In American Politics and Culture, you will delve into the core skills of many degrees in the humanities. Through coursework in History, Anthropology, and Political Science, this cluster will provide you with a strong foundation, if you’re interested in areas such as Political Science, Legal Studies, and History, and more. You will fulfill a variety of requirements: the Historical Studies breadth, the Social & Behavioral Sciences breadth, the American Cultures requirement, and the American History requirement.
Course Descriptions
- ANTHRO 3AC: Introduction to Social/Cultural Anthropology (American Cultures), 4 Units. The structure and dynamics of human cultures and social institutions from a comparative perspective with special attention to American cultures and their roots. Case studies will illustrate the principles presented in the course. It fulfills the requirements for 3.
- 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
- ANTHRO 3AC: TR 11 AM -12:30 PM; Discussion M 10-11 AM
- HISTORY 7A: TR 3:30-5 PM; Discussion W 8-10 AM
- POLSCI 1: TR 9:30-11 AM; Discussion W 2-4 PM
Major Prerequisites and L&S Breadth/General Requirements
| Course | Major Prerequisite | L&S Breadth/General Requirements | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANTHRO 3AC | Prerequisite for Psychology, Media Studies, Anthropology, can be a prereq for ISF | American Cultures requirement, Social & Behavioral Sciences | |
| HISTORY 7A | Requirement for Political Science, Legal Studies, American Studies, History | Meets the American Cultures requirement, American History & Institutions requirement, Historical Studies, L&S Breadth, Social & Behavioral Sciences, L&S Breadth, American History Requirement | |
| POLSCI 1 | Requirement for Political Science and Legal Studies, prerequisite for Psychology and Media Studies | Social & Behavioral Sciences, L&S Breadth |
* = one of several classes that can satisfy requirement
+ = recommended, not required
^ = lower division requirement, not required for declaration
