Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
American Cultural Studies, BA
What Is American Cultural Studies?
American Cultural Studies allows students and faculty to address issues such as race/ethnicity, educational equity, social and cultural theory, socio-economic class, as well as gender and sexual orientation while analyzing the formation of identities in societies. The program in American Cultural Studies concentrates on the Americanization process, American character, American cultural institutions and/or cultural values, particularly as these shape our concepts and society. ACS serves those students and faculty who are interested in the study of such questions, but find that important aspects of cultural theory, artifacts and values are not fully revealed by the course of study within a single department or college. The program allows students the opportunity to study issues arising specifically from the cultural diversity in American society. Whenever possible, the program takes advantages of the rich curricular offerings of the various departments and colleges within the university.
Why Should I Consider this Major?
Students who want a liberal arts education of breadth and depth will find that, because of its flexibility, the program adapts well to their needs. The ACS major combines the social sciences with humanities to prepare students with a rich undergraduate background for advanced study in law, domestic social services, public service, government service, education, and graduate work in American studies, ethnic studies and the social sciences.
How to Declare:
A formal program of study is initially designed by the student in consultation with a member of the American Cultural Studies faculty. The program is then approved by the Director of American Cultural Studies. No program of study may substantially duplicate an existing departmental or college program. Ordinarily, final approval of the course of study must be granted before senior status is reached.
The student may propose a broad, general program in American Cultural Studies, social science or education concentrations, or focus on one major aspect, for example: ethnic studies, sexuality, myth and folklore or Pacific Northwest studies. In any case, the proposed program must include substantial upper-division work in at least two curricular units of the University. These may include Fairhaven or Huxley colleges.
The faculty recommends that students use a minor to develop special career interests or foci (see, for example, the Asian American Studies minor), or to develop additional depth in one of the traditional academic disciplines or programs of the University.
Coursework
Core Courses: 39-44 credits
- One course from:
- AMST 301 - Comparative Cultural Studies
- FAIR 366E - Comparative Cultural Studies
- One course from:
- AMST 499 - Research and Writing
- LIBR 499 - Special Problems
- Choose a total of three courses from the following options:
- AMST 206 - The Jewish-American Experience
- AMST 242 - The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered Experience
- One course from:
- AMST 202 - The American Indian Experience
- FAIR 263B - The American Indian Experience
- One course from:
- AMST 203 - The Hispano/a-American Experience
- FAIR 218C - The Hispano/A-American Experience
- One course from:
- AMST 204 - The African-American Experience
- FAIR 219D - The African-American Experience
- One course from:
- AMST 205 - The Asian-American Experience
- FAIR 215F - The Asian-American Experience
- Two courses from the social sciences, selected under advisement from:
- AMST 314 - Contemporary Latino/A Issues
- AMST 316 - Contemporary African American Issues
- ENVS 204 - Human Geography
- FAIR 212E - Coast to Coast on a Piece of Toast: Hoboism and the Great Depression
- FAIR 374B - The Cultural Creation of Identity
- PLSC 101 - Government and Politics in the Modern World
- PLSC 250 - The American Political System
- PLSC 347 - Race, Politics and Public Policy
- PLSC 421 - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered Politics
- SOC 221 - Introduction to Population Issues
- SOC 255 - Social Organization of Criminal Justice
- SOC 260 - The Family in Society
- SOC 268 - Gender and Society
- SOC 269 - Race and Ethnic Relations
- One course from:
- AMST 315 - Contemporary American Indian Issues
- FAIR 399B - Contemporary American Indian Issues
- One course from:
- ANTH 104 - American Mosaic: The Cultures of the United States
- ANTH 353 - Sex and Gender in Culture
- Select one course from:
- AMST 362 - Asian-American History
- HIST 263 - African Americans Since 1865
- HIST 265 - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Experiences in U.S. History
- HIST 275 - The Indian in American History
- HIST 353 - Latinas/os in the US West
- HIST 362 - Asian-American History
- HIST 365 - History of Sexuality in the United States
- HIST 367 - US Women to 1865
- HIST 368 - US Women from 1865
- HIST 461 - US Urban History
- HIST 467 - American Cultural History: 1790-1880
- Two courses from:
- ENG 216 - Introduction to American Literature
- ENG 227 - Introduction to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Literature
- ENG 234 - Introduction to African-American Literature
- ENG 235 - Introduction to American Indian Literatures
- ENG 236 - Introduction to Asian-American Literatures
- ENG 239 - Introduction to Latina/o Literatures
- ENG 270 - Introduction to Language and Society
- ENG 327 - Studies in Historically Marginalized Literatures
- ENG 338 - Women and Literature in North America and Europe
- Select one course from:
- A/HI 360 - Nationalism and Cultural Identity, 19th and 20th Centuries
- DNC 232 - Movement and Culture
- FAIR 451X - Resistance Art of the Indigena
- MUS 202 - Jazz: Genesis and Evolution
- MUS 205 - Survey of Non-Western Musical Cultures
Other Requirements
Individualized Program of Study 26-31 credits (selected under advisement)
A formal program of study is initially designed by the student in consultation with a member of the American Cultural Studies faculty. The
program is then approved by the Director of American Cultural Studies. No program of study may substantially duplicate an existing departmental or college program. Ordinarily, final approval of the course of study must be granted before senior status is reached.
The student may propose a broad, general program in American Cultural Studies, social science or education concentrations, or focus on one major aspect, for example: ethnic studies, sexuality, myth and folklore or Pacific Northwest studies. In any case, the proposed program must include substantial upper-division work in at least two curricular units of the University. These may include Fairhaven or Huxley colleges.
The faculty recommends that students use a minor to develop special career interests or foci (see, for example, the Asian American Studies
minor), or to develop additional depth in one of the traditional academic disciplines or programs of the University.
GURs:
The courses below satisfy GUR requirements and may also be used to fulfill major requirements.
HUM: ENG 216, 270
SSC: ENVS 204; PLSC 101, 250; SOC 221, 255, 260
ACGM: DNC 232; MUS 205
BCGM: AMST 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 242, 301, 362; ANTH 104, 353; ENG 227, 234, 235, 236, 239, 338; HIST 263, 265, 275, 353, 362; SOC 268, 269
Notable Alumni
Sample Careers
- Attorney
- Public Administration
- Higher Education
- Social Worker
- Marketing Specialist
- Firefighter
- Teaching English as a Second
- Language
- Consumer Advisor
- Community Relations Director
- Human Resource Coordinator
- Police Officer
- Non-Profit Agency
- Administrator
- Public School Teacher
Department
Contact
Program Director:
Dr. Larry J. Estrada
Fairhaven 330
360-650-3016
Larry.Estrada@wwu.edu