Courses - Spring 2023
AMST101
Credit only granted for: AMST101 or AMST201.
Formerly: AMST201.
Introduces students to the interdisciplinary field of American Studies by examining concepts such as culture, identity, cultural practices, and globalization, as well as theories underlying these concepts. Engages key themes, especially constructions of difference and identity, cultures of everyday life, and America and the world.
AMST202
Cultures of Everyday Life in America
Examine the structures and patterns of everyday life in the U.S., utilizing methods such as ethnography, oral history, survey research, and textual, visual, and material cultural analysis.
AMST205
AMST210
Introduction to Ethnography
A qualitative research method course used to study social worlds communities, cultures, institutions, and other social groups from the perspectives of the people who inhabit those social worlds. Ethnographic research involves understanding cultural traditions from an insider's perspective by studying the everyday lives of people steeped in those traditions.
AMST213
Cross-listed with: CINE282.
Credit only granted for: AMST213, HONR219F, CINE282 or FILM298V.
Formerly: HONR219F, FILM298V.
We will examine the complex, changing, and ever-present representations of heroes and villains in American film. Beginning with a foundational understanding of how heroes and, conversely, villains have been defined through classic Hollywood film, we will explore how these definitions have shifted throughout the 20th and 21st century in various narrative genres, including westerns, war films, film noir, fantasy, science fiction, and, of course, superhero movies. In particular, we will be focusing on how the hero and villain maintain or disrupt specific cultural ideologies concerning race/ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and ability. This course will examine how these various ideologies have evolved throughout the 20th and 21st century, impacting the ways in which heroes and villains are both represented in American film and perceived by diverse audiences. Finally, we will examine our own complicated and sometimes troubling identification with these heroes, even when they might stand in stark contrast to our cultural values and identities.
AMST290
Shifting Sands: Constructing Cultural Mainstreams and Margins in the U.S.
Credit only granted for: AMST289A or AMST290.
Formerly: AMST289A.
Examines the construction, operation, and meaning of cultural mainstreams and margins in a range of contexts, spaces, and times in the U.S. Using a variety of primary sources, research methods, and interdisciplinary scholarship, we will explore how Americans make and assign meaning to cultural mainstreams and margins. We will examine how and why cultural margins and mainstreams shift over time and what their consequences have been for social policies, laws, power relations, and national identity.
Examines the construction, operation, and meaning of cultural mainstreams and margins in a range of contexts, spaces, and times in the U.S. Using a variety of primary sources, research methods, and interdisciplinary scholarship, we will explore how Americans make and assign meaning to cultural mainstreams and margins. We will examine how and why cultural margins and mainstreams shift over time and what their consequences have been for social policies, laws, power relations, and national identity.
AMST298C
Cross-listed with: AAST200.
Credit only granted for: AAST200 or AMST298C.
The aggregate experience of Asian Pacific Americans, from developments in the countries of origin to their contemporary issues. The histories of Asian Pacific American groups as well as culture, politics, the media, and stereotypes, viewed from an interdisciplinary perspective.
AMST298Q
Cross-listed with: ENGL235.
Credit only granted for: ENGL235 or AMST298Q.
Examines the poetry, prose, and theater of Latinx communities in the United States from their origins in the Spanish colonization of North America to their ongoing development in the 21st century. Considers how authors use literary form to gain insight into human experience, including mortality, religious belief, gender and sexuality, war and peace, family, language use, scientific inquiry, cultural tradition, ecology, and labor. Also studies how Latinx literary traditions have shaped and been shaped by broader currents in American literature, as well as what connections exist between Latinx literature and social and artistic developments in other parts of the world, particularly Latin America and the Caribbean. Authors may include Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, Eulalia Perez, Juan Nepomuceno Seguin, Maria Amparo Ruiz de Burton, Jose Marti, Arthur A. Schomburg, Jesus Colon, Julia de Burgos, Cesar Chavez, Ariel Dorfman, Gloria Anzaldua, Junot Diaz, and Cristina Garcia.
AMST310
Introduction to Comparative Ethnic and Racial Studies
Cross-listed with: AAST310.
Credit only granted for: AMST310, AAST398F, AAST310, or AMST328L.
Formerly: AMST328L and AAST398F.
Introduces students to the study of race and ethnicity in the United States. The class is organized according to the following five units: (1) Introduction; (2) Key concepts; (3) Mechanisms of racial formation; (4) Prevailing myths about race; and (5) Contemporary issues related to race and ethnicity. Through readings, film clips, and presentations, we will explore how the concept of race has developed and endured over time and become familiar with key concepts, such as "race" and "intersectionality". We will attempt to better understand how race is associated with other forms of difference, such as class, gender and ethnicity. We will identify and confront the prevailing myths about race and ethnicity in the United States. Finally, we examine the ways in which contemporary issues reveal the dynamics of race and ethnicity.
AMST324
Growing Up Asian American: The Asian Immigrant Family and the Second Generation
Cross-listed with: AAST394, IMMR394.
Credit only granted for: AAST394, AAST398E, AMST324, AMST328V, IMMR319G or IMMR394.
Formerly: AAST398E.
An interdisciplinary course examines the experiences of children of Asian immigrants in the U.S., focusing on intergenerational dynamics in the Asian immigrant family, their intersections with race, gender, class, sexuality, and religion, and how these shape second-generation Asian American life. Topics include identity and personhood, the model minority myth and education, work and leisure, language and communication, filiality and disownment, mental health and suicide.
AMST328D
Perspectives on Identity and Culture; Detention, Deportation and Displacement
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Cross-listed with USKT328D. Credit only granted for USLT328D or AMST328D.
This class explores Latinx communities' histories and experiences with displacement, detention, and deportation through an interdisciplinary approach centers people's lived experiences.
This class explores Latinx communities' histories and experiences with displacement, detention, and deportation through an interdisciplinary approach centers people's lived experiences.
AMST328K
Perspectives on Identity and Culture; Gender, Labor and Racial Indentities in Diaspora Communities
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
This course will expose students to a range of interdisciplinary perspectives, theories, and methodologies for exploring the intersectionality of gender, ethnicity, sexuality, and racial identities in multiple post-emancipation and modern African/Black diaspora communities. The class readings and discussions will examine the interactions and linkages between and among various African diaspora/descendant and native-born African American/Black peoples, from multiple vantage points, in different historical periods and movements in the U.S., Africa, the Caribbean, Latin American and Europe.
AMST328R
Perspectives on Identity and Culture; Fugitives, Colonists, Refugees: African Diasporic Place-Making in the Americas
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
This course will examine African Diasporic place-making practices in the Americas from the 1600s through the height and end of the U.S. Civil War. It will traverse key moments in U.S., Canadian and Atlantic World History such as the revolutionary war, the rise and fall of transatlantic slavery, the Haitian revolution, and African Colonization; all from the unique social position of African descended people, searching for a place where they can be "free."
AMST386
Experiential Learning
Credits:
3 - 6
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
Restriction: Permission of ARHU-American Studies department; and junior standing or higher.
AMST388
Honors Thesis
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg
AMST398
Independent Studies
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg
AMST418H
Cultural Themes in America; Cultural Themes in America-Honors
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg
Prerequisite: At least three credit hours of prior coursework in AMST.
AMST418K
Explores how representations of various geographic spaces in American film impact our understanding of community, identity, and place. In particular, we will think about how these spaces are culturally produced and changeable rather than static. The same space can hold diverse meanings for various groups of people and how such a space is represented in film is often wrapped up with issues of power, the reinforcement of stereotypes, and the creation of self/other dichotomies. By analyzing a variety of narrative, documentary, major studio, and independent films, we will seek to understand how American films' representations of rural, urban, and suburban spaces both reflect, contradict, and often influence our lived experiences of these spaces; in other words, this course will examine how the "reel" intersects with the "real".
AMST450
Seminar in American Studies
Prerequisite: AMST201 and AMST340; and 1 course in AMST.
Restriction: Senior standing; and must be in American Studies program.
Developments in theories and methods of American Studies scholarship, with emphasis upon interaction between the humanities and the social sciences in the process of cultural analysis and evaluation.
AMST498E
Special Topics in American Studies; Race and Reproduction
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
Cross-listed with AASP499C, SOCY498F, SOCY699B, WGSS498R, and WMST698R. Credit only granted for AASP499C, AMST498E, SOCY498F, SOCY699B, WGSS498R, and WMST698R.
This course extends abortion rights and its connection to gender, class and racial politics in which trace from institutionalized racism, colonialism, religion, and gender/racial inequality. Students will develop a historical, contemporary, and comparative understanding of race and reproductive policy. They will connect policing and survelliance within policy formation to witness the power behind bodily and population control on a national and global scale. Students will use data and methodology to examine these issues in policy and practice.
This course extends abortion rights and its connection to gender, class and racial politics in which trace from institutionalized racism, colonialism, religion, and gender/racial inequality. Students will develop a historical, contemporary, and comparative understanding of race and reproductive policy. They will connect policing and survelliance within policy formation to witness the power behind bodily and population control on a national and global scale. Students will use data and methodology to examine these issues in policy and practice.
AMST498G
Special Topics in American Studies; Latina/os on the Silver Screen
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
Cross-listed with USLT498A. Credit only granted for USLT498A or AMST498G.
Combining media theory and film history, this course considers the film industry s representation of Latines from the silent era to the present day. To begin, we examine mainstream images created by white Hollywood filmmakers during the twentieth century; the latter part of the course turns attention to self-representations in more recent cinema created by Latine cultural producers.
Combining media theory and film history, this course considers the film industry s representation of Latines from the silent era to the present day. To begin, we examine mainstream images created by white Hollywood filmmakers during the twentieth century; the latter part of the course turns attention to self-representations in more recent cinema created by Latine cultural producers.
AMST498M
Special Topics in American Studies; Black Musical Theatre: Theory and Practice
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
Cross-listed with AASP478F, TDPS408B, and THET608J. Credit only granted for TDPS408B, AASP478F, AMST498M, or THET608J.
What is B/black about Black musical theater? And, how can studying Black variety and musical revues help us shift our understanding of what constitutes "musical theater"? In this performance as research course we will study history and stage scenes and musical numbers using our bodies as learning edges to grasp and define Black musical theater. No musical theater experience necessary.
What is B/black about Black musical theater? And, how can studying Black variety and musical revues help us shift our understanding of what constitutes "musical theater"? In this performance as research course we will study history and stage scenes and musical numbers using our bodies as learning edges to grasp and define Black musical theater. No musical theater experience necessary.
AMST498P
Special Topics in American Studies; Race and Nation in Cinema
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
Cross-listed with USLT498C. Credit only granted for USLT498C or AMST498P.
Explores a century of representations of race and racism in US cinema, both via Hollywood s studio system and through more marginali (independent) productions. We examine film and identity through multiple methodological lenses, including film history, formalist critique, audiereception analysis, and film and media theory. Our focus will be the politics and poetics of racial exclusion and inclusion, power and resistance, and integration and separatism in shaping and defining the national imagined community.
Explores a century of representations of race and racism in US cinema, both via Hollywood s studio system and through more marginali (independent) productions. We examine film and identity through multiple methodological lenses, including film history, formalist critique, audiereception analysis, and film and media theory. Our focus will be the politics and poetics of racial exclusion and inclusion, power and resistance, and integration and separatism in shaping and defining the national imagined community.
AMST603
Current Approaches to American Studies
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Must be in one of the following programs (American Studies (Master's); American Studies (Doctoral)) . Or permission of ARHU-American Studies department; and permission of instructor.
Builds on AMST601 and explores contemporary literature, theory, and intellectual issues in American Studies.
AMST628C
Seminar in American Studies; Latinx Studies: The State of the Field
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud, S-F
AMST628E
Seminar in American Studies; Settler Colonial Theory
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud, S-F
AMST655
Introduction to Museum Scholarship
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Cross-listed with: ANTH655, HIST610, INST653.
Credit only granted for: AMST655, ANTH655, HIST610, INST728T or INST653.
Provides students a basic understanding of museums as cultural and intellectual institutions. Topics include the historical development of museums, museums as resources for scholarly study, and the museum exhibition as medium for presentation of scholarship.
AMST698
Directed Readings in American Studies
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg
AMST798
Non-Thesis Research
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
AMST799
Master's Thesis Research
Credits:
1 - 6
Grad Meth:
S-F
AMST856
Museum Research Seminar
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: AMST655, ANTH655, or HIST610.
Cross-listed with: ANTH856, HIST810, INST786.
Credit only granted for: AMST856, ANTH856, HIST810, INST728U or INST786.
A research seminar focusing on the practice and presentation of cultural and historical scholarship in museums and historical sites. Students will complete an original research project on the challenges and opportunities of public exhibition and interpretation of cultural and historical research.
Additional Note: Cross-listed with ANTH856, HIST810, INST728U. For the Spring 2101 semester, Credit only granted for: AMST856, ANTH856, HIST810 OR INST728U.
AMST857
Museum Scholarship Practicum
Credits:
3 - 6
Grad Meth:
Reg
Prerequisite: AMST856, ANTH856, or HIST810.
Restriction: Permission of Museum Scholarship Program required.
Cross-listed with: ANTH857, HIST811, INST787.
Credit only granted for: AMST857, ANTH857, HIST811, INST728I or INST787.
Students devise and carry out a research program using the collections at the Smithsonian Institution or some other cooperating museum, working under joint supervision of a museum professional and a university faculty member.
AMST878A
American Studies Pedagogy Mentoring; Mentoring for First Year Teaching in American Studies
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
S-F, Aud
AMST878B
American Studies Pedagogy Mentoring; Mentoring for Second Year Teaching in American Studies
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
S-F, Aud
AMST878C
American Studies Pedagogy Mentoring; Mentoring for Third Year Teaching in American Studies
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
S-F, Aud
AMST898
Pre-Candidacy Research
Credits:
1 - 8
Grad Meth:
Reg
AMST899
Doctoral Dissertation Research
Credits:
6
Grad Meth:
S-F
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University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
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