Department of American Studies - Salve Regina University

Coordinator: Christopher M. Kiernan, Ed.D.

Coordinator: Christopher M. Kiernan, Ed.D.

The American studies program takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of American culture and society.

Courses examine the development of American culture through the study of history, literature, philosophy, social institutions and politics. In this way students view those characteristics that contribute to our nation's identity from a wider array of perspectives than are available in a single a discipline.

The American Studies Program strives to achieve the university's mission by offering students the opportunity to gain a critical understanding of American culture and society through an integrated study of American history, institutions, ideas and social groups. To achieve this objective, the program brings together courses from a variety of academic areas. In this way students view those characteristics which contribute to our nation's identity from a wider array of methodological and topical perspectives than would be available to them in a single discipline.

Students majoring in American Studies must complete eleven (11) courses (33 credits). The program is divided into three parts; a required interdisciplinary component of six courses, a student selected concentration of four courses, and a coordinating seminar.

In the required interdisciplinary component students combine an introductory course in American Studies with courses in American history, literature and philosophy. Students complete this component with an elective course that broadens their base of knowledge of American culture or enables comparison with the culture of another country.

In consultation with the Program Coordinator the student selects a concentration of four courses from university-wide offerings that deal directly with American culture and life and reflect the students academic and/or career interests, or from international study options that enable comparison with other cultures.

The program is concluded with a coordinating seminar.