American Studies, BA

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American Studies is an interdisciplinary approach to studying American culture and history, challenging students to think about American culture as a whole, rather than from the perspective of a single academic discipline. The combination of courses in the American Studies curriculum fosters critical thinking and writing skills, develops the ability to synthesize information, and encourages a greater understanding of self and society. The American Studies major earns a B.A. degree.

Core Curriculum Requirements (55-62 Hours)

The Core Curriculum

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
SPA 332 - Cult. & Civ of Lat American Hours: 3
SPA 353 - Latin American Literature to 1888 Hours: 3
SPA 354 - Latin American Lit 1888-Present 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 - Communication Appreciation 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

(If Needed)

Total Credit Hours (Minimum) 128

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

All Bachelors programs at Lenoir-Rhyne require at least 128 credit hours. If, in combination, core, technical, and program requirements do not generate at least 128 hours, additional credits must be completed to achieve 128 hours. These classes may be general electives, or a student may complete a minor or additional major.

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