American Studies Major

• What is American Studies?
• What Kinds of Students Major in American Studies?
• What Courses Do American Studies Majors Take?
• List of American Studies Jobs
• What is the Median Salary Range for American Studies Careers?
• College and University Departments to Consider

What is American Studies?

Students in American Studies analyze the cultural, historical, social, and political nature of America. History, folklore, art, architecture, public policy all contribute to American studies. Students in this discipline understand the history of America, how American development relates to technological advancement, segregation and all other aspects of our history and culture. A major in this discipline examines topics such as prejudice, minorities and race and learns how to examine the American way of life.

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What Kinds of Students Major in American Studies?

Students majoring in American Studies are open-minded and intellectually curious. The very nature of their society will be analyzed and, therefore, students must be receptive to analyzing and reacting to a wide variety of opinions and positions. Public policy, societal reactions and tendencies are taken into consideration. Students must have a "thick skin" when it comes to their own beliefs. Students need to differentiate their views from those of others. American Studies majors have interests in a diversity of fields, most especially sociology, history and political science.

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What Courses Do American Studies Majors Take?

The required and elective courses you would take for American Studies majors vary considerably among institutions. Courses are listed here that are illustrative of the breadth of topics you are likely to experience were you to major in this field.

African-American History	American Romanticism
Contemporary American Culture	Cultural Studies
History of the American West	Immigration
U.S. Constitutional History	U.S. Media Culture
U.S. Social History

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List of Potential Jobs in American Studies

These professions and professional organizations illustrate the types of positions you might qualify for if you complete this major. Some majors are more directly related to employment than others, however. You should consider the likelihood of employment after graduation carefully, if you do not plan to go on for graduate work in a field. Even with the completion of graduate work in some fields, however, employment is difficult, so you should determine what the prospects are for this or any major. Employment possibilities are often enhanced by the selecting employment-related courses and by the enrollment in second major or in a minor.

Author/Societal Commentator	Community Relations Director
Economic and Social Planner	Historic Preservation Specialist
Lobbyist/Crusader	Museum Director/Staff
Non-Profit Organization Administrator	Politician
Public Administration	Public Relations Director
Researcher	Teacher

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What is the Median Salary Range for American Studies Careers?

Actual expected salaries will vary depending on your chosen career path, experience, and even your geographic location. Are you interested in detailed information about the forecasted demand for a particular profession? Are you interested in the estimated salaries such positions are likely to pay? This government Web site allows you to search on a particular job, whether listed here or not, to give you this information.

Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Colleges and Universities offering majors in American Studies

MyMajors complete list has 489 schools in the USA with a major in American Studies.
-View the national listing!

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