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Director: Professor Lorrie Smith
Distinguished Scholar-in-Residence: Kristin Dykstra

The American Studies Program is devoted to the interdisciplinary study of history, culture, and social institutions in the United States. The program coordinates faculty and courses drawn from a wide range of departments within the College, including English, History, Political Science, Media Studies, Journalism and Digital Arts, Fine Arts, Economics and Geography, Sociology and Anthropology, Philosophy, and Religious Studies.

The American Studies Program offers an opportunity to explore the commonalities and differences among Americans through an understanding of the rich and pluralistic complexity of American cultures, institutions, and identities. Students are expected to develop a solid grounding in history as a basis and context for their other investigations of American culture, and they are encouraged to undertake comparative studies of culture. Students will work closely with an advisor to develop a program that is both interdisciplinary and that pursues significant themes or questions in depth. Students with interests in careers such as law, business, journalism, social work, government, teaching, and public health will find American Studies a valuable base for later work or study.

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