Now in its second year of existence, the American Studies major, despite the overall budget crunch, has gotten off to a successful beginning.
"It's going really well. We have a great bunch of people and we're off to a good start," said Stephen Cushman, English professor and director of American Studies.
Cushman now has 16 students enrolled in the American Studies major and he places a strong emphasis on creating a sense of community within the major. Over the course of the two-year program, majors participate in three required seminars with the same group of peers. Additionally, students take part in picnics and receive a newsletter that covers opportunities and events related to American Studies taking place across the country.
"It almost feels like we're in an organization together," said Christine Diffell, a third-year American Studies student. "I don't think we would have that type of situation in any other major."
Cushman wants to provide students with the opportunity to specialize in one aspect of an American discipline while also acquiring knowledge in a variety of other academic areas.
This major "is about developing both an awareness and critical appreciation of the range of phenomena involving the U.S. past, present and future," he said.
English Prof. Alan Howard said he believes one of the most important goals of the American Studies major is to force students to become their own teacher. All students will move on into the real world and Howard believes this major will teach students "about the culture they swim in."
Cushman said he strongly believes the sense of community the major fosters will provide a beneficial learning environment.
"You can get lost in large lecture after large lecture. American Studies gives you both the large and small. Its flexibility allows students to tailor their schedule," Cushman said.
In order to accomplish this task, the American Studies major draws upon 180 courses from 18 different departments. Eligible courses include a diverse selection ranging from History of Jazz to Bioethics to Utopias and the Technological Society.
According to Cushman, the major allows students to "slice through the University courses horizontally" rather than build up through a major "vertically" only experiencing courses from a single department.
In the future, Cushman would like to see the program expand. However, rather than expanding the small 16 person group he would rather create multiple groups to preserve the emphasis on community within the major.
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