credit(s)
AMST 203 The Thirties 3 Credit(s)
AMST 204 The Forties 3 Credit(s)
AMST 205 The Fifties 3 Credit(s)
AMST 206 The Sixties 3 Credit(s)
AMST 209 The 1990s 3 Credit(s)
AMST 215L America on Film 3 Credit(s)
AMST 250 U.S. Travel and Tourism 3 Credit(s)
AMST 278L U.S. Documentary Photography 3 Credit(s)
AMST 285 Food in American Culture 3 Credit(s)

Capstone Course (3 Credits)

Take one course from the list below.

AMST 402L American Visual Cultures 3 Credit(s)
AMST 405 The Immigrant Experience 3 Credit(s)
AMST 410 Cultural History of U.S. Media 3 Credit(s)
AMST 430 Music & Amer Lit 3 Credit(s)
AMST 471L The City in American Literature and Culture 3 Credit(s)
AMST 476L Current Issues in Native America 3 Credit(s)

Electives (12 Credits)

Take four additional courses from American Studies. At least three courses must be at the 300-level or higher. One independent study course may be applied toward this requirement.