American Studies (BA)

College of Arts and Sciences

Program Website

Program Description

The American Studies major invites students to think critically about the meaning of “America” both at home and abroad. Through an array of classes across multiple disciplinary fields—from literature and art to history, law and sociology—students draw upon diverse methods and perspectives in their study of the United States, including its lands, waters and peoples as well as its borderlands and imperial outposts. In American Studies, we do not take the shape of the United States for granted, but rather encourage students to uncover the contested definitions and interpretations of this place and to explore the connections between America and the rest of the world.

Because American Studies majors learn to synthesize knowledge in ways that help them develop the skills needed for rigorous, complex analysis in and beyond the university, graduates of the program often go on to careers in digital and broadcast media, law, medicine, and publishing. Most importantly, though our Faculty and students study a whole host of different issues and ideas, we are all united by a shared interest in America itself. This means we are a big tent, and so whatever it is you want to learn and research about the United States, there will be a place for you in American Studies.

Academic Standards

Declaring the Major

  • Complete the American Studies Major Application.
  • Meet with the Director of Undergraduate Studies or the AMST Undergraduate Coordinator, to discuss an affiliated faculty advisor, is recommended but not required.

Honors Program

Beginning with graduates in the 2026-2027 academic year, Latin Honors will be awarded at the college level, and the department will award only one level of Honors in American Studies. 

  • Candidates must maintain an average of B+ in courses pertinent to the major and have taken at least one course in which they wrote a research paper.

  • During the second semester of their junior year, the student must identify an appropriate thesis topic and find an American Studies faculty member willing to sponsor and supervise the research. The advisor and at least the general subject of the thesis must be identified by the May 1 deadline for the application for admission to the Honors Program.
  • Upon approval, students will be provided a permission number in August to enroll in AMST 4993 Honors Essay Tutorial I . In November of their senior year, a first reader from American Studies affiliated faculty, is identified in consultation with the thesis advisor.
  • At the end of their first semester of their senior year, candidates must meet with their faculty advisor and the first reader to discuss their progress. Students must have completed either a substantial prospectus of the thesis or an introductory chapter. If satisfactory, the student will be provided a permission number in January to enroll in AMST 4994 Honors Essay Tutorial II .
  • The submission of the final thesis of approximately 50 – 60 pages is submitted to the American Studies program (american_studies@cornell.edu) by the mid-April deadline. Students must then arrange for an oral exam with their advisor and first reader before final exams begin.
  • The decision to award honors is made in individual written reports by the student’s thesis advisor and the designated affiliated faculty member.