费尔菲尔德大学

Master of Arts in American Studies engages the idea of America as it has been culturally imagined and contested throughout history, both within and beyond U.S. national borders. As an interdisciplinary course of study, the program draws upon the expertise of full-time faculty members representing nine departments and programs: Black studies; English; history; philosophy; politics; sociology; religious studies; women, gender, & sexuality studies; and the visual & performing arts.

The program consists of one core course that provide a general introduction to American Studies, followed by eight elective courses that broaden the scope of the offerings, and an individualized graduate project developed with a faculty mentor to meet your intellectual and career goals. This built-in flexibility allows you to specialize in a particular field or pursue a broad scope of the American experience. Additionally, you’ll be able to find career inspiration in our advantageous location in the “academic corridor”—a cultural hub between New York and New Haven for libraries, museums, theaters, art galleries, and historic sites.

The American Studies program at Fairfield University engages students in the idea of America as it has been culturally imagined and contested throughout history, both within and beyond U.S. national borders. As part of this engagement, the program explores the idea of America within cultural contexts such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, legal status, environment, and class. At the same time, the program challenges students to think about the processes by which these contexts have shaped America and its identities. Students also consider their own place, engagement, and responsibilities as participants in the unfolding narratives of America within a global context.

Learning Objectives

Students will engage the idea of America by framing questions for research and inquiry
Students will distinguish, summarize, and synthesize the idea of America through the intersections of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, legal status, environment, and class.
Students will critically analyze and interpret cultural artifacts using interdisciplinary theories and methodologies, and discipline-specific knowledge.
Students will construct oral arguments and generate debate as they evaluate the processes that shape and reshape America and its identities.