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 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
ENGL 101 (Goal 2.1 Written Communication/BA Writing I)1 | 3 | ENGL 102 (Goal 2.1 Written Communication/BA Writing II)1 | 3 |
Goal 1.2 Quantitative Literacy | 3 | BA Quantitative Reasoning (BAQR)2 | 3 |
1st Semester Language (BA Second Language) | 5 | 2nd Semester Language (BA Second Language) | 5 |
First Year Seminar or Goal 1.1 Critical Thinking | 3 | Goal 2.2 Communication | 3 |
AMS 110 (Goal 3 Social Science )4 | 3 | AMS 100 (Goal 3 Arts and Humanities )4 | 3 |
17 | 17 | ||
Sophomore | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
3rd Semester Language (BA Second Language) | 3 | 4th Semester Language, or 1st semester of Another Language, unless req for mjr (BA Second Language)7 | 3 |
Goal 4.1 US Diversity4 | 3 | Goal 3 Natural Science | 3 |
AMS 332 (Goal 4.2 Global Awareness) | 3 | BA Laboratory/Field Experience (LFE) | 1 |
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours5 | 3 | Goal 5 Social Responsibility and Ethics | 3 |
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours5 | 3 | AMS Emphasis Area Course (1 of 4)6 | 3 |
15 | 13 | ||
Junior | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
AMS 360 (TYPICALLY FALL ONLY) | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours5 | 3 |
AMS Emphasis Area Course 300+ (2 of 4)6 | 3 | AMS Emphasis Area Course 300+ (3 of 4)6 | 3 |
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours5 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours5 | 3 |
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours5 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours5 | 3 |
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours5 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours5 | 3 |
15 | 15 | ||
Senior | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
AMS Theory and Method Course (see advisor) (Major Requirement)3 | 3 | AMS 550 (Goal 6 Integration & Creativity, Major Requirement, SPRING ONLY) | 3 |
AMS Emphasis Area Course 300+ (4 of 4)6 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours5 | 3 |
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours5 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours5 | 3 |
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours5 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours5 | 3 |
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours5 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours5 | 1 |
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.