Introduction to the Major
American Studies is an interdisciplinary major that provides undergraduates the opportunity to study American history, identity, culture, politics, media, and the built environment. The major offers intensive, individualized faculty advising and mentorship to help students tap into the enormous and varied resources of Berkeley to tackle the question of what is “American” about America. Our courses integrate subjects, methods, and materials from across campus, including the humanities, the social sciences, and the professional schools.
"I loved having the flexibility of being able to take some of the best classes from some of the best professors and being able to apply a breadth of knowledge from different disciplines."
- Catherine Ladd, Class of 2018
The Major Curriculum
American Studies majors develop individual concentrations that focus on specific issues relating to U.S. culture, politics, economy, environment, and media. Students are able to draw on a broad spectrum of fields of knowledge, including law, business, ecology, geography, political economy, public policy, architecture, performance, and ethnic, gender, and urban studies. Designed around the axes of “time,” “place,” and material culture, we teach students how to ask and answer scholarly questions and how to design and execute a capstone senior thesis project.
Amplify Your Major
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Take a student-run DeCal course like AMERSTD 98: Deconstructing America: Mythology and Hidden History.
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Explore America in the world through study abroad
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Attend a California American Studies Association event.
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Apply for a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship to support your senior thesis.
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Challenge yourself with an American Studies honors seminar and experience individual research mentorship.
First Year
Explore Your Major
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Meet with faculty, major and college advisor to discuss academic plans.
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Review the American Studies website and student handbook, and research possible concentrations
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Enroll in AMERSTD 10 & other lower division prerequisites now or before your third year.
Connect and Build Community
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Get 1:1 mentoring with Berkeley Connect from graduate students in fields like History or English
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Find study groups, tutoring, and academic support at the Student Learning Center
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Enroll in UGIS 98: College Success in L&S.
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Participate in Cal Day at the American Studies table.
Discover Your Passions
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Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar
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Take a student-run DeCal course such as AMERSTD 98: Deconstructing America: Mythology and Hidden History.
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Visit the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarships.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Attend the Calapalooza student activities fair and get involved with a student organization.
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Find service opportunities through the Public Service Center
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Explore study, internship, and research abroad options with Berkeley Study Abroad
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Visit Berkeley Career Engagement and the Career Counseling Library
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Develop a plan for getting career ready.
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Sign up for Handshake and CareerMail
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Check out career resources for interests within American Studies related to social impact, international relations, and communications.
Second Year
Explore Your Major
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Review your degree progress/courses with a faculty advisor and plan your concentration.
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Complete lower division prerequisites and declare the major (required when you complete 60 units).
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Consider enrolling in a “Time” or “Place” course.
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Complete any prerequisites for your concentration courses.
Connect and Build Community
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Join a student organization like Multicultural Community Center or UC Berkeley Public Service Center
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Meet faculty and students at the American Studies Spring Conference.
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Participate in Cal Day at the American Studies table.
Discover Your Passions
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Enroll in a Sophomore Seminar, Big Ideas Course or Discovery Course
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Assist faculty in their research through URAP
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Attend the annual American Studies spring colloquium.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Contribute to a community organization with an American Cultures Engaged Scholarship course
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Get involved with a service-learning program like Alternative Breaks or BUILD.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Meet with a Career Educator to discuss your career options and goals.
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Explore career fields through the Career Connections Series or Cal Job Shadow Program
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Learn about graduate and professional school
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Think about doing an internship and attending an internship fair.
Third Year
Explore Your Major
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Focus on upper division requirements in your concentration.
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Review your degree progress with your faculty, major and college advisors.
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Browse American Studies graduate profiles for thesis abstracts.
Connect and Build Community
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Connect with other students and alumni in the American Studies Alumni group on LinkedIn.
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Welcome new students to UC Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader
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Participate in Cal Day at the American Studies table.
Discover Your Passions
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Find research and funding opportunities in the OURS database
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Consider applying to the Haas Scholars Program or SURF
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Talk to your professors about which of your research papers to submit for the Library Prize.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Experience life at another UC or college on a visitor and exchange program
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Study and intern in Washington D.C. with UCDC or Cal in the Capital
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Consider a Berkeley Global Internship in the United States or abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
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Discuss post-graduate options with advisors and professors.
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Ask for recommendation letters and take any exams required for graduate school.
Fourth Year
Explore Your Major
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Review your degree progress with your faculty, major and college advisors
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Do a degree check to ensure you are on track to graduate and complete any remaining major, college, and campus requirements.
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Complete your senior thesis.
Connect and Build Community
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Join a professional association such as the American Studies Association or the California American Studies Association
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Connect with alumni groups and build your network as you prepare to graduate.
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Participate in Cal Day at the American Studies table.
Discover Your Passions
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Teach your own DeCal course
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Submit your work to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal and get it published.
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Keep pursuing your interests through a fellowship or gap year after graduation.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Hone your leadership skills with the Peter E. Haas Public Service Leaders program
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Explore service opportunities after graduation, such as the Peace Corps or U.S. Department of State.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Check out profiles of American Studies graduates for post-graduate inspiration.
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Utilize job board tools in your job search.
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Meet employers at Employer Info Sessions and On-Campus Recruiting
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Apply to jobs, graduate school, and other opportunities.
Jobs and Employers
- Asst. Editor, Skybridge College Consulting
- Assoc. Professor, UW-Madison
- Behavior Therapist, Juvo
- Chief Resident in Emergency Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital
- Corporate Account Executive, GitHub
- Foreign Service Officer, U.S. Department of State
- Founder, OIM Records
- Graphic Designer, AQUIS
- Health Educator, Public Health Institute
- Housing Specialist, City of Vallejo
- Project Manager, Orton Development
- Real Estate Associate, CBRE
- Program Director, KALW
- Sales Development, TripActions
- Scholarship Coord., Heart of Los Angeles
- Senior Financial Consultant, Charles Schwab
- Solutions Engineer, Mapbox
- Technical Writer, Cognizant
- Transportation Planner, City of Oakland
Graduate Programs
- American Studies, PhD
- History, Master’s
- Journalism, Master’s
- Law, JD
- Physical Therapy, DPT
- Public Health, Master’s
Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students.
Events
Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit as.ugis.berkeley.edu for news and updates.
Advising
Students can contact the major advisor to schedule an appointment or ask questions at amerstd@berkeley.edu
How to Use this Map
Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.
