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Degree, Minors and Certificates Offered

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Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees from the Colleges of Arts and Sciences

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Departments

American Studies

College of Arts and Humanities
Moore 324
1890 East-West Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-8570
Fax: (808) 956-4733
Email: amstuh@hawaii.edu
Web: manoa.hawaii.edu/amst/

Faculty

*Graduate Faculty

*D. Stannard, PhD (Chair)—social and cultural history, race and racism, colonialism and genocide
*W. Chapman, PhD—historic preservation
*E. Colwill, PhD—gender, slavery, and Revolution in the Atlantic world
*J. Eagle, PhD—film/media, gender studies, U.S. cultural history
*V. Gonzalez, PhD—American empire, tourism and militarism, gender and sexuality, ethnic and cultural studies
*N. Kahanu, JD—public humanities and Native Hawaiian programs
*K. Kosasa, PhD—visual and cultural studies, museum studies, critical pedagogy
*L. J. Mariano, PhD—Filipino American studies, diaspora studies, Asian American studies
*B. McDougall, PhD—indigenous studies, literary studies
*D. Ogawa, PhD—intercultural and Japanese American studies
*R. Perkinson, PhD—southern and western history, race and class, crime and punishment, American empire
*K. Sands, PhD—religion in America, religion and law, women in religion, Christian history, theory of religion
*J. Stanton, PhD—culture and arts
*M. Yoshihara, PhD—U.S. cultural history, U.S.-Asian relations, Asian American studies, literary and cultural studies, gender studies

Cooperating Graduate Faculty

K. Ng, PhD—religion in America, religion and law, Christian history, theory of religion

Affiliate Graduate Faculty

A. Kikumura-Yano, PhD—Japanese-American studies, Asian American studies, museum studies
K. Yamazato, PhD—American literature and culture

Degrees and Certificates Offered: BA (including minor) in American studies, MA in American studies (including dual AMST/MLISc MA), PhD in American studies, Graduate Certificate in Historic Preservation, Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies

The Academic Program

Since its inception in the 1930s, American Studies (AMST) has offered an integrated multidisciplinary exploration of the historical and contemporary American experience. This involves the study of American popular and high culture; environmental issues; institutional structures, including political and economic institutions; systems of thought and belief; and gender, ethnic, racial, and cross-cultural relationships. A combination of historical, literary, social-scientific, and other methodological approaches is used. In addition to such traditional aims, American studies at UH Manoa also explores the role of Hawai'i, the Pacific, Asia, and, to a lesser extent, other parts of the world within the American experience, an objective that imparts a cross-cultural dimension to its program and differentiates it significantly from most other programs in the field.

At the undergraduate level, American studies offers a balanced general education experience, as well as excellent preparation for both advanced study in the field and professional studies ranging from law to travel industry management. Advanced degrees are intended primarily as preparation for college and university-level teaching, but recipients are also engaged in such activities as journalism, library management, business administration, and government service. A dual MA can be taken in cooperation with the Library and Information Science Program. In addition to regular degrees, graduate certificates are offered in historic preservation and museum studies.

Affiliations

The department is affiliated with the American Studies Association, American Association of Museums, Hawai'i Museums Association, National Council of Preservation Education, and National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Advising

The undergraduate advisor advises all undergraduate majors, and the graduate chair advises all graduate students.

Undergraduate Study

Bachelor’s Degree

Requirements

Students must complete 30 credit hours, including:

21 credit hours of AMST upper division courses, including AMST 381, 382, 480, and 481 or 482 (one lower division course may now be counted)
9 remaining credit hours may include upper division courses in either AMST courses and/or allied humanities and social sciences courses (no more than 3 credit hours of 499 may be counted). These courses must be approved by the undergraduate advisor or be listed in the "pre-approved" allied course list on the department website.

For information on a Bachelor Degree Program Sheet, go to www.manoa.hawaii.edu/ovcaa/programsheets/.

Minor Requirements

Students must complete 15 credit hours, including:

AMST 381 and 382
9 credit hours of 300- or 400-level American studies electives

Graduate Study

Application Requirements

Applicants for graduate programs should present an academic record indicating a broad range of study in the humanities and the social sciences with an emphasis on American culture. In addition to the admission requirements of the Graduate Division, the applicant should have a copy of his or her latest GRE scores, Graduate Program Supplemental Information form, Statement of Objectives, and at least two letters of recommendation sent directly to the department. Each letter of recommendation should have the "Waiver of Access to Confidential Letters/Statements" form attached to it. PhD applicants are also required to submit a writing sample, preferably a paper that was written for a graduate course. Applications for graduate admission are considered for either fall (September-December) or spring (January-May) semester. Application deadlines for local and mainland applicants are: February l for fall; September l for spring. Application deadlines for foreign applicants are: January 15 for fall; August 1 for spring. There is no summer admission to advanced degree programs in the Graduate Division. There is an application fee.

Proficiency in a foreign language is not required unless it is necessary for dissertation research. Students having a special career interest in Asia may select courses offered in the Asian studies program to satisfy some degree requirements in American studies.

Courses for the graduate program are to be selected from among the courses listed in the back of the Catalog, from appropriate American studies graduate courses and upper division and graduate courses in related fields. Consent of the departmental graduate chair is required for enrollment in all undergraduate courses and all graduate courses in other fields. The courses listed in the back of the Catalog are numbered and grouped as follows: 500, Master's Plan B/C Studies; 600–609, introductory courses; 610–689, fields of study courses; 690–699, special topics courses; and 700–800, thesis and dissertation research. AMST 500V, 699V, 700V, and 800V are offered each semester; AMST 600, 601 and 602 are offered annually, and most other 600-level courses are offered once every three years.

Master’s Degree

MA candidates are expected to possess the BA degree and have a background knowledge of American culture.

Requirements

MA students may select either the Plan A or Plan B program. Students must complete 33 credit hours as follows:

Plan A (Thesis)

6 credit hours of AMST 700
18 credit hours in courses numbered 600 and above, including AMST 600, 601, 602 and a graduate seminar course
9 credit hours in a chosen field of specialization
oral examination

Plan B (Non-thesis)

18 credit hours in courses numbered 600 and above, including AMST 600, 601, 602 and a graduate seminar course
15 credit hours in a chosen field of specialization
written and oral examinations

More specific requirements are detailed on the American studies website at: manoa.hawaii.edu/amst.

Doctoral Degree

PhD candidates are expected to possess the MA degree in American studies or its equivalent and should have a scholarly attainment of a high order and widespread intellectual interests. In most instances, admission to the PhD program requires applicants to possess an MA degree. However, occasionally an applicant with a BA and exceptionally strong credentials may be admitted directly into the doctoral program.

Requirements

Students must complete 48 credit hours including:

18 credit hours in courses numbered 600 and above, including AMST 600, 601 and 602 and a graduate seminar course
30 credit hours in a chosen field of specialization

Students must also complete:

A qualifying examination consisting of two written parts covering the two areas of specialized fields of student's choice and an advanced graduate syllabus followed by an oral examination dealing with all three areas
An oral comprehensive examination administered by the dissertation committee
A dissertation of high quality and its successful oral defense

Certificate

Graduate Certificate in Historic Preservation

Candidates for the Certificate in Historic Preservation must possess a BA degree. The Certificate in Historic Preservation combines course work and applied experience.

Requirements

Students must complete 15 credit hours of graduate course work:

3 credit hours of ANTH 645, Historic Preservation
3 credit hours of AMST 675, Preservation: Theory and Practice
3 credit hours of AMST 695, Historic Preservation Practicum
6 credit hours in field of specialization

A maximum of 6 credit hours may be applied simultaneously to the historic preservation certificate and to another degree. Internships are usually undertaken with local firms and organizations that have a preservation interest or with individuals who are qualified to direct independent work in preservation. The program concludes with a formal colloquium presentation. More information is available on the Historic Preservation Program's website at manoa.hawaii.edu/amst/historic-preservation/the-field/.

Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies

Candidates for the Certificate in Museum Studies must possess a BA degree. The Museum Studies Graduate Certificate Program provides an opportunity to learn about museums, acquire professional experience, and develop research skills.

Requirements

Students must complete 18 credit hours of graduate course work:

3 credit hours of AMST 683, Museums: Theory, History, Practice
3 credit hours of AMST 684, Museums and Collections
3 credit hours of AMST 685, Museums and Education
3 credit hours of AMST 686, Museum Studies Practicum
6 credit hours of electives

A maximum of 6 credit hours may be applied simultaneously to the Museum Studies Certificate and to another degree. Internships are usually undertaken with local museums and related institutions or organizations and under the direction of a supervisor qualified to direct independent work in a museum related project. The program concludes with a formal colloquium presentation. For more information, see manoa.hawaii.edu/amst/museum-studies/about-museum-studies/.

AMST Courses

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Please note: This Catalog was prepared to provide information and does not constitute a contract. The University reserves the right to change or delete, supplement or otherwise amend at any time and without prior notice the information, requirements and policies contained in this Catalog.