American Studies

AMS 2300 American Popular Culture (3 semester credit hours) Examines American culture historically through some of its most popular cultural forms: fiction, film, magazines, advertising, music, sports, television and media. Considers the economics of cultural production, ways of critically reading popular texts, and how consumers make use of popular culture. Pays particular attention to the ways gender, race, and class influence how popular texts are created and consumed. (3-0) Y

AMS 2311 Social Change and Photography in America (3 semester credit hours) This course exposes students to a broad range of images from the tradition of American documentary photography in order to help them better understand the role that such images play in social change. After briefly familiarizing ourselves with the history of photography and photographic methods, we will trace the history of documentary photography in the United States from the late nineteenth century to the present. (Same as GST 2311) (3-0) R

AMS 2341 American Studies for the Twenty-First Century (3 semester credit hours) An introduction to American cultural studies, its theories, and methodologies. Topics may include: religion and politics; transnationalism; gender and sexuality; class, labor and consumption; race and ethnicity. The course develops students' abilities to interpret cultural texts, to make and evaluate historical and literary arguments, and to situate contemporary cultural debates in larger historical and theoretical frames. (3-0) Y

AMS 2390 Topics in American Studies (3 semester credit hours) The course is designed mainly for sophomores. May be repeated for credit as topics vary (9 semester credit hours maximum). (3-0) R

AMS 3302 American Cultures (3 semester credit hours) Study of contemporary American cultures. The course examines institutions, culture regions, and the interaction between mainstream American culture and various subcultures. (3-0) Y

AMS 3316 Interpersonal Communication (3 semester credit hours) Study of theory and practice of interpersonal communication. The focus will be on learning and applying various concepts and skills needed to improve the quality and effectiveness of communication in both personal and professional aspects of life. (3-0) S

AMS 3322 American Ethnic Experience: Immigrants After 1945 (3 semester credit hours) Study of the experiences, conditions, and contributions of the new immigrants who have arrived in America since 1945. Topics include the changes in immigration policies, new patterns of ethnic relations, and impact of new immigrants on American society. (3-0) T

AMS 3327 American Studies: Histories, Theories, Methodologies (3 semester credit hours) This course surveys the development of the field of American Studies, highlighting its interdisciplinary character. Students will be introduced to the texts, theories, and debates that have shaped the discipline. Additionally, they will explore the resources, methods, and techniques American Studies scholars have traditionally employed, and will gain experience in applying those practices to their own interdisciplinary research projects. (3-0) Y

AMS 3350 Crisis Communication (3 semester credit hours) An introduction to the concepts, terms, strategies, and foundations of communication prior to, during and after a crisis. This course looks beyond the basic elements of communication into how a crisis changes elements of communication. (3-0) Y

AMS 3374 Entrepreneurs in America (3 semester credit hours) An interdisciplinary introduction to various kinds of entrepreneurial ventures. The basic purpose of the course is to discover and understand the factors that govern the success (or failure) of entrepreneurial ventures and the role of the entrepreneur in a capitalist economy. (3-0) R

AMS 4300 Oral and Written Communication for the Classroom (3 semester credit hours) This course provides future teachers with the ability to understand, use, and teach effective classroom communication and to employ effective speaking techniques as well as write efficacious sentences, paragraphs, and essays and make effective oral presentations. By becoming proficient in these areas, future teachers will know how to score student essays and deliver viable classroom instruction. (3-0) S

AMS 4304 Communication in America (3 semester credit hours) This course examines the basic verbal and non-verbal elements affecting communication in American society. Perspectives to be addressed include communication across cultures, gender differences in communication, interpersonal communication styles, and communication in peer groups, families, and work contexts. In addition, the effects of technology on communication and its impact on individuals and society will be explored. (3-0) T

AMS 4305 World History for Teachers (3 semester credit hours) This course is a comprehensive thematic survey of world history that parallels the standards in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) as required for teachers in grades 8 through 12. (3-0) S

AMS 4324 Motherhood and the Technological Womb (3 semester credit hours) Examines the relationship between reproductive technologies and the meanings of motherhood. Investigates the history of reproductive technologies and how various interventions and medical/technological "advances" have influenced the social, emotional, legal, political, and economic dimensions of motherhood and reproduction. Topics include conception and birth control, "test tube" babies, infertility treatments, surrogacy, fetal ultrasound imaging, high-order multiple births, genetic testing, cloning, and ectogenesis (artificial wombs). (Same as GST 4325) (3-0) Y

AMS 4327 The Culture of Bullying in America (3 semester credit hours) This course provides a broad overview of the phenomenon of bullying in our culture as it plays out in schools, organizations, cyberspace, and the workplace. The course will examine current events/incidents, research, and trends on bullying in American culture, past to present. Bullying within schools, bully/victim characteristics and trends, gender in bullying, and bullying motivations will also be discussed. The course will consider the notion of "rank" in the dimensions of bullying and how it relates to the epidemic of bullying in American life, along with culture as it intersects with bullying activities and moral development. (3-0) Y

AMS 4360 Gender and Alcohol in America (3 semester credit hours) This course examines women and men's historical role as crusaders against alcohol and identifies how the role of reformer was gendered. Identifies the genesis of the disease concept of alcoholism and how it was applied to men and women in different ways. This course also examines gendered ideas about male and female drinking and how they are represented in popular culture, literature, and film. (Same as GST 4360) (3-0) Y

AMS 4379 Special Topics in American Studies (3 semester credit hours) The course is designed mainly for seniors. May be repeated for credit as topics vary (9 semester credit hours maximum). (3-0) Y

AMS 4381 Senior Honors in American Studies (3 semester credit hours) Required for graduation magna cum laude or summa cum laude. Prerequisite: Completion of at least 39 and no more than 45 hours of work towards a degree in American Studies and instructor consent required. (3-0) R

AMS 4385 Professional Communications in Business (3 semester credit hours) Combines theory and practice in improving both the written and spoken word in business. Students learn to evaluate professional and technical audiences and how to communicate more effectively to those audiences. Principles of composition, organization, tone, format, and punctuation are reviewed. Exercises in effective speaking and group presentations are also conducted. This course is offered through eLearning at UT Dallas. (3-0) Y

AMS 4V80 Independent Study (1-6 semester credit hours) Independent study under a faculty member's direction. May be repeated for credit (6 semester credit hours maximum). Instructor consent required. ([1-6]-0) R