BA in American Studies

Below is a sample 4-year plan for students pursuing the BA in American Studies. To view the list of courses approved to fulfill KU Core Goals, please visit the KU Core website.

Freshman
FallHoursSpringHours
ENGL 101 (Goal 2.1 Written Communication/BA Writing I)13ENGL 102 (Goal 2.1 Written Communication/BA Writing II)13
Goal 1.2 Quantitative Literacy3BA Quantitative Reasoning (BAQR)23
1st Semester Language (BA Second Language)52nd Semester Language (BA Second Language)5
First Year Seminar or Goal 1.1 Critical Thinking3Goal 2.2 Communication3
AMS 110 (Goal 3 Social Science )43AMS 100 (Goal 3 Arts and Humanities )43
 17 17
Sophomore
FallHoursSpringHours
3rd Semester Language (BA Second Language)34th Semester Language, or 1st semester of Another Language, unless req for mjr (BA Second Language)73
Goal 4.1 US Diversity43Goal 3 Natural Science3
AMS 332 (Goal 4.2 Global Awareness)3BA Laboratory/Field Experience (LFE)1
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours53Goal 5 Social Responsibility and Ethics3
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours53AMS Emphasis Area Course (1 of 4)63
 15 13
Junior
FallHoursSpringHours
AMS 360 (TYPICALLY FALL ONLY)3Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours53
AMS Emphasis Area Course 300+ (2 of 4)63AMS Emphasis Area Course 300+ (3 of 4)63
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours53Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours53
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours53Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours53
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours53Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours53
 15 15
Senior
FallHoursSpringHours
AMS Theory and Method Course (see advisor) (Major Requirement)33AMS 550 (Goal 6 Integration & Creativity, Major Requirement, SPRING ONLY)3
AMS Emphasis Area Course 300+ (4 of 4)63Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours53
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours53Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours53
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours53Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours53
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours53Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours51
 15 13
Total Hours 120
1

The BA requires completion of two courses of collegiate-level writing instruction. Students who test out of Composition will still need to complete ENGL 102 (or equivalent) and one additional Goal 2.1 course. 

2

Visit this website for a list of courses that fulfill the BA Quantitative Reasoning requirement.

3

See the Degree Requirements tab for a list of courses that fulfill this major requirement. 

4

These AMS courses can fulfill different KU Core Goals.  Individual degree mapping is done in partnership with your advisor.

5

Hour requirements (incl. 45 jr/sr hrs) are typically met through KU core, degree, major, second area of study and/or elective hours.  Students completing the BGS with a major must choose a secondary area of study.  Individual degree mapping is done in partnership with your advisor.

6

AMS majors complete one special emphasis, totaling 12 hours (4 classes) within the major.  Three of four courses must be 300+.  Majors select from options in the catalog and work with a faculty advisor to develop their emphasis and select classes.  Emphasis allows deeper study of a student's area of interest before taking senior seminar (AMS 550) in their final spring term.

7

For students completing the language requirement via the 3+1 language option, note that many first semester languages are 5 credit hours.

Please note:

All students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are required to complete 120 total hours of which 45 hours must be at the Jr/Sr (300+) level.

The same course cannot be used to fulfill more than one KU Core Goal. However, overlap of a KU Core course with a major or degree-specific requirement is allowed. Overlapping is recommended to allow more opportunities to explore other majors and/or minors.