BA/MA in American Studies and RESD

Students in the American Studies Program are eligible to participate in a five-year BA/MA degree program, earning the Master of Arts degree in Regional Economic and Social Development (RESD). Participation in this program does not alter the basic requirements for the degree in American Studies, but will afford those students who are interested an opportunity to participate in an accelerated degree program.

In order to participate in this program, a student must declare his or her intention to do so and then meet with both Professor Holladay (American Studies) and Professor Moss or Professor Tilly (RESD) to review requirements and progress toward the joint degree.

A student who elects this degree option will still take:

• 40.248 Values in American Culture
• Two 300 level American history courses
• A course in research methods
• 40.401 American Studies Seminar or 40.491 Directed Study

Each major will also select either the traditional major or the thematic option.  All students are also encouraged to do a practicum. The current major requires a minimum of 30 credits in American Studies (though a student may count up to 45 for the major) and 120 credits total for the BA.

To pursue the BA/MA option:
The student who chooses the BA/MA option will take an additional six credits in 500 level courses from RESD as part of the undergraduate major and will take another six credits of 500 level courses as free electives, presenting a total of 126 credits toward the BA. The twelve credits taken at the 500 level will also count toward the student's MA degree. 

To acquire the total of 12 credits, students must take at least two of the following three courses:

• 57.503 Work, Technology and Training
• 57.511 Dynamics of Power and Authority
• 57.513 Foundations of Comparative Regional Development 
  
  And one or two additional courses from among the following:
  
• 57.502 Work, Technology and Society
• 57.504 Gender Differences at Work
• 57.514 Community Mapping
• 57.515 Politics and Economics of Public Policy
• 57.518 Comparative Environmental Studies

In addition, students are advised to include the following courses as general education/major/free elective courses:

• 49.201 Economics I
• 49.202 Economics II
• 49.304 Macro Economic Theory (accepted as an AS course)
• 49.310 Economic Development
• 48.101 Intro to Sociology
• 48.321 Social Theory (accepted as an AS course)
• 46.101 Intro to American Politics
• 46.112 Intro to Comparative Political Systems

For more information, contact American Studies coordinator Hilary Holladay or in RESD, Philip Moss.

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