Skip to main content
Department of American Studies

Minor in the American Experience

Students on Summer 2021, Fall 2021, or Spring 2022 requirements AMEXPMIN

The Minor in The American Experience provides domestic and international undergraduate students with a rigorous introduction to research on the richness, diversity and specificity of the society and the cultures of the United States. Students will develop the ability to discuss and analyze the experience of diverse communities leading to the formation of current American society, with its specific institutions, social practices, socio-cultural tensions, cultural sensibilities, world views, public discourses and/or art forms.

Requirements

The minor requires at least 15 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.
  1. Introductory Course. One (1) course:
    • AMST-E 100 American Experience through the Lens
    • SLST-T 135 Introduction to the American Experience for International Students
  2. Intermediate Course. One (1) course:
    • AMST-A 200 Comparative American Identities
    • AMST-A 201 U.S. Movements and Institutions
    • AMST-A 202 U.S. Arts and Media
  3. Advanced Courses. Three (3) courses:
    • AMST-E 300 Experiencing American Communities
    • AMST-E 301 U.S. Society and Institutions
    • AMST-E 302 U.S. Arts and Culture
  4. Minor GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
    1. Minor GPA. A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the minor—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
    2. Minor Minimum Grade. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the minor.
    3. Minor Upper Division Credit Hours. At least 9 credit hours in the minor must be completed at the 300–499 level.
    4. Minor Residency. At least 9 credit hours in the minor must be completed in courses taken through the Indiana University Bloomington campus or an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program.

Minor Area Courses

Unless otherwise noted below, the following courses are considered in the academic program and will count toward academic program requirements as appropriate:

  • Any course contained on the course lists for the academic program requirements at the time the course is taken—as well as any other courses that are deemed functionally equivalent—except for those listed only under Addenda Requirements
  • Any course directed to a non-Addenda requirement through an approved exception

This program of study cannot be combined with the following:

  • Bachelor of Arts in American Studies (AMSTBA)
  • Minor in American Studies (AMSTMIN)
  • Minor in Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAISMIN)

Exceptions to and substitutions for minor requirements may be made with the approval of the unit's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.