About our Program

Teaching and research in the American Culture Studies Program fosters an interdisciplinary approach to the study of United States history, material culture, social life, literature, politics, arts, and popular culture in local, national, hemispheric, and global contexts. In keeping with the broader direction of American Studies, we prioritize a hemispheric approach that explores US relations with Latin America, Canada, and Indigenous nations. We prioritize experiential and site-based learning, and offer special opportunities to work in and with St. Louis communities and organizations. Students in AMCS are constantly encouraged to shape their study around questions that matter to them: questions about critical ethnic and Indigenous studies, environmental and racial justice, media and politics, education and equity, and many more. Our students have gone on to careers in law, public health, journalism, business, medicine, and creative arts.

We offer one major (American Culture Studies) and two minors (American Culture Studies and Asian American Studies) in our undergraduate program. We also have a dynamic community of Ph.D. Certificate Students drawn from departments across the humanities and social sciences. We host events—including our Americanist Dinner Forum series—and collaborate with colleagues across campus to generate lively, interdisciplinary dialogue. Come join us!