In order to structure their studies of American society and culture, majors will select a focus--such as an era (e.g. antebellum America, the twentieth century) or a topical concentration (e.g. ethnicity and race, urban life, social policy, material culture, the family, industrialization, the arts, the media, popular culture, comparative American cultures)--which they will explore in at least four courses.  It is expected that several courses in the major will explore issues outside the theme.

Requirements: 12 semester courses totaling 48 credits, as follows (see check list at end of Handbook:

1. AMS 201 and 202. 
2. Eight courses in the American field. At least four must be related in a coherent manner. At least two courses must be in the Humanities and two in the Social Sciences. At least two must be devoted primarily to the years before the twentieth century. At least one must be a seminar, ideally in the theme selected.  Students who write honors theses do not have to take a seminar. 
3. One course that will enable the student to make explicit comparisons between the United States and another society, culture, or region. The purpose of this requirement is to encourage students to take at least one course in their major that enables them to think about what they have learned of the U.S. in comparative perspective.  There are relatively few courses in the Smith curriculum that do this explicitly.  Therefore, students can fulfill this requirement by making such comparisons on their own but through their engagement with materials and ideas in a course whose focus is largely outside the U.S. --  courses, for example, in Anthropology or in non-U.S. history, literature, or art.
4. AMS 340 or AMS 341. 

Senior Certification Form: When indicating on the Senior Certification Form which 64 courses they have taken outside the major, an American Studies student can list American subject courses that she does not need to fulfill the Program's requirements, but not American Studies courses themselves. 

Teaching Certification: An American Studies major can get certified to teach in primary schools by completing the requirements for the major, as well as a series of six (6) courses in Education and Child Study. 

American Studies majors may also obtain Massachusetts secondary school certification, which allows them to teach in public high schools in most states in the U.S.  Secondary certification requires the student to take five designated courses in the Department of Education and Child Study (see catalogue) as well as a series of courses (usually at least 8 or 9) in the subject field they want to teach.  Most American Studies majors pursue certification in either history or political science.  Advisors can help students choose courses that both satisfy the AMS major and meet state certification requirements for subject matter.  Students must pass a state test of subject competency before receiving certification.

A student wishing to become certified to teach in the public schools should meet with Rosetta Cohen, who will review her program.