American Studies

Culture is a complex system. It is shaped by its history, its arts, its social, religious, economic and political structures, its environment and its technologies. The American Studies minor allows students to explore the many dimensions of the American experience by bringing together the tools from a variety of disciplines.

The program is designed to expose students to a variety of different disciplinary perspectives on American culture, yet allows them to select the tools and the questions about culture that are most compelling to them.

Along the way, they may just discover how other disciplines like Economics and Anthropology offer unexpectedly relevant and exciting insights into the questions that matter most to them.

Interested in …

… studying Popular culture?

⇒ Emphasize courses in Art, English and Communication

… exploring Social Justice?

⇒ Emphasize work in Sociology, Political Science and Economics

… examining Religion in American Culture?

⇒ Emphasize classes in Religion, English and History.

… pursuing graduate work in American Studies?

⇒ Combine your AMS minor with a major in History or English.

 

Spring Term at Alma is a one-month immersion on a single academic topic that offers learning experiences not typically available during the more traditional 15-week fall and winter terms. For example, during Spring Term 2012, students observed lizards in Bermuda, studied modern economic development in India, performed dance in Taiwan, examined renewable energy in Europe and investigated medicinal plants in the Amazon rainforest.

 

Faculty Profile

Dr. Laura von Wallmenich
Departments: English, American Studies

Laura von Wallmenich knew Alma College was the right fit as soon as she stepped on campus for her interview.

The assistant professor of English and chair of the American Studies program earned her undergraduate degree from Colby College, so she knew she wanted to work in a small liberal arts atmosphere.