American Studies, BA

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American Studies offers a broad-ranging curriculum examining history and culture, society, national identity, communities, and ideologies that have shaped America. Students build a complex understanding of the influences of the past and the contexts of the present.

Required courses include American history, literature, religion, economics and government. Additional courses are selected from a variety of subject areas, including sociology, political science, Latin American studies, African American studies, human and community services and mass communication. The American Studies major earns a B.A. degree.

General Education Requirements (37 hours)

Graduation Requirements (4 hours)

General Education Requirements

Technical Requirements (3 Hours)

ENG 230 - Exploring Literature Hours: 3

Major Requirements (39 Hours)

AMS 400 - American Studies Senior Project Hours: 3
ECO 121G - Principles of Economics Macroeconomics Hours: 3
HIS 201 - The American Experiment Hours: 3
HIS 321 - Seminar in US History Hours: 3
POL 120 - American Government Hours: 3
REL 272 - American Religion Hours: 3

Choose 2 Courses from the Following List

ENG 372 - American Novel I Hours: 3
ENG 373 - Early American Literature Hours: 3
ENG 374 - American Romanticism Hours: 3
ENG 385 - American Novel II Hours: 3
ENG 386 - American Realism and Naturalism Hours: 3
ENG 387 - Twentieth-century American Literature Hours: 3

Choose One from the Following

ENG course with African-American focus
HUM or HSB with African-American focus
HCS 250G - Multicultural Perspectives Hours: 3
HIS 208G - The Modern Developing World Hours: 3
PHI 320 - African-American Philosophy Hours: 3

Additional Major Electives (12 Hours)

(Any course not taken from the above list or any of the following or special topics courses, with approval of the program coordinator) for a minimum of 12 credit hours:

COM 120 - Media and Culture Hours: 3
CRJ 260 - Introduction to Criminal Justice Hours: 3
ECO 221 - History of Economic Thought Hours: 3
ECO 322 - Government and Business Hours: 3
HIS 248 - North Carolina Hours: 3
POL 331 - American Foreign Policy Hours: 3
POL 420 - Selected Topics in American Politics Hours: 3
SOC 100 - Introduction to Sociology Hours: 3
SOC 200 - Social Problems Hours: 3
SOC 317 - Social Stratification Hours: 3

General Elective Credits

General Electives (37 hours) as needed to reach 120 hours overall.

Total Credit Hours - Minimum 120 hours

On occasion, technical and/or program requirements may also meet specific General Education requirements. Please confer with your program advisor to determine which courses, if any, may be counted accordingly.

All bachelor’s degree programs at Lenoir-Rhyne require at least 120 credit hours. If, in combination, General Education, technical, and program requirements do not generate at least 120 hours, additional credits must be completed to achieve 120 hours. These classes may be general electives, or a student may complete a minor or additional major.

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