American Studies

Making Sense of American Experiences

The American Studies program draws on multiple methodologies and critical interdisciplinary approaches to understand US culture, politics and society. The program is dedicated to developing student knowledge of American life and history with an emphasis on investigating problems of power and difference in local, national and global contexts. Grounded in creative and collaborative reflection, we prepare students to interrogate dominant ideologies and systems, produce knowledge in multiple forms and engage various publics.

American studies News

Student SpotlightLea Emanuel '26

Majors: American Studies, Gender, Sexuality, and Injustice Studies

"American Studies has opened doors for me to expand my scholarly approach past traditional historical paradigms. Providing me with access to diverse research methods and perspectives has helped me to embrace HWS' interdisciplinary approach. A critical course in this exploration was AMST 260: 'A Critical Family History.' This course promoted a sense of exploration and personal introspection, fostering a deeper understanding of my familial history and heritage."

Experiential EducationTake Control of Your Learning

In the classroom, American Studies students often drive the discussion, bringing current events and topical issues to their coursework. Rather than lecturing, faculty encourage students to develop their voices as activists, artists, writers and thinkers, and to use those voices outside their coursework.

At Hobart and William Smith, learning goes beyond textbooks and classrooms. You’ll gain high-impact practical experience that deepens learning and opens doors.

Explore and Experience at the HWS Centers

No Borders:Global Education

Whether you’re studying the systems that created Jim Crow laws in Belgium, American television representations of Asian women in Hong Kong or the ways art, architecture and public spaces shape national identity in Buenos Aires, you can take American Studies out of America by studying abroad.

Wherever you go, our top-ranked global education program will allow you to apply classroom knowledge, develop cultural understanding and build global connections that expand your personal capacity and sense of purpose.

Study Abroad Options

Honors

And Research

All American Studies students complete an independent study as part of the senior capstone course. In the capstone seminar, students reflect on their American Studies education and consider their role as emerging public intellectuals who contribute to education, democracy, and social understanding. The course examines how American Studies scholarship engages with contemporary issues while developing students skills as creators of knowledge about American culture, society, and educational processes. The course culminates in a portfolio of their educational journey.

Students looking to further deepen their engagement in their work can also complete an Honors project on a topic of interest with the mentorship of an American Studies faculty member.

Recent Research Projects

Belonging, Diversity and Equity

Questions of power, difference and inequality are central to American Studies. You’ll examine how race, class, gender, sexuality, ability and citizenship intersect to shape individual and collective identities as well as political, economic and cultural institutions.

Through frameworks including critical race theory, feminist theory, Marxism, queer theory and narrative theory, you’ll develop new ways of understanding inequality and difference while engaging with the experiences, ideas and cultural contributions of historically marginalized and contemporary minoritized communities.

Become immersed in historical, cultural and artistic aspects that make American Studies a diverse, interdisciplinary subject.

AMST 110 Inequality, Power, and Violence in the Contemporary US

This course examines poverty and inequality, mass incarceration, militarism and empire, and the ways these forces intersect and shape contemporary American life.

AMST 214 Introduction to Museum Studies

This course explores the history, theory and evolving role of museums, including their relationships to colonization, nation building, globalization, social advocacy and community engagement. Dual-listed as CMST 214

AMST 237 Environmental Justice in INdian Country

This course examines American Indian relationships to the environment and the ways federal policy, land rights, resource use and traditional ecological knowledge shape contemporary environmental issues. Dual-listed as ENV 237.

AMST 250 Introduction to Chicana Feminism and Visual Culture

Explore Chicana and women of color feminism through visual culture, arts-based activism and Indigenous folklore, with attention to gender, sexuality, identity and social change. Dual-listed as GSIJ 250.

AMST 349 Gender, Space and NArrative Reparation: The Womb Chair Speaks Project

This course engages students in feminist art and activism through the Womb Chair Speaks project, exploring sexism and racism in architecture and medicine through interdisciplinary research, discussion and hands-on craftwork.

American Studies Courses and Curriculum Faculty Directory

Alum Impactbuilding relationships to succeed

rachel meller '21

Position:
Social Coordinator, Merkley + Partners
Location:
New York, NY
Majors:
American Studies, Media and Society

"During my four years at HWS, I took the time to really get to know my professors and staff members in a multitude of departments and offices. These relationships were instrumental in helping me get to where I am today. All of my professors had my best interest in mind and were constantly pushing me to put forward the best work possible. Knowing how much each of my professors and staff cared about me and my future was my favorite aspect of HWS because I don't think I would've gotten to have these personal relationships at another university-- it is one of the many special things that I will always cherish about HWS."

American Studies Outcomes

American Studies offers students the flexibility for multiple career and post-graduate pathways. Students have gone on to careers in journalism, law, community organizations and teaching. As an interdisciplinary program, the possibilities are limitless.

Explore the Paths of American Studies Majors at HWS

Hobart and William Smith Colleges

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