Subfields in American Studies
American Studies, perhaps more than other academic fields due to its interdisciplinary nature, has a wide variety of subfields. Although most undergraduates pursue more generalized studies aside from their thesis area, graduate and post-graduate students, as well as practicing scholars, each select their own subfield(s) in which to specialize. Some of the most common include:
History: American history from the Colonial period to present; history of American domestic and foreign policy; history of ethnic and social minorities
Culture: American literary movements; American film and media; American fine arts; health and physical culture in America
Economics: History of American capitalism; American labor relations; American consumerism; the so-called welfare state in America
Sociology: American cultural and societal norms; American social disorder and dysfunction; American social traditions
Anthropology: Diversity of American language and dialect; American family units; religious rites in America
History: American history from the Colonial period to present; history of American domestic and foreign policy; history of ethnic and social minorities
Women's Studies: Women's role in American history and civilization; oppression of American women by social and political forces
ALANA Studies: Experiences and issues of the African-American, Latina/o, Asian, and Native American communities in America
Politics: Foreign and domestic American policy; American state and local governance; democratic thought and application in America