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American Studies
Overview
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The American Studies program at the College of Staten Island is designed to give students a comprehensive understanding of U.S. culture and society. The courses allow exploration of the diversity of the American experience from a variety of perspectives and disciplines. American Studies courses draw on the talents of Americanists in many academic departments, while emphasizing history, literature, the arts, politics, and geography. Students build expertise in a rich range of subject matter, methods, and types of materials. The program encourages students to explore courses on relevant topics, no matter where they may be found in the College Catalog. Students at the College of Staten Island may pursue a major or minor in American Studies. Whichever they choose, they will find American Studies an enlightening and enriching experience that will help them understand this country, as well as its place in the world. If they have already taken college courses in U.S. literature or history, they will find that they have already completed a portion of the program's requirements. Whether selected as a major or minor, the American Studies program will provide a solid foundation for graduate study in the liberal arts or professional programs. American Studies courses will help enrich and broaden the college experience.
Career Professional Development Activities
Students are encouraged to complete the following milestones as part of their preparation for future careers or advanced education. A member of your Success Team can help you schedule these activities at the appropriate times to keep you on track for both academic and professional success.
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Requirements
In Residence at the College of Staten Island
Liberal Arts and Sciences Content Courses
- 0682881
OR 0680811
Students who enter the College with fewer than six credits are required to complete the non-credit College Life Unit Experience Program (CLUE) or complete a one-credit orientation course (SPD 101: Issues in College Life, or SKO 100: SEEK Freshman Orientation.) Students are expected to complete this requirement during their first semester or prior to the completion of 12 equated credits.
To satisfy this requirement students must:
Choose one of the following:
Successfully complete a one-credit freshman orientation course: SPD 101: Issues in College Life or SKO 100: SEEK Freshman Orientation (open only to SEEK students)
OR
Complete the five components of the non-credit College Life Unit Experiences (CLUE) program, which include: attendance at a general orientation session on such topics as the purposes of higher education, an overview of College policies and services, and an appreciation of diversity. Students should attend the orientation session prior to the beginning of classes.
ANDAttend four CLUE-certified events: two Personal Growth Experiences and two Co-curricular Experiences. Personal Growth topics include study skills, career development, self-development, substance abuse, and pluralism. Co-curricular Experiences include events offered in conjunction with the scholarly, cultural, and civic programs presented regularly at the College.
Any 112-level language is recommended.
STEM courses with the Life and Physical Sciences (LP) and Scientific World (SW) requirement designation may satisfy only one Common Core area.
Any 300-level or above course in foreign literature or equivalent courses in other languages will satisfy this requirement. Some courses require reading knowledge of the language; others allow students without knowledge of the language to read the works in English translation.
If the 114-level language requirement has been met through testing or exemption, an additional TALA or social science course must be substituted.
Students must complete at least six credits in courses at the 200 level or higher.
Social Scientific Analysis (Social Science) and Textual, Aesthetic, and Linguistic Analysis (TALA) may also fulfill Contemporary World or Pluralism and Diversity.
A range of 39-43 credits are required.
- 0613791
AND 0614081
- 0641581
- 0641591
- 0641741
OR 0641742 - 0641771
- 0652072
OR 0652071 - 0652082
OR 0652081 - 0613911
OR 0613912 - 0613941
OR 0613942 - 0652002
OR 0652001 - 0647021
OR 0647022 - 0614032
- 0651981
- 1144111
- 1090202
OR 1090201
In addition to AMS 311, complete two AMS courses at the 300-level or above
- 1093041
OR 1093042
OR 1093043 - 1300431
OR 1300432
OR 1300434 - 0613851
OR 0613852 - 0671412
OR 0671411 - 0613322
OR 0613321 - 0613881
- 0613891
- 1514211
OR 1514212
OR 1514213 - 0647012
OR 0647011 - 0613911
- 0613921
- 0613941
OR 0613942 - 1285841
OR 1285842
OR 1285843 - 0624202
OR 0624201 - 0613961
- 0613981
OR 0613982 - 0613991
OR 0613992 - 0614001
- 0614011
- 0614021
- 0614031
OR 0614032 - 0614041
- 0614051
OR 0614052 - 1287632
OR 1287631 - 1285131
OR 1285132
OR 1285133 - 1093072
OR 1093074
OR 1093071 - 0614071
OR 0614072 - 1247721
OR 1247711
OR 1247731 - 0652582
OR 0652581 - 1557164
OR 1557161
OR 1557163
OR 1557162
OR 1557165 - 1285272
OR 1285271
OR 1285273 - 0652002
OR 0652001
- 0616721
- 0615001
- 0623921
- 0646441
- 0654921
- 0655801
- 0683271
Demonstration of proficiency in a foreign language through the Intermediate level 213 or above
Graduating American Studies majors may apply for graduation with honors in AMS. To graduate with honors a student must have:
Fulfilled the requirements for the AMS major
Earned a 3.5 grade point average or better in AMS courses
Been recommended for honors by the AMS Honors Committee. To be recommended a student must have submitted a proposal for an honors thesis and have completed this thesis to the satisfaction of the Honors Committee.
The honors thesis should be a substantial research paper supervised by a committee of two AMS faculty members. One member of this committee will be the primary supervisor with whom the student will register for up to eight credits of independent study. Candidates should ask an AMS faculty member of their choosing to be their primary supervisor. The primary supervisor and the program coordinator will appoint the other member of the candidate’s committee in consultation with the candidate. The thesis submitted need not be a new work; it can be an extension of a paper previously submitted in a course. Theses submitted to the Honors Committee chair must have the signature of both members of the candidate’s committee on the title page.
Students planning to apply for graduation with honors must submit a one-page proposal for their Honors thesis, signed by the members of their committee, to the AMS Honors Committee in the final semester of their junior year. Honors thesis for majors graduating in January must be submitted to the AMS coordinator by November 20 for majors graduating in June or by April 1 for majors graduating in August.