The American Studies Program is launching a new minor. The minor in American Studies offers students in every College the opportunity for interdisciplinary engagement with the cultures, histories, and global context of the United States.
American Studies program director Professor Noliwe Rooks believes that “the minor is an exciting opportunity for students in colleges outside of Arts and Sciences to pursue their own intellectual adventure into American culture, life and history. This will encourage students to push beyond their disciplinary boundaries.”
Professor Shirley Samuels, the program’s Director of Undergraduate Studies, noted that Cornell students have always taken courses in the history, art, literature or politics of the United States, but they hadn’t been able to package these interests in a formal way:
“The ability to declare a minor in American Studies means that the student in Arts and Sciences will have the ability to yoke an investment in a particular major with a specific set of courses that emphasize the United States. But it also means that a student in CALS or ILR can extend the reach of their studies by declaring a minor in American Studies.”
The minor consists of 5 courses (15 credits minimum) with Introduction to American Studies being the only required class. Additional details on other requirements are available on the program website. http://americanstudies.cornell.edu/minor
