{"id":1348,"date":"2013-07-24T07:03:15","date_gmt":"2013-07-24T11:03:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/catalog-2013-2014\/ais\/americanstudies\/"},"modified":"2015-11-17T12:16:14","modified_gmt":"2015-11-17T17:16:14","slug":"americanstudies","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/catalog-2015-2016\/sshgs\/americanstudies\/","title":{"rendered":"American Studies (B.A.)"},"content":{"rendered":"
The American Studies major encourages exploration of the character of the United States as a unique multicultural mosaic functioning within an emerging global order. The program bridges many disciplines as it focuses on the various expressions of American society contained in its history, art, and literature. Through an analysis of its political and social development, students gain insights into the national dynamic; through inquiry and debate students gain a perspective to evaluate the nation\u2019s actions and beliefs, historically and culturally; and through development of critical research and writing methods, which can include internships, undergraduate publishing, and study abroad opportunities, students develop professional skills in reasoning and composition that continue with them in their professional and personal lives.<\/p>\n
Students majoring in American Studies receive a solid grounding in American culture in history to better understand its evolution; in political structure to better recognize the forces and instruments of change; in literature to experience American society from varied perspectives; and in the pluralism of our society, with particular attention to race, gender, and ethnicity. Course clusters and sequences exist in women\u2019s studies, African American studies, international outlooks, and social pluralism. Students also encounter course work relating to each of the following themes: America\u2019s role in the world, American regionalism, and American artistic expression. Inherent in the American Studies major is the recognition of the nation\u2019s developing response to the challenges and opportunities of an ever-expanding global commitment.<\/p>\n
It is apparent, therefore, that American Studies graduates, having gained appreciation and comprehension of the changing global context, will enjoy increasing career choices as the demand for Americanists and interdisciplinary skill sets grows. Additionally, the major\u2019s liberal arts emphasis on thinking, analyzing, evaluating, and communicating provides excellent preparation for both career entry and graduate study. American Studies graduates find employment in a wide\u00a0variety of fields, including education, communications, publishing, and historic preservation, as well as in museums and archives. Advanced degrees are most often pursued in law, business, museum studies and American studies.<\/p>\n
The American Studies major leads to the B.A. degree, and is offered through the Salameno School of Humanities and Global Studies.<\/p>\n
A minor is not available.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Goal 1: <\/strong>Majors who graduate from the American studies program at Ramapo College should understand American society and culture from an interdisciplinary perspective.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Outcome 1: <\/strong>Demonstrate knowledge of the content, themes, and issues within traditional academic disciplines such as history, literature, political science, and art history.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Outcome 2: <\/strong>Demonstrate knowledge of the topics, methods, and history of the interdisciplinary field of American Studies.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Outcome 3: <\/strong>Demonstrate knowledge of the importance of race, class, ethnicity, gender, and nation in American history and culture.<\/p>\n Goal 2: <\/strong>Majors who graduate from the American studies program at Ramapo College should understand standard practices in academic research and writing.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Outcome 1: <\/strong>Evaluate and analyze primary and secondary sources relevant to American studies.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Outcome 2: <\/strong>As specific learning outcomes for this goal, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of various primary source databases and disciplinary bibliographic databases appropriate for research in American Studies.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Outcome 3: <\/strong>Write clear, reasoned, and supported arguments using correct formal documentation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/p>\n\n
AMERICAN STUDIES MAJOR<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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\nFOUNDATIONS II AND<\/strong>
\nINTERMEDIATE I OR<\/strong>
\nPROFICIENCY TEST
\n(SEE SSHGS WORLD LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT<\/a>)<\/li>\n