Bachelor of Arts in American Studies

SUNY Oswego

The program combines interdisciplinary courses from the departments of anthropology, art, economics, English and creative writing, history, music, philosophy, political science and sociology. With guidance from your faculty advisor, the program can be tailored to your interests, and culminates with a senior seminar concentrating on some aspect or period of American life.

Because of the interdisciplinary approach, students can intern in a variety of fields ranging from museums to publishers to government agencies. The city of Oswego’s rich history as a centre for trade, commerce and military defence makes SUNY Oswego the perfect place to study this topic. Oswego historic attractions include Fort Ontario, a key installation in early wars; the Safe Haven Museum, commemorating a one-of-its-kind shelter for Jewish and other refugees fleeing Europe during World War II; and connections with the Underground Railroad.

Outcomes

Use the interdisciplinary approaches that characterize contemporary American Studies to produce thoughtfully informed writing and/or other forms of expressive media

Critique intersectional systems of socialization that enable or frustrate access to “American” identity at different historical moments (e.g., practices of racialization, class formation, body normalization, gender performativity, constructions of citizenship)

Compare several “American” cultures and their attendant representations in distinct forms of art, writing and/or material culture

Analyse forms of civic engagement and describe how these forms shape or disrupt community

Career Opportunities

Legislative analyst

Policy adviser

Correspondent

Journalist

Historian

Public relations specialist