The American Studies program promotes meaningful thinking and dialogue about the United States. Students learn about the United States as a cultural and geo-political entity by using multiple disciplinary perspectives such as history, literature, art, music, sociology, anthropology, political science, religion, and economics, as well as interdisciplinary courses offered by the American Studies program. The program’s focus on cultural patterns helps students to “read” any culture they encounter — the culture of business, the culture of education, the culture of home – and to act effectively and responsibly within it.
The American Studies major will not be available to students enrolling in St. Olaf after fall 2018. As the major is being phased out, the required Introduction to American Studies course is offered for the final time Spring Semester 2019.