Program Overview:
The American Studies interdisciplinary major is a unique program designed for students interested in exploring the vast and complex historical, social, and cultural network comprising American culture. Working closely with faculty members who represent an array of academic disciplines, the program allows students to identify and investigate an area of concentration that spans traditional boundaries and methodologies. Students articulate key questions about American practices and institutions and explore the potential futures supported by the foundations of national life. Majors choose careers in not-for-profit social and cultural agencies, as well as in journalism, government, and museum, library, and archives administration. Majors will be well prepared for graduate study in such fields as law, arts administration, public policy, journalism, and also for graduate study in academic disciplines that participate in interdisciplinary inquiry. This major is particularly designed for students who seek knowledge about U.S. cultures and aesthetics; wish to explore questions of democratic aspiration and structural justice; desire intercultural competency; and plan to pursue one of the many careers where in-depth knowledge of American diversity matters.
The American Studies major builds upon the liberal education curriculum required of all students. American Studies requires completion of two semesters of the same foreign language, or demonstrated native competency. American Studies recommends that students take SOC 112 and POS 111 as part of their Liberal Education requirements and highly recommends that students choose a minor. Students must earn a minimum grade of C in every core and concentration course required for the major and the African American Studies and American Studies minors.
Program Contacts:
To email the Department Chairs,
Dr. David Rice, American Studies Program Director
Program Webpage:
American Studies, BA
Program Requirements:
Major in American Studies (42 credits)
Core Courses (16 credits)
| AMS 250 | Introduction to American Studies:Theory/Practice | 4 |
| AMS 251 | Urban American Studies | 4 |
| AMS 494 | Field Experience Seminar | 4 |
| AMS 498 | Senior Seminar | 4 |
| | or | |
| AMS 490 | Directed Readings & Research in American Studies | 4 |
An area of concentration selected from the following: (26 credits)
A minimum of 18 credits in one of the following concentrations and a minimum of three credits in each of the other two concentrations, for a total of 26 credits. Note that specific courses for each concentration and within each category are chosen in consultation with an advisor according to the student’s academic goals. A minimum of three concentration courses, not including AMS 494 and AMS 498, must be interdisciplinary AMS courses. A minimum of three concentration courses must be at the 300-level or above.
American Aesthetics and Cultural Practices
| | or | |
| AMS 211 | Topics:American Aesthetics& Cultural Film | 3 or 4 |
AMS 210: may be repeated with different topics
Additional elective courses in art, communications, drama, literature, music, philosophy, religious studies, sociology, or women’s studies chosen in consultation with advisor.
Diversity and Social Justice
AMS 220: may be repeated with different topics
Additional elective courses in biology, business, communications, criminal justice, environmental affairs, history, literature, philosophy, political science, religious studies, sociology, or women’s studies chosen in consultation with advisor.
Critical Race Studies
AMS 230: may be repeated with different topics
Additional elective courses in communications, history, literature, political science, sociology, or women’s studies chosen in consultation with advisor.
Internship/Field Experiences/Service:
Each American Studies student completes the program by enrolling in the Field Experience Seminar, designed to enable the student to explore his or her interests in post-college career paths by offering a guided internship experience. Our majors have interned at the following places in recent years:
Prevent Child Abuse New York
U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
Various Local Law Firms
The New York State Museum
The Albany Institute of History and Art
The Tri-City Valley Cats Baseball Team
Parsons Center for Child Development
Culminating Academic Experiences:
Required Courses
| AMS 494 | Field Experience Seminar | 4 |
| AMS 498 | Senior Seminar | 4 |
| | or | |
| AMS 490 | Directed Readings & Research in American Studies | 4 |
Professional Accreditation:
The College of Saint Rose, sponsored by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, Albany Province, is chartered by the Board of Regents of New York State. All of its degrees and programs are registered and its professional programs fully approved by the Board of Regents through the New York State Education Department.
The College of Saint Rose is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (267-284-5000) The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. http://www.msche.org/
Career Opportunities and Graduate Study:
Graduates will be prepared for careers in not-for-profit social and cultural agencies, as well as in journalism; government; and museum, library, and archives administration. Recent graduates have gone on to careers with the following organizations:
Saint Catherine's Center for Children
Seaway House
Ulster Mental Health Association
Schenectady City School District
Minor(s):
Complete minors listing
Admissions and Financial Aid Information:
The Undergraduate Admissions Office begins review of Freshman applications each fall in late September for the following Fall. Students are encouraged to submit a complete an application as early as November. The Admissions Team will return a decision on complete applications within just three weeks. The College awards academic scholarships at the same time.
What Makes an Application Complete
- Online or Paper application (fee waived for online applicants!)
- Official High School Transcripts
- Official Transcripts for any College Level Courses
- SAT or ACT scores (See Test Optional FAQ's)
- Letter of Recommendation from a Counselor or Teacher
- Essay or Graded Paper
- Applicants may also apply via the Common Application Online.
- Art applicants are required to complete a portfolio review.
Admissions contact information (telephone number, admissions web pages)
Scholarships and Financial Aid
See Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid section for more information.
The Bottom Line
The total cost of The College of Saint Rose (including tuition, fees, room and board) is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast, and we still award more than $25 million in Saint Rose scholarships, grants and financial aid.
Take a look at our bottom line, and view a cost comparison with a four-year public institution.
More about Financial Aid
Financial Aid is defined as any grant, scholarship, loan, or employment opportunity given with the express purpose of assisting you with education-related expenses to make you education affordable. Financial Aid is awarded on the basis of student need and the availability of funds.
The Admission and Financial Aid teams have designed a Guide to Scholarships and Financial Aid to help prospective students and families get to the bottom line and find that The College of Saint Rose is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast--while maintaining powerful academic opportunities.
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