{"id":51,"date":"2015-07-28T13:43:19","date_gmt":"2015-07-28T13:43:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/umwwebmaster.wpengine.com\/study\/?post_type=areas&p=51"},"modified":"2023-10-04T16:31:03","modified_gmt":"2023-10-04T20:31:03","slug":"american-studies","status":"publish","type":"areas","link":"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/study\/areas\/american-studies\/","title":{"rendered":"American Studies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Majors, Minors & Areas of Study<\/div>

American Studies<\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
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What shapes the American character?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For you, it\u2019s not enough to know facts \u2013 you\u2019re driven to explore how they interconnect and play off one another. Major in American Studies at UMW and you\u2019ll examine the United States\u2019 complex character, and engage with some of the most pressing public issues and debates in modern American society. In this interdisciplinary program, you\u2019ll draw insight from departments across campus, including history, geography, religion, political science, music, art history, sociology, and others. The research, writing and critical thinking skills you hone can launch careers in law, journalism, education, government or business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Degree Awarded<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Students majoring in American Studies who complete all requirements earn the degree of Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in General Liberal Arts and Studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Areas of Study<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UMW\u2019s American Studies curriculum is interdisciplinary, student-centered, and flexible. You can focus on a thematic area of interest, such as gender and sexuality, race and ethnicity, cultural expression, human rights, politics and society, or space and place. You\u2019ll choose from a diverse range of courses such as American Foodways, Museums in the US, Labor Economics, Southern Literature, US History on Film, Contemporary American Politics, Race & Place in America, and Perspectives in Sexuality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Career Opportunities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With the strong knowledge base and hands-on experience you\u2019ll gain through UMW\u2019s American Studies program, you\u2019ll be prepared to work in business, education, law, government, library science, media, and many other fields. American Studies students are career-ready changemakers, prepared to ask important questions and seek answers through rigorous research and critical analysis, and to present their ideas with clarity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn more about how UMW history and American studies majors have put their degrees to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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See Career Paths
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Internships<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UMW\u2019s American Studies majors may find internships at Smithsonian Institution sites such as the National Museum of the American Indian and the National Museum of American History. Other opportunities come from the National Park Service, City of Fredericksburg, Monticello, and the Marine Corps Archives at Quantico. Internships are encouraged, and up to three academic internship credits may be applied toward the major.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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