Program Overview

American Studies (AMS) Program

The American Studies program at the University of Miami offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to understanding United States culture and society. The program provides students with a broad range of courses that explore various aspects of American life, including history, literature, politics, religion, law, education, film, music, art, sociology, geography, anthropology, environmental studies, ethnic studies, women's and gender studies, LGBTQ studies, cultural studies, international studies, and urban studies.

Course Offerings

• AMS 101: Introduction to American Studies: This interdisciplinary course builds analytic skills and critical perspectives for exploring and understanding United States culture and society. Specific focus and content vary by section and semester.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring
• AMS 301: Topics in American Studies: Content varies by semester.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring
• AMS 310: The United States in the World: This interdisciplinary course explores United States culture in a global framework, with attention to building more sophisticated analytic skills and critical perspectives. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring
• AMS 321: Topics in American Studies: History: This course explores the field of history within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring
• AMS 322: Topics in American Studies: Literature: This course explores the field of literature within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring
• AMS 323: Topics in American Studies: Politics: This course explores the field of politics within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer
• AMS 324: Topics in American Studies: Religion: This course explores the field of religion within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring
• AMS 325: Topics in American Studies: Law: This course explores the field of law within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring
• AMS 326: Topics in American Studies: Education: This course explores the field of education within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring
• AMS 327: Topics in American Studies: Film: This course explores the field of film within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring
• AMS 328: Topics in American Studies: Music: This course explores the field of music within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring
• AMS 329: Topics in American Studies: Art: This course explores the field of art within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer
• AMS 330: Topics in American Studies: Sociology: This course explores the field of sociology within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring
• AMS 331: Topics in American Studies: Geography: This course explores the field of geography within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring
• AMS 332: Topics in American Studies: Anthropology: This course explores the field of anthropology within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring
• AMS 333: Topics in American Studies: Environmental Studies: This course explores the field of environmental studies within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring
• AMS 334: Topics in American Studies: Ethnic Studies: This course explores the field of ethnic studies within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring
• AMS 335: Topics in American Studies: Women's and Gender Studies: This course explores the field of gender studies within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring
• AMS 336: Topics in American Studies: LGBTQ Studies: This course explores the field of LGBTQ studies within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring
• AMS 337: Topics in American Studies: Cultural Studies: This course explores the field of cultural studies within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only
• AMS 338: Topics in American Studies: International Studies: This course explores the field of international studies in relation to a U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring
• AMS 339: Topics in American Studies: Urban Studies: This course explores the field of urban studies within and in relation to the U.S. context. Specific focus and content vary by semester.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring
• AMS 350: History and Culture of South Florida: The history and culture of South Florida from a multidisciplinary perspective.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring
• AMS 399: Independent Study: By arrangement with instructor; content varies.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: CNC
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring
• AMS 401: Seminar in American Studies: Content varies by semester.
  • Components: SEM
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring
• AMS 499: Independent Study: By arrangement with instructor; content varies.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer
• AMS 501: Senior Project: All majors must complete either an individual research project or an internship at a local cultural or civic institution. Either option must be approved by the program director.
  • Components: THI
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer
• AMS 505: Honors Thesis: American Studies majors with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 in AMS courses and an overall GPA of at least 3.0 may earn departmental honors by completing AMS 505: honors thesis. Candidates for departmental honors are responsible for finding a faculty member to serve as the thesis advisor. Students would take AMS 501 in the fall semester or the senior year and AMS 505 in the spring to complete the honors thesis.
  • Components: THI
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer

Program Requirements

To graduate with a degree in American Studies, students must complete the required courses and electives as outlined in the program curriculum. The program director must approve all course selections and senior project or internship proposals.

Research Areas

The American Studies program at the University of Miami offers a wide range of research areas, including but not limited to:

• History
• Literature
• Politics
• Religion
• Law
• Education
• Film
• Music
• Art
• Sociology
• Geography
• Anthropology
• Environmental Studies
• Ethnic Studies
• Women's and Gender Studies
• LGBTQ Studies
• Cultural Studies
• International Studies
• Urban Studies

Conclusion

The American Studies program at the University of Miami provides students with a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to understanding United States culture and society. With a wide range of course offerings and research areas, students can tailor their degree to their interests and career goals. The program's emphasis on critical thinking, analytical skills, and effective communication prepares students for success in a variety of fields, including academia, law, politics, education, and the arts.