http://americanstudies.as.miami.edu
Dept. Codes: AMS
Introduction
The Program in American Studies at the University of Miami fosters the interdisciplinary study of American culture and society, and explores the place of the United States in an increasingly interconnected world. Our faculty come from a wide range of fields, including history, literature, political science, religion, art, philosophy, law, music, ethnic studies, anthropology, architecture, sociology, communications, and education. What unites them is the commitment to examining the United States from multiple perspectives, highlighting the diversity of people, cultures, and experiences that have shaped the past and present United States. The Program places analysis of globalization at its center, and encourages a hemispheric perspective that allows students and faculty to explore interests in the United States, the Caribbean, Latin America, the Pacific Rim, and other border crossings.
Educational Objectives
The undergraduate curriculum in American Studies encourages students to bridge the divide between disciplines by examining specific themes and topics in an engaging, dynamic, interdisciplinary manner. By exposing students to courses that place questions of cultural diversity, regional difference, ethnic and racial identity, gender and sexuality, class dynamics, and popular culture at the forefront of intellectual investigation, the Program in American Studies enables them to situate their own experiences in a wider context. It also exposes them to a multiplicity of perspectives that inform our understanding of the United States and its place in a global society. The Program encourages its majors to study abroad, and faculty members help students plan their curriculum to make that option feasible.
Departmental Honors
American Studies majors with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 in AMS courses and an overall GPA of at least 3.0 may earn departmental honors by completing AMS 505. Candidates for departmental honors are responsible for finding a faculty member to serve as thesis advisor. Students then must complete a thesis proposal of approximately 500 words that must be approved by the thesis advisor and the program director. The format and length of the thesis will vary according to the nature of the project. Students would take AMS 501 in the fall semester of the senior year and AMS 505 in the spring to complete the honors thesis.
Advanced Writing and Communication Requirement
To satisfy the College of Arts & Sciences writing requirement in the discipline, students majoring in American Studies should take at least one English course or one History course related to the American Studies discipline listed as an advanced writing course.
AMS 101. Introduction to American Studies. 3 Credit Hours.
This interdisciplinary course builds analytic skills and critical perspectives for exploring and understanding United States culture and society. Specific focus and content vary by section and semester.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.
AMS 301. Topics in American Studies. 0-3 Credit Hours.
Content varies by semester.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.
AMS 310. The United States in the World. 3 Credit Hours.
This interdisciplinary course explores United States culture in a global framework, with attention to building more sophisticated analytic skills and critical perspectives. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.
AMS 321. Topics in American Studies: History. 3 Credit Hours.
This course explores the field of history (including the study of experiences, texts, and theoretical aspects of individual and cultural pasts) within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.
AMS 322. Topics in American Studies: Literature. 3 Credit Hours.
This course explores the field of literature (including the study of experiences, texts, and theoretical aspects of literary expression) within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.
AMS 323. Topics in American Studies: Politics. 3 Credit Hours.
This course explores the field of politics (including the study of experiences, texts, and theoretical aspects of polity or institutional governance) within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer.
AMS 324. Topics in American Studies: Religion. 3 Credit Hours.
This course explores the field of religion (including the study of experiences, texts, and theoretical aspects of religious beliefs and institutions) within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.
AMS 325. Topics in American Studies: Law. 3 Credit Hours.
This course explores the field of law (including the study of experiences, texts, and theoretical aspects of jurisprudence and legal culture) within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.
AMS 326. Topics in American Studies: Education. 3 Credit Hours.
This course explores the field of education (including the study of experiences, texts, and theoretical aspects of literacies and the education of individuals and communities) within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.
AMS 327. Topics in American Studies: Film. 3 Credit Hours.
This course explores the field of film (including the study of experiences, texts, and theoretical aspects of cinematic expression) within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.
AMS 328. Topics in American Studies: Music. 3 Credit Hours.
This course explores the field of music (including the study of experiences, texts, and theoretical aspects of musical composition and expression) within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.
AMS 329. Topics in American Studies: Art. 3 Credit Hours.
This course explores the field of art (including the study of experiences, texts, and theoretical aspects of aesthetics and creative expression) within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer.
AMS 330. Topics in American Studies: Sociology. 3 Credit Hours.
This course explores the field of sociology (including the study of experiences, texts, and theoretical aspects of human engagements in society) within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.
AMS 331. Topics in American Studies: Geography. 3 Credit Hours.
This course explores the field of geography (including the study of experiences, texts, and theoretical aspects of spatial and regional studies) within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.
AMS 332. Topics in American Studies: Anthropology. 3 Credit Hours.
This course explores the field of anthropology (including the study of experiences, texts, and theoretical aspects of human cultural development) within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.
AMS 333. Topics in American Studies: Environmental Studies. 3 Credit Hours.
This course explores the field of environmental studies (including the study of experiences, texts, and theoretical aspects of environmentalism and sustainability) within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.
AMS 334. Topics in American Studies: Ethnic Studies. 3 Credit Hours.
This course explores the field of ethnic studies (including the study of experiences, texts, and theoretical aspects of racialized ethnic groups) within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.
AMS 335. Topics in American Studies: Women's and Gender Studies. 3 Credit Hours.
This course explores the field of gender studies (including the study of experiences, texts, and theoretical aspects of gender) within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.
AMS 336. Topics in American Studies: LGBTQ Studies. 3 Credit Hours.
This course explores the field of LGBTQ studies (including the study of experiences, texts, and theoretical aspects of LGBTQ individuals and groups) within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.
AMS 337. Topics in American Studies: Cultural Studies. 3 Credit Hours.
This course explores the field of cultural studies (including the study of experiences, texts, and theoretical aspects of culture/cultural groups) within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only.
AMS 338. Topics in American Studies: International Studies. 3 Credit Hours.
This course explores the field of international studies (including the study of experiences, texts, and theoretical elements emerging from international or global arenas) in relation to a U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.
AMS 339. Topics in American Studies: Urban Studies. 3 Credit Hours.
This course explores the field of urban studies (including the study of experiences, texts, and theoretical aspects of urban or city life) within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.
AMS 350. History and Culture of South Florida. 3 Credit Hours.
The history and culture of South Florida from a multidisciplinary perspective.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.
AMS 399. Independent Study. 1-3 Credit Hours.
By arrangement with instructor; content varies.
Components: LEC.
Grading: CNC.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.
AMS 401. Seminar in American Studies. 3 Credit Hours.
Content varies by semester.
Components: SEM.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.
AMS 499. Independent Study. 3 Credit Hours.
By arrangement with instructor; content varies.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer.
AMS 501. Senior Project. 3 Credit Hours.
All majors must complete either an individual research project or an internship at a local cultural or civic institution. Either option must be approved by the program director.
Components: THI.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer.
AMS 505. Honors Thesis. 3 Credit Hours.
American Studies majors with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 in AMS courses and an overall GPA of at least 3.0 may earn departmental honors by completing AMS 505 : honors thesis. Candidates for departmental honors are responsible for finding a faculty member to serve as the thesis advisor. Students would take AMS 501 in the fall semester or the senior year and AMS 505 in the spring to complete the honors thesis.
Components: THI.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer.
