Have A Look . . .
View posters from World War I and World War II Propoganda Posters Collection, 1980-1944, available on Brandeis LTS Special Collections Spotlight, September 2008.
Newly available from LTS is a library guide on American Studies
Welcome to American Studies
American studies is an interdisciplinary field devoted to the study of all things American. An inquiry into the many varieties of American culture, past and present, the major seeks to provide students with a historical perspective on the United States and an educated awareness of the ways in which the nation has shaped the lives of its citizens as well as people around the world.
The curriculum embraces a wide range of cultural expressions, including literature, film, music, art, architecture and digital media. Typically, students who enroll anticipate careers in fields such as law, business, public service, education, journalism and the entertainment industry. As the sponsor of programs in legal studies and journalism, the department aims to provide a broad background to those areas and welcomes students who seek active engagement with the contemporary world through a firm grounding in liberal arts.
Academic Features
Students in American studies have ample opportunity to do an individually designed research project one-on-one with a faculty member or to pursue a program of specialized readings on topics not covered in regular courses (AMST 97a, b and AMST 98a, b). Many students also pursue off-campus internships under the supervision of a faculty member (AMST 92a, b).
Additionally, the American studies department stresses the importance of studying America in comparison to other cultures; therefore, many of our students study abroad for a semester or full year (typically the junior year) in England, Scotland, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Australia and Israel. Each year, we bring returning travelers together to share the lessons learned from studying America from a foreign perspective.
Also available are excellent domestic programs at other universities, such as the internship/study programs in American politics at American University in Washington, D.C.