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Students interested in the American Studies major often start by taking AMST 101, which is a major requirement and is typically offered during the fall semester. In addition, most 200-level AMST courses do not have prerequisites and are open to first-year students.  The major requires students to complete two courses in the Cultural Productions group and two courses in the Historical Perspectives group, as well as three additional electives, AMST 390, and AMST 490.  AMST 390 is the junior seminar that focuses on the theories and interdisciplinary methodologies of American Studies and prepares students to write their comprehensive theses in the AMST 490 senior seminar. At least two of the seven electives must be 300-level courses.

Placement Information

No placement exams are specifically required for the American Studies major. 

Sample 4-Year Plan

Curricular Notes

• Certain designated courses from Departments such as History, Black Studies, Religious Studies, and Art & Art History also count as American Studies Electives.
• The Junior Seminar (AMST390) is only taught in the spring semester.  Junior American Studies majors who plan to study abroad should plan to do so in the fall of their junior year so they can be back on campus for AMST 390 in their spring semester.

American Studies Transfer Student Advice

Transfer Course Limit for Transfer Students: 2 courses

Designated Transfer Adviser

Expected preparation for transfer students wanting to major in American Studies:

• Students transferring in as juniors will ideally have already taken a course equivalent to AMST 101; however, it is possible to complete the entire major in two years without any preparation as long as a student’s Core requirements are mostly completed.

General advice for transfer students wanting to major in American Studies:

• AMST 390 and AMST 490 must be taken at Occidental and can not be fulfilled by transfer courses.

• The American Studies major has a flexible and interdisciplinary structure which offers many different paths to completion for transfer students.

What courses should a transfer student take during their first semester at Occidental?

• Junior transfers should enroll in AMST 101 if they have not already taken an approved equivalent course. In addition, they should take one or two additional courses that count toward the major. For Junior transfers starting during the spring semester, one of these courses should be AMST 390.

• All other transfer students should take AMST 101 during their first semester if they have not already taken an approved equivalent course. Otherwise, they should take another course that counts toward the major.