# Academics

**Source**: https://americanstudies.cornell.edu/academics
**Parent**: https://americanstudies.cornell.edu/undergraduate-minor

Exploring the American Past and Present

# Academics

As an American Studies major, you’ll study in an interdisciplinary program, exploring themes, trends and patterns that characterize the American past and present. You will also have the flexibility to define your own area of concentration, such as visual studies, cultural studies, race and ethnicity, legal and constitutional studies, the American environment, American capitalism or class and social structure.

### Upcoming Events

Mar

12

Thursday

04:30 PM

## [Bad Bunny and the Politics of Culture](https://events.cornell.edu/event/bad-bunny-and-the-politics-of-culture)

Goldwin Smith Hall
132

Mar

19

Thursday

05:00 PM

## [2026 Rabinor Lectures in American Studies with Ken Warren](https://events.cornell.edu/event/2026-rabinor-lectures-in-american-studies-with-ken-warren)

Goldwin Smith Hall
258

Mar

19

Thursday

05:00 PM

## [Claude McKay: The Wanderings of a Rebellious Poet](https://events.cornell.edu/event/claude-mckay-the-wanderings-of-a-rebellious-poet)

Goldwin Smith Hall
HEC Auditorium, room 132

[See all events](https://events.cornell.edu/search?search=amstcal)

### Popular Links

[Graduate Opportunities](/graduate-opportunities)

## Course Spotlight: "Representing Racial Encounters/Encountering Racial Representations"

This course, co-taught by professors [Ella Diaz](https://americanstudies.cornell.edu/ella-maria-diaz)and [Mukoma Wa Ngugi](http://english.cornell.edu/mukoma-wa-ngugi) uses literature and popular culture, alongside literary, social, and cultural theory to consider how people from different cultures encounter and experience each other.

[Click here to browse](/courses) American Studies course offerings for the current and upcoming semesters.