American Studies
College of Letters and Science
- Bachelor of Arts
Does the complexity of American culture fascinate you? The American studies major uses many lenses to understand the complicated, messy and diverse lives of people in the United States and beyond. As an interdisciplinary department, the major pulls from several disciplines — history, literature, environmental science, food science, sociology — to explore U.S. culture.
Major Requirements
As an American studies major, you will begin with lower division course work in ethnic and cultural studies, history and literature as well as introductory courses in American studies. At the upper division level, you will take seven in-depth classes. Small group seminars on key works in culture studies prepare you to pull together what you have learned in other classes. Advanced work in at least two other departments or programs allows you to emphasize a period, a problem or a subject tailored to your personal educational goals. You may choose to undertake an individual project or thesis in your senior year.
Contact Information
Careers
- Museum Curator
- Teacher
- Journalist
- Public Relations
- Policy Analyst
Graduate Study
- American Studies
- History
- Popular Culture
- Cultural Studies
- Folklore
Alumni Employers
- State of California
- Blue Shield of California
- Higher education
- Consulting services
- K-12 school districts
Related Degrees
Your course roadmap
Find the detailed course requirements for your program and map out your path to graduation.
The faculty you will work with
Our undergraduates work directly with our faculty through research projects and labs.
Global learning programs
Expand your horizons by studying abroad or pursuing global learning on campus.
Undergraduate research
Get hands on with your interests. Participate in one of our hundreds of research opportunities.
What can I do with my American studies major?
American studies majors turn passions into professions.