American Studies

The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences offers a BA and a BGS, as well as a graduate certificate, a MA, and a PhD in American Studies, an interdisciplinary program in which students think critically about the many institutional and cultural meanings of America, popular culture, and society. You will be studying such topics as film, jazz, literature, visual culture, gender, race and religion. American Studies investigates America in the past and present and considers the profound impact of diversity on society and addresses differential power structures in American life.

American Studies Department website

Sample of Related Skills

Encourage an appreciation and respect for cultural diversity in societies
Understand the diversity of people, cultures, and experiences that have shaped the past and present United States
Promote greater equality for all, regardless of sexual preference or socioeconomic status
Promote justice and civic engagement
Organize and lead policy changes
Navigate difficult national conversations concerning ethnic and race relations

Popular Career Paths

Education: Involves a wide range of possibilities including elementary education all the way up the Higher education professor. Communication skills are very important in this career path.

Writing: Writers and editors traditionally with an American Studies degree focus on historical books, editing governmental documents, or journalism as a career path

Law: There are several options within this career path including becoming a lawyer, paralegal, or policy maker at all levels of government. Usually certification and more education are needed to follow this career path.

Research: The ability to utilize your analytical skills within such places as museums, all levels of government, and historical organizations.

Business: The ability to be able to read and understand historical trends is very important in most businesses, especially those that deal with markets of high demand. Usually you acquire many skill sets within the business profession including advertising, marketing, and business communication.

Library Science: Being able to handle and process documents and archiving them in an organizational fashion is the basics of what this career field offers. Attention to detail is the most important part of the career.

Jobs to Consider

Places to Seek Employment

Community Colleges
Corporate Businesses
Historical Organizations
Visitors Bureaus
Granting Agencies
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Public Relations Firms
Law Firms
Libraries
Museums
Nonprofit Organizations
TV/Radio/Print News Agencies
Public and Private Universities
Publishing Companies
Insurance Companies
Public and Private Middle/High Schools
Federal, State and Local Government Agencies

Explore More Career Resources

American Alliance of Museums - Resources related to managing a career in museums

American Historical Association - Job and career information for historians and PhD programs to apply for

American Library Association - Scholarships, education, and employment links for students interested in a career as a librarian

Internships USA - Lists of internships by industry including Washington Internships in Law and Policy, The Human Rights Internship Book, and The Museum Internship Book

Smithsonian Institute Internships - Gives information on what internships are available, how to apply, and the experience they expect you to get out of an internship at the Smithsonian Institute

The Urban Institute - The Urban Institute is a non partisan economic and social policy research organization and offers internships and job opportunities for those interested

Fund for American Studies - Interactive website for students interested in learning more about internships and the American form of government

Kansas University American Studies Department Resources - All the resources the KU department website offers including several links to publications dedicated to the field