2025-2026 General Catalog
Source: https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/departments-programs-degrees/american-studies/american-studies-ab/ Parent: https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/departments-programs-degrees/#programsanddegreestext
The Major
American Studies provides an excellent, broad education in the liberal arts. American Studies majors create an emphasis devoted to the close study of social and cultural issues crucial to the practice of American Studies. Advanced work in at least two other departments or programs allows each student to study areas tailored to their own individual education goals. Sample emphases include Youth Education, Social Justice and Social Movements; Popular Culture; Comparative Racial and Ethnic Studies; Nature, Culture and the Environment; Militarism and Incarceration; Queer and Trans Studies; Disability, Health, and Illness; and Food and Culture. Students have the option of writing a senior thesis or completing a creative capstone project, are encouraged to study abroad or participate in other forms of global education, and are encouraged to explore new career possibilities through internships—all of which can count toward the major units with permission of the advisor.
Career Alternatives
As an interdisciplinary major, American Studies offers students the choice of a variety of subject matter and approaches. This flexibility means that graduates are prepared to move into a broad range of career settings. Our alumni have become lawyers, teachers, social workers, urban planners, software engineers, filmmakers, professors, professional writers and comedians, marketing and communications professionals, librarians, museum curators, community organizers, and non-profit staff and leaders.
Global Education & Study Abroad
Majors are encouraged to study abroad or engage in domestic opportunities off-campus; such as the UC Washington Program, internships, and many other opportunities. Major requirements can be fulfilled with up to eight units from study abroad or other domestic off-campus opportunities with the permission of the undergraduate advisor.
Faculty Advisor
Major Advisor
American Studies Advising; ams-advising@ucdavis.edu or 530-752-6429.
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