American Studies
Departmental Affiliation: Philosophy
What is distinctive about American culture? What issues and concerns face America in terms of the global realities of war, terrorism, international economics, poverty vs. wealth, and public policy? What values do Americans treasure? The major in American Studies provides opportunity to focus on the influences of the past and present which affect American character, experience, and institutions.
This major draws from a variety of disciplines, such as Philosophy, English, History, Business, Art, and Political Science. It provides a strong foundation for careers in law, public policy, teaching, writing, philosophy, politics, and international relations. Double majors with Philosophy, English, History, Art, or Political Science are possible and encouraged.
The principal criterion for determining whether a course is applicable to an American Studies major is that it gives insight into American thought and culture: the nation's history, social structure, politics, commerce, all that comprises The American Experience, including its reflection in literature, art, and music.
Many regularly offered courses clearly fulfill this requirement and are listed as interdisciplinary electives in the following sections. Other courses that a department may occasionally offer will also apply, with approval of the American Studies Program Director.
Interdisciplinary Requirements
A minimum of thirty-six units in American Studies is required. To ensure a wide exploration of the American Experience, at least three upper division courses must be taken in the humanities (literature, philosophy, art) and three in the social sciences (history, political science, sociology, economics).
Business
BUS 4
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Business Foundations & Analysis
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(3)
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BUS 5
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Business Law I
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(3)
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BUS 92
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Business Ethics
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(3)
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BUS 106
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Business Law II
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(3)
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BUS 133
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Money, Politics and Business
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(3)
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BUS 140/H
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Women's Issues in Business & Economics
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(3)
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BUS 160
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Principles of Marketing
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(3)
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BUS 161
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Principles of Advertising
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(3)
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BUS 184
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Organizational Behavior
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(3)
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BUS 185
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Principles of Management
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(3)
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BUS 194
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Consumer Behavior
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(3)
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English
ENG 20/120
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Great Works in American Literature
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(3)
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ENG 26
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Literature of the American West
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(3)
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ENG 108
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The News Media
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(3)
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ENG 126
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The American Experience
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(3)
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ENG 129
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Ethnic Literatures of America
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(3)
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ENG 145
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American Literature: Beginnings to 1914
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(3)
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ENG 146
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American Literature: 1914 to Present
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(3)
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ENG 164
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American Drama
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(3)
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History
HIS 6/106
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American Cultural History
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(3)
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HIS 171
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The United States from Colony to Republic, 1607-1800
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(3)
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HIS 173
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The United States in the 19th Century
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(3)
|
HIS 175
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The United States in the 20th Century
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(3)
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HIS 178
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Diplomatic History of the U. S.
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(3)
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HIS 179
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Constitutional History of the U. S.
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(3)
|
HIS 180
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Current Constitutional History
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(3)
|
HIS 181
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Modern Presidential History
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(3)
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HIS 184
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Radicalism and Dissent
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(3)
|
HIS 185A
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African American History: American Slavery, 1619-1865
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(3)
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HIS 185B
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African American History: Emancipation to the Modern Era
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(3)
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HIS 185C/185CH
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Race and Racism in American Life and Thought
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(3)
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HIS 186/186H
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Gender in American Life and Thought
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(3)
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HIS 188
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California History
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(3)
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Philosophy
PHI 92
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Intro to Business Ethics
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(3)
|
PHI 134
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American Philosophy
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(3)
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PHI 162
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Philosophy and Native Cultures
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(3)
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PHI 165
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Philosophy of Law
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(3)
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PHI 168A
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Contemporary Moral Problems
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(3)
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PHI 168B
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Bioethics
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(3)
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PHI 170
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Social and Political Philosophy
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(3)
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PHI 174
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Philosophy of Art
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(3)
|
PHI 175
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Philosophy of Film
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(3)
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PHI 176
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Philosophy of Literature
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(3)
|
PHI 179
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Women and Values
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(3)
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Political Science
POL 1
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American Government & Institutions
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(3)
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POL 5
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Business Law
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(3)
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POL 93ABCD
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Selected Problems and Projects in Political Science
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(1-3)
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POL 105
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Advanced Business Law
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(3)
|
POL 107
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Criminal Law
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(3)
|
POL 109
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Individual Rights
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(3)
|
POL 116
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Democracy and Democratic Theory
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(3)
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POL 125
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Foreign Relations of the U. S.
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(3)
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POL 137
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Ethnic Conflict and Civil War
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(3)
|
POL 170
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American Party Politics
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(3)
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POL 171/H
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Presidents and Personality
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(3)
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POL 175AB
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Selected Topics in the American Political Structure
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(3,3)
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POL 176
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Public Policy
|
(3)
|
POL 179
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California Politics
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(3)
|
POL 180
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State and Local Government
|
(3)
|
POL 186
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Intro to Public Administration
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(3)
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POL 191
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Internship in Government Service
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(3)
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Psychology
PSY 110
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Gender Issues in Psychology
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(3)
|
PSY 128
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Adulthood and Aging
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(3)
|
PSY 139
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Child Abuse and Family Violence
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(3)
|
PSY 144
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Psychology of Prejudice
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(3)
|
PSY 145
|
Social Psychology
|
(3)
|
PSY 148
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Industrial/Organizational Psychology
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(3)
|
PSY 151
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Divorce and Remarriage
|
(3)
|
PSY 185
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Psychology of Law
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(3)
|
PSY 186
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Violence Against Women
|
(3)
|
Sociology
SOC 104
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The Family
|
(3)
|
SOC 110
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Juvenile Delinquency
|
(3)
|
SOC 111
|
Criminology
|
(3)
|
SOC 112
|
Medical Sociology
|
(3)
|
SOC 125
|
Cultural Anthropology
|
(3)
|
SOC 135
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Mass Media
|
(3)
|
SOC 160
|
Diversity in Society
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(3)
|
SOC 161
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Dynamics of Majority-Minority Relations
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(3)
|
SOC 175
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Urban Sociology
|
(3)
|
SOC 180
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Social Stratification
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(3)
|
SOC 189
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Gerontology
|
(3)
|
SOC 190
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Social Change
|
(3)
|
SOC 191
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Social Movements
|
(3)
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SOC 195
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Sociology of Religion
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(3)
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Total Units in American Studies: 36
Courses are described in the respective departmental listings.
Plus General Studies requirements and electives totaling 124 semester units, including Modern Language requirement. At least 15 upper division American Studies units must be completed at MSMC.
American Studies Minor
A minimum of six courses that meet the American Studies criteria described above.
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