bigblue17

How is the American Studies program regarded at Wesleyan? Is it a good major? Is it perceived as easy or hard?


Thanks.

johnwesley

American Studies is extremely well respected at Wesleyan; it is one of the principal beneficiaries of the same reforms, instituted under the administration of Dr. Victor Lloyd Butterfield, that created the College of Social Studies and the College of Letters. It is another wonderful example of an interdisciplinary approach to a subtle and complex field of study, one that takes into account literature, art, and cultural anthropology. it is perhaps the oldest of the "area studies" departments at Wesleyan.

American Studies got off to a strong start with the promotion of Richard Slotkin to a full professorship in the 1970s. He put Wesleyan on the map as a leader in the "myth and symbol" movement for nearly forty years, until his retirement about three years ago. His seminal works, "Regeneration Through Violence" and "Gunfigher Nation" are still in print and obtainable on Amazon.:

http://www.amazon.com/Regeneration-T.../dp/0806132299
http://www.amazon.com/Gunfighter-Nat.../dp/0806130318

He has been replaced by another "myth and symbol" man with strong academic credentials, Joel Pfister, Kenan Professor of the Humanities.

Meanwhile, the department has been augmented with ties to strong departments in Latin American Studies, Queer Studies, African and African American Studies, and of course, Wesleyan's incomparable Film Studies Dept.

bigblue17

From speaking to other students and reading online, it seems to me like a degree in American Studies isn't as well-regarded as other majors. While it may be an excellent program at Wesleyan, students view it as an easy major that leaves little prospects for after graduation. Is this true? Are career options limited? How do employers view an American Studies major?

Pickwick

Which employers? What is your field of interest?

bigblue17

Something related to the arts/media/design/technology. Maybe a start-up, gallery/museum, PR firm, artist/talent agency, etc.

dcsmiss

I think a stigma exists for all "studies" majors, rather than American studies specifically. "Studies" majors are perceived by many as easier, warranted or not. Regardless of the stigma, a degree from an institution like Wesleyan could make up for perceived easiness with potential employers. There is also the option of double majoring.

johnwesley

Home, East Asian Studies - Wesleyan University

johnwesley

Slotkin is still active:
The McClellan Problem - NYTimes.com

johnwesley

'Antietam' Dissects Strategies Of North And South : NPR

morganhil

As a long-time recruiter, HR executive and now executive coach, I have never regarded a major that includes the word "studies" negatively. Typically students who have interdisciplinary majors are just as if not more academically motivated than your standard major, in part because a senior thesis or capstone project has often been required. I have found that such students can really energize a job interview when they get into a discussion about the projects that ignited their passion while in college. They stand out from others because their knowledge base is broader and they often demonstrate the ability to connect the dots and see patterns among seemingly unrelated concepts or activities. This is the stuff of which creativity is born.

Professor Slotkin, who Johnwesley references, was well known at Wesleyan as an inspiring and articulate teacher, and a gifted thinker.

One thing you should always expect from Wesleyan is innovative approaches to education that are not just different, but are also, and more importantly, rigorous and useful.

American Studies is a great major and if you look into the Wesleyan curriculum on its website you will be astounded by the depth and range of this program.

If your major at Wesleyan has the word "studies", believe me, you will "study" quite hard. I say this as a proud graduate of the College of Social Studies, which propelled me rapidly into grad school in a discipline that was very unrelated to what I had studied at Wesleyan because Wesleyan taught me how to think quickly in patterns.

Maybe some American Studies majors can join in our conversation to give some recent examples.

meemomee

On an average how many students major in American Studies at Wesleyan?