American Studies Field Group

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Sponsored by the five undergraduate Claremont Colleges, American Studies is a multidisciplinary major that encourages students to think critically and creatively about culture in the United States.

13+ Subject Disciplines

Our American Studies field group is composed of faculty experts from a wide variety of subject disciplines.

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At Pitzer College, Field Groups (similar to a discipline or department) organize major requirements and courses.

The American Studies Program is coordinated by an intercollegiate faculty whose aim is to introduce students to the complexity of the American experience. Majors take courses in a variety of disciplines such as literature, history, ethnic studies, sociology, anthropology, political science, music, and the visual arts. 

In addition, majors take multidisciplinary courses that use materials from different disciplines to explore a particular issue in American life. The interdisciplinary approach to this major affords the student many career choices:

  • Graduate studies
  • Professions of law
  • Library science
  • Journalism
  • Business 
  • Museum curatorship

Department Goals & Objectives

  1. Students gain knowledge of the histories and cultures of the United States.
  2. Students gain an understanding of a wide range of methods across the disciplines.
  3. Students learn how to analyze a wide range of evidence (e.g., written texts, films, paintings, musical compositions, etc.).
  4. Students learn how to carry on research in American Studies effectively.
  5. Students learn how to communicate effectively about the histories and cultures of the United States in both written and oral forms.
  6. Students attain the skills and knowledge necessary for graduate study or a career in American Studies or a related field.

 

American Studies Program

Visit the American Studies Program page to learn more about major requirements, learning objectives, and student stories. 

American Studies Program

American Studies Advisers

faculty portrait of bill anthem
Bill Anthes
  • Professor of Art
  • Art Field Group

Avery 222

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Professor Todd Honma
Todd Honma
  • Professor of Asian American Studies
  • Asian American Studies Field Group

Scott Hall 200B

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Photo of Susan Phillips
Susan Phillips
  • Professor of Environmental Analysis
  • Environmental Analysis Field Group

Scott Hall 232

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Claudia Strauss
  • Jean M. Pitzer Professor of Anthropology
  • Anthropology Field Group

Fletcher 230

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Suyapa Portillo Villeda
  • Professor of Chicano/a-Latino/a Transnational Studies

Scott Hall 221

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Urmi Willoughby
  • Associate Professor of History
  • History Field Group

Scott Hall 205

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