AMST 490 - American Studies Senior Seminar 3 hours

A seminar course required as a culminating experience prior to graduating for all seniors majoring in American Studies. The seminar enables students to practice the various theories and methods for the academic study of the American experience. The goals of the seminar are to help students attain information and conceptual tools needed for graduate work in American Studies, and to assess the achievement of the learning goals for the undergraduate major. To accomplish the first goal, students become familiar with the field of American Studies by reading and discussing a major work chosen by the instructor. To assess achievement of learning goals for the undergraduate major, students contribute to the field’s literature by conducting original research on a topic of relevance to American Studies and composing a substantial paper on that topic. Prerequisite: junior standing.