Fact Sheet 07: American Studies

Revised June 2007

American Studies

American studies emerged as an academic movement shortly after World War II. With the United States becoming a world leader at a time when growing specialization was fragmenting knowledge and communication, many American scholars felt compelled to integrate information and insights from numerous sources in an effort to understand what was "American" about America.

The American studies program operates on the assumption that all aspects of America's intellectual, artistic, and material culture are valuable sources of information and insights about American civilization. American studies is interdisciplinary in nature because it draws from a number of academic disciplines covering many facets of American civilization to understand American culture.

Career Opportunities

American studies educates you for a wide range of careers. In particular, graduates from our program are prepared for careers in historic preservation, journalism, law, library services, and museums. Many American studies students enter the fields of business management, public administration, and sales. Additional academic study is necessary for careers in some of these areas.

Graduates of the department have found employment with the following organizations:

Chester County Historical Society
Cahners (formerly Chilton Company publishers)
Lincoln Financial Services
Options for Women
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
Philadelphia Inquirer
QVC Network
Scott Paper Company
Shared Medical Systems
Team Defense Project

Graduates of the department have pursued advanced degrees at:

Columbia University
George Washington University School of Law
Pennsylvania State University
University of Delaware
Temple University Law School
University of Pennsylvania

Undergraduate Degree

Bachelor of Arts in American Studies. The American studies program seeks to understand the interrelatedness of the American experience. The program deals with the relationships of ideas and actions, forms and values, and assumptions and aspirations by incorporating material from such academic disciplines as anthropology, art history, history, literature, music history, and material culture.

Minor

The American studies minor is designed for those who wish to gain an understanding of the ideas, principles, values, and forms of American civilization while pursuing a different academic major.

Typical Courses

American Civilization
American Material Culture
Manhood in America
Myths and Modernization

Special Study Opportunities

An American studies internship offers you the opportunity to work with various institutions, agencies, and companies, including architectural firms, environmental agencies, historic preservation offices, historical societies, museums, newspapers, and video producers.

Faculty

Since the American studies program requires a broad range of American topics courses from as many as eight academic departments, a large number of professors participate in the program. You can obtain a complete listing of faculty and their academic qualifications for this program from the contact person listed below.

For More Information

American Studies Coordinator
500 Main Hall
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-2201