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American Studies at Providence College
American Studies allows students to build a unique degree from offerings from across the curriculum. The organizing principle is the American experience broadly defined, from the earliest years of European colonization to the most recent developments in Western Hemisphere political events.
Two introductory semesters of US History (required) combine with coursework in a virtually limitless range of topics: American philosophy, the sociology of race, Modern American fiction, the history of jazz, the power of hip hop, the role of Christianity in Latin American history, the Catholic imagination in cinema, the Supreme Court, Latinx literature, and much more. Professors in English, history, black studies, political science, sociology, public and community service, health policy and management, and other departments contribute to the long roster of courses that count toward the degree.
Students interested in art, literature, history, philosophy, popular culture, politics, social movements, and much else will find an invigorating academic home here. Few programs allow you such significant control of your academic path. Students deciding between two or three (or four) majors simply don’t have to, in American Studies.
DEGREE PROGRAM
Bachelor of Arts in American Studies
With dozens of courses taught by faculty from a range of disciplines, the American Studies major is the definition of interdisciplinary. This interdisciplinary character is exhibited in two ways: Students take 12 hours of mandated American Studies electives from among a wide variety of courses offered in the humanities, the social sciences, and the arts. They also take 12 hours of special American Studies seminars in their junior and senior years. These seminars are organized around specific topics in the American experience and give the concentration its special strength and character.
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Win an American Studies departmental prize
Join the American Studies Association
Broaden your understanding of American history and culture through an internship.
FACULTY
Our core American Studies faculty possess a range of specialties that reflect the variety of studies present in the program itself — from African–American culture and Atlantic history to Cold War history and Congress. They have completed fellowships at such places as the American Philosophical Society, The John Carter Brown Library, Harvard University, UCLA, and the Massachusetts Historical Society, and they have presented their work at a wide range of academic and professional conferences around the world.
They’ve received grants from such esteemed organizations as the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and the Fulbright Graduate Grant, and they have received awards such as the J. William Fulbright Scholar Award and the Higher Education Leader of the Year award from the National Society for Experiential Education.
Our Faculty on What to Read Next
Life is too short to read everything. It may even be too short to major in American Studies. This listing, brought to you by professors in AMS, highlights the books you simply cannot let pass, whatever your major.
In The News
AFTER PC
Our graduates write well, research with care, think critically, and understand both the broad patterns and small details of the American experience. The degree offers excellent preparation for law school, graduate study, and careers in education, journalism, public service, business, and much else.
86%
of 2019-2023 interdisciplinary program graduates are employed or attending graduate school
60%
are employed only
19%
are attending school only
7%
are employed and attending school
Due to rounding, some totals may not correspond with the sum of the separate figures.
Selected Places of Employment/Service
Actalent
AmeriCorps
AXS TV
Bento
Boston Scientific
Chisholm, Chisholm, & Kilpatrick
Chubb Corp.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
FBI
Foxcroft Collection
Integra Advisors
Moda Operandi, Inc
Pierce Davis & Perritano LLP
Proven Behavior Solutions, LLC
The Key Program, Inc
Wellington Management
Selected Graduate Schools
Boston University
Hult International Business School
New York University Tisch
Northeastern University
Parsons School of Design|The New School
Providence College
Quinnipiac School of Law
Syracuse University
