American Studies

The idea of America and the history of the United States: in American Studies, we work with this distinction by drawing from literature, history, philosophy, economics, sociology, political science, cultural studies, and the arts. We shed light on the experiences and cultures of people whose lives are shaped by the United States of America both here and around the world.

American Studies is an international field that embraces a critical orientation to the idea of America while learning about its history. Students examine and illuminate the widest possible range of peoples, experiences, conflicts, artistic expressions, and politics that together produce the complex phenomenon that we call American culture.

Areas of special interest include:

  • The environment
  • Native American Studies
  • African American Studies
  • LatinX Studies
  • Women's Studies
  • Studies in gender and sexuality and in popular culture

Students will think critically about the tropes of American exceptionalism while examining how generations of diverse peoples have demanded full access to the rights and privileges enshrined in the country's founding documents.

Evergreen graduates with an American Studies background have gone on to careers as professors, teachers, librarians, museum professionals, journalists, writers, and in public service.

Faculty Associated With This Field
Title Expertise
Ackley, Kristina Native American studies
Buchman, Andrew Music composition
Koppelman, Nancy American studies
Proctor, Bradley U.S. history, African American history, American studies
Rognas, Liza American history, information resources and library science
Selected Programs 2022-23
Title Class Standing Credits
"The Good War"? WWII and How It Shaped the Nation
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
8
A People's Epistemology: Shit You Should Know
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4, 8, 12, 16
Asylums: Institutions of Social Control in American History
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
8
Borders, Walls and Refugees in the Age of Climate Change
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
16
Capstone in Humanities
  • Junior
  • Senior
16
Gender and Sexuality History: 1800-Today
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
16
Therapy Through the Arts (Day)
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
8, 16
Therapy Through the Arts (Evening)
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
8, 16
Washington State Legislative Internships
  • Junior
  • Senior
16