American Studies Minor Requirements

What is American Studies?

There are many answers to that question. Fundamentally, American Studies is the interdisciplinary study of American culture and life at the regional, national, and international levels. American Studies is a multi-dimensional hybrid of history, economics, sociology, politics, art, literature, and popular culture.

Requirements

The American Studies minor consists of five courses. Students must take American Studies 501 as early in their careers as possible. In addition, students must take at least one other American Studies course (preferably more), and at least one course concentrating on issues of race, gender, or ethnicity in America (starred [*] courses). No more than two courses of the five may be at the 500 level (departmental prerequisites may be waived for American Studies students at the discretion of the instructor). Students must earn a C- or better in each course and maintain a 2.00 grade-point average in courses taken for the minor.

Because of the range and breadth of possible American studies concentrations, students are urged to see the coordinator and fill out an intent to minor form as soon as they become interested in the minor, preferably by the beginning of their junior year. Students may wish to focus their coursework in the minor around a coherent topic, either chronologically or thematically. Examples include but are not limited to: a specific historical period (for example, the twentieth century); race, ethnicity, gender, or class in America; popular culture; the arts; Native American studies; regional studies; urban, rural, and natural environments; American institutions (education, sports, religion, etc.). Students might also consider concentrating their major work in courses related to American Studies.

At UNH, the American Studies minor is an individualized program of study that allows each student to tailor their courses to their own personal interests and needs. There is no one way to complete the minor.