The graduate program in American Studies
centers on a core of courses focused on the contested meanings of culture, citizenship,
democracy, community, politics, race, and gender in the United States. We offer
a flexible program of study designed to introduce students to various interdisciplinary
approaches to historical analysis and to enable students to undertake their
own research projects. Faculty specializations include comparative race and
ethnicity, literature and history, popular culture, ethnic literatures, women's
history, cultural studies, American popular music, family history, labor and
social protest movements.
Students enter the program from a variety of backgrounds and pursue a broad range of goals. Some are recent college graduates; others are students returning to school after having been out of school for a number of years. Some have been residing in the Boston area; others have applied from undergraduate colleges around the country or have come as foreign exchange students. Some hope to ultimately pursue PhDs and positions in university teaching, others plan to teach at the secondary or community college level. Some desire educational enhancement for positions currently held, others seek career changes or personal enrichment. All share a background of accomplishment and a desire to explore the diversity of American culture.
This handbook affords prospective applicants an overview of the program and includes information about current procedures and opportunities.
Judith E. Smith
Graduate Program Director, American Studies
617-287-6774
Shauna Lee Manning
Program Assistant
617-287-6770