American Studies

View the United States through the prism of history, literature, and the arts.

Degrees

If you have an interest in American literature but also desire to learn how it relates to American art, film, music, and religion and how these influences collectively reflect and shape the attitudes and values of the United States, you are an excellent candidate for our program in American studies.

You will explore the strands of American culture and examine the forces of class, ethnicity, gender, and race, and how these factors form your identity and contribute to your place in the larger mosaic of American society. Exploring  American culture and experience through the prism of U.S. history, literature, and the arts, you will qualify for careers in arts administration, education, journalism, law, and public policy.

Program Brochure

Program Brochure

Program Brochure

The flexibility of American studies allows you to pursue your own particular interests and encourages unconventional thinking, while our Core electives and individualized advising give your academic program coherence, balance, and depth.

Career Information

The key skills developed and honed in American studies—critical and creative thinking, research and writing, and intellectual flexibility—are highly valued in a wide range of fields. As such, the major (or minor) can lead to and enrich a variety of careers. Graduates of the program work in several professions, including primary, secondary, and college-level education; journalism; law; editing; creative writing; arts administration; and public policy.

Contact Information

Director: Yung-Yi Diana Pan
3415 Boylan Hall
E: ypan@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.5000, ext. 1776

Brooklyn. All in.