This interdisciplinary cluster is designed for students interested in majoring in Political Science, American Studies, or Legal Studies, and exploring careers in law, government, and public service. While learning the complex inner workings of the U.S., you will fulfill many breadth and graduation requirements: Arts & Literature, Historical Studies, Social & Behavioral Sciences breadth, as well as the American Cultures requirement and the American History & Institutions requirement.
Course Descriptions
- AMERSTD 10AC: Introduction to American Studies, 4 Units
American culture and cultural change, with attention to the multicultural basis of American society and emphasis on the need for multiple methods of analysis. The course will consistently draw on the arts, material culture, and various fields affecting cultural production and meaning. Those areas include literature, film, history, architecture, history of art, religion, music, engineering, environmental studies, anthropology, politics, economics, law, and medicine. This course may include discussion sections depending on available funding. Some versions of this course need four in-class contact hours because of the extensive use of media. - HISTORY 7A: Introduction to the History of the United States: The United States from Settlement to Civil War, 4 Units
This course is an introduction to the history of the United States from the beginning of the European colonization of North America to the end of the Civil War. It is also an introduction to the ways historians look at the past and think about evidence. There are two main themes: one is to understand the origin of the “groups” we call European-Americans, Native-Americans, and African-Americans; the second, is to understand how democratic political institutions emerged in the United States in this period in the context of an economy that depended on slave labor and violent land acquisition. - POLSCI 1: Introduction to American Politics, 4 Units
An introductory analysis of the structure and operations of the American political system, primarily at the national level.
Meeting Schedule
- AMERSTD 10AC: MW 3:00-5:00 PM; Discussion W 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
- HISTORY 7A: TR 3:30-5:00 PM; Discussion W 8:00-10:00 AM
- POLSCI 1: TR 2:00-3:30 PM; Discussion T 6:00-8:00 PM
Major Prerequisites and L&S Breadth/General Requirements
| Course | Major Prerequisite | L&S Breadth/General Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| AMERSTD 10AC | Prerequisite for American Studies | L&S Breadth: Arts & Literature, Historical Studies |
| HISTORY 7A | Requirement for Political Science, Legal Studies, American Studies, History | Requirement: American Cultures, American History & Institutions L&S Breadth: Historical Studies, Social & Behavioral Sciences |
| POLSCI 1 | Requirement for Political Science and Legal Studies, prerequisite for Psychology and Media Studies | L&S Breadth: Social & Behavioral Sciences |
