Nov 23, 2024

2004-2005 Springfield College Undergraduate Catalog

2004-2005 Springfield College Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

American Studies

(130 semester hours) Requirements are subject to change.

There are two primary goals of the American Studies major. The first goal is to help students acquire an understanding of American thought, institutions, and culture, utilizing a historical and cultural approach. A knowledge of history, society, politics, and culture will enable students to better comprehend the world they live in, the problems of their society, and their own lives. This core of historical and cultural understanding will help students to function as educated and informed citizens in a democratic society. In addition, students will learn about the diversity and “meaning” of the American experience. A knowledge of the ethnic and cultural diversity which has created the present will help students to communicate and cooperate in a multicultural society.

The second goal of this major is to assist the student in developing his or her critical thinking skills: analysis, problem-solving, research, writing, and evaluation. The major not only emphasizes content and information, but is designed to foster the transferable skills and attitudes which will increase the ability of American studies majors to find employment, no matter what their occupational goals. The ability to make decisions, to solve problems, and to hold informed opinions are characteristics desired by employers everywhere. American studies majors may also opt to seek licensure as an elementary teacher. For more information about the American Studies major, contact Professor Herbert Zettl, chairperson of the Social Sciences Department, at (413) 748-3213 or the Admissions Office at (800) 343-1257.

Download an American Studies Program Checksheet

CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS

I. General Education Program (41 s.h. in addition to courses taken for the major)

To integrate the humanics philosophy into their lives, Springfield College students engage in the search for knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of values through a variety of courses in the sciences and humanities. In addition to those General Education courses, students must complete 6 s.h. of Writing-Across-the-Curriculum (WAC) courses. For more information see the General Education Program and WAC courses. In the major requirements listed below, selected courses which fulfill General Education categories are marked with an asterisk; selected WAC courses are marked with a “W”.

II. Core Requirements (21 s.h.)

ARTS 219*W - American Art 1700-1900 Credits: 3 s.h
ENGL 241W - Survey of American Literature I Credits: 3 s.h
or
ENGL 242W - Survey of American Literature II Credits: 3 s.h
HIST 105* - Colonial America to the Civil War Credits: 3 s.h
HIST 106* - The Civil War to Modern America Credits: 3 s.h
POSC 110* - Introduction to American Government Credits: 3 s.h
RELI 104* - Religion in America Credits: 3 s.h

In addition, select one of the following:

ENGL 215* - Readings in Literature Credits: 3 s.h
This course only counts towards core requirements when offered as Asian-American Literature.
ENGL 251* - Survey of African American Literature I Credits: 3 s.h
ENGL 252* - Survey of African American Literature II Credits: 3 s.h
ENGL 272* - Native American Literature Credits: 3 s.h
ENGL 275* - Women and Literature Credits: 3 s.h

III. Required Concentration (15 s.h.)

Select one of the following concentrations:

A. U.S. History and the Political Process (15 s.h.)

Select five of the following courses (at least three courses must be at the 300- or 400-level):

HIST 210* - African American History Credits: 3 s.h
HIST 360 - Early American Thought and Culture Credits: 3 s.h
HIST 361 - Modern American Thought and Culture Credits: 3 s.h
HIST 365 - Environmental History of America Credits: 3 s.h
HIST 388W - Studies in History Credits: 3-4 s.h
HIST 481 - Recent American History Credits: 3 s.h
HIST 482W - History Seminar Credits: 3-4 s.h
or
POSC 482W - Political Science Seminar Credits: 4 s.h.
POSC 330 - State and Local Politics Credits: 3 s.h
POSC 340W - Public Policy Credits: 3 s.h
POSC 360 - Social Movement Organizations Credits: 3 s.h
POSC 488 - Special Topics in Political Science Credits: 3-4 s.h

B. American Social Issues (15 s.h.)

Required for this concentration:

SOCI 101* - Introduction to Sociology Credits: 3 s.h

In addition, select four of the following courses

(at least three courses must be at the 300- or 400-level):

CRIM 325W - Juvenile Delinquency Credits: 3 s.h
or
YDEV 340 - Youth in Society Credits: 3.h.
CRIM 370 - Violence and Victimization Credits: 3 s.h
MUSC 332* - Music as a Form of Social Protest Credits: 3 s.h
POSC 320 - Civil Liberties Credits: 3 s.h
POSC 340W - Public Policy Credits: 3 s.h
POSC 360 - Social Movement Organizations Credits: 3 s.h
POSC 488 - Special Topics in Political Science Credits: 3-4 s.h
SOCI 210* - Social Problems Credits: 3 s.h
SOCI 220W - Families in Society Credits: 3 s.h
SOCI 312* - Women and Society Credits: 3 s.h
SOCI 322* - Racial and Ethnic Relations Credits: 3 s.h
SOCI 332*W - Social Gerontology Credits: 3 s.h
SOCI 347 - Introduction to Social Welfare and Social Work Credits: 3 s.h
SOCI 375 - Cities and Communities Credits: 3 s.h
SOCI 410* - Poverty and Wealth Class in Society Credits: 3 s.h
SOCI 420 - Media and Society Credits: 3 s.h
SOCI 430 - Medical Sociology Credits: 3 s.h
SOCI 450 - Social Change Credits: 3 s.h

C. American Literature (15 s.h.)

Select five of the following courses, providing that they have not already been taken as a core requirement (at least three courses must be at the 300- or 400-level):

ENGL 215* - Readings in Literature Credits: 3 s.h
ENGL 241W - Survey of American Literature I Credits: 3 s.h
ENGL 242W - Survey of American Literature II Credits: 3 s.h
ENGL 251* - Survey of African American Literature I Credits: 3 s.h
ENGL 252* - Survey of African American Literature II Credits: 3 s.h
ENGL 270*W - American Nature Writers Credits: 3 s.h
ENGL 272* - Native American Literature Credits: 3 s.h
ENGL 275* - Women and Literature Credits: 3 s.h
ENGL 325* - Survey of American Drama Credits: 3 s.h
ENGL 346* - American Short Story Credits: 3 s.h
ENGL 349*W - Modern American Poetry Credits: 3 s.h
ENGL 350* - Modern American Novel Credits: 3 s.h
ENGL 352* - American Realism and Naturalism Credits: 3 s.h
ENGL 353* - American Romanticism Credits: 3 s.h
ENGL 388* - Special Topics in Narrative Film Credits: 3 s.h
ENGL 428* - Modern Drama Credits: 3 s.h
ENGL 459* - The Contemporary Novel Credits: 3 s.h
ENGL 482* - Seminar Credits: 3 s.h
ENGL 488 - Special Topics Credits: 3 s.h
(if the focus is American literature)

IV. Electives

Non-licensure students must complete 56 s.h. of electives to total 130 s.h. Elementary teacher licensure students must complete 2 s.h. of electives to total 130 s.h.

V. Option to complete the Elementary Teacher Licensure Program (80 s.h.)

American studies majors may elect to seek licensure as an elementary education teacher (grades 1–6). Advisement is provided by a member of the American studies faculty and a member of the Education Department. Students seeking licensure should begin their program upon their admission to the College, but in order to be considered teacher candidates and to complete the professional preparation requirements, they must apply for official admission to the teacher preparation program and be accepted. Application to the teacher preparation program typically occurs prior to the junior year. More information about requirements for admittance to the teacher preparation program can be found in the elementary teacher licensure section. American studies majors seeking licensure must complete all requirements for the major, including a concentration, plus the additional requirements listed below.

VI. Sample Program By Year

The program listed below is a sample—courses are not guaranteed to be offered during the year listed. It is the student’s responsibility to insure that all requirements are met on a timely basis and that needed prerequisite courses are completed before taking upper-level requirements; therefore, they should consult carefully with an advisor when planning their program. Students must average a minimum of 16.25 s.h. a semester to complete this program in four years.

Non-licensure students will need to insure that the following General Education categories are fulfilled: Natural Science, Mathematics, Computer Science, Health, Physical Education, Second Language/ Culture, History, and Philosophy. Elementary licensure students will need to insure that Computer Science, Physical Education, Second Language/Culture, and Philosophy are fulfilled. Courses marked with an * fulfill or partially fulfill a General Education category. Courses marked with a ‘W’ may fulfill a WAC requirement, depending on the year taken.

A. Sample First Year

All American studies majors

ENGL 113* - College Writing I Credits: 3 s.h
ENGL 114* - College Writing II Credits: 3 s.h
HIST 105* - Colonial America to the Civil War Credits: 3 s.h
HIST 106* - The Civil War to Modern America Credits: 3 s.h
PEAC 100* - Fitness for Life Credits: 1 s.h
POSC 110* - Introduction to American Government Credits: 3 s.h
and
General Education courses, licensure courses (if applicable), and/or electives to total at least 33 s.h. for both semesters

In addition, for students seeking elementary licensure:

EDUC 100 - Introduction to Education Credits: 2 s.h
EDUC 232 - Teaching Elementary Mathematics through the MA Curriculum Frameworks Credits: 2 s.h
MATH 101W - Mathematics for Early Childhood and Elementary Education Credits: 3 s.h
MATH 105* - Survey of Mathematics Credits: 3 s.h
PHSC 105*W - Physical Science and the Environment Credits: 4 s.h
or
PHSC 110* - Earth Science Credits: 4 s.h
SCIE 144* - Best Practices in Learning and Teaching Science Credits: 4 s.h

B. Sample Second Year

All American studies majors:

ENGL 241W - Survey of American Literature I Credits: 3 s.h
or
ENGL 242W - Survey of American Literature II Credits: 3 s.h
and
Concentration selective #1 (3 s.h.)
and
General Education courses, licensure courses (if applicable), and/or electives to total at least 33 s.h. for both semesters

In addition, for students seeking elementary licensure:

ECON 200* - Principles of Macroeconomics Credits: 3 s.h
or
ECON 205* - Principles of Microeconomics Credits: 3 s.h
EDUC 237*W - Foundations of Multicultural Education Credits: 3 s.h
ENGL 209* - Great Books Credits: 3 s.h
ENGL 220 - Traditional Grammar and Usage Credits: 3 s.h
GEOG 200* - Concepts of Geography Credits: 3 s.h
or
GEOG 210* - Cultural Geography Credits: 3 s.h
HIST 103* - World History Credits: 3 s.h
PSYC 250W - Childhood and Adolescent Development Credits: 3 s.h

C. Sample Third Year

All American studies majors:

ARTS 219*W - American Art 1700-1900 Credits: 3 s.h
HLTH 103* - Personal Health Credits: 3 s.h
RELI 104* - Religion in America Credits: 3 s.h
and
Concentration selective #2 and #3 (6 s.h.)
and
General Education courses, licensure courses (if applicable), and/or electives to total at least 33 s.h. for both semesters

In addition, for students seeking elementary licensure:

EDUC 162 - Introduction to Special Education Credits: 3 s.h
EDUC 305 - Teaching Social Studies through the MA Curriculum Frameworks Credits: 2 s.h
EDUC 327W - Methods of Teaching Reading and Language Arts in Early Childhood and Elementary Classrooms Credits: 6 s.h
ENGL 309W - Children’s Literature Credits: 3 s.h
and
2 credits of electives

D. Sample Fourth Year

All American studies majors:

ENGL ____ Literature of diversity selective (see list of options)
Concentration selective #4 and #5 (6 Credits)
Any uncompleted General Education courses, program requirements, licensure courses (if applicable), or electives to total 130 s.h.

In addition, for students seeking elementary licensure:

EDUC 463 - Practicum Seminar Credits: 3 s.h
EDUC 468 - Elementary Practicum Credits: 14 s.h

Academic Catalog

American Studies

Download an American Studies Program Checksheet

CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS

I. General Education Program (41 s.h. in addition to courses taken for the major)

II. Core Requirements (21 s.h.)

In addition, select one of the following:

III. Required Concentration (15 s.h.)

A. U.S. History and the Political Process (15 s.h.)

B. American Social Issues (15 s.h.)

In addition, select four of the following courses

C. American Literature (15 s.h.)

IV. Electives

V. Option to complete the Elementary Teacher Licensure Program (80 s.h.)

A. Additional Arts and Sciences Requirements (46 s.h.)

Recommended, but not required:

B. Elementary Teacher Professional Preparation Requirements (35 s.h.)

VI. Sample Program By Year

A. Sample First Year

In addition, for students seeking elementary licensure:

B. Sample Second Year

In addition, for students seeking elementary licensure:

C. Sample Third Year

In addition, for students seeking elementary licensure:

D. Sample Fourth Year

In addition, for students seeking elementary licensure: