Course Overview

The American Studies (Master's and Ph.D.) program at Penn State offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of American culture, history, and society. Housed within the College of the Liberal Arts, the program emphasizes critical analysis of American identity through lenses such as race, gender, class, and global perspectives. Students engage with a wide range of methodologies and have opportunities to tailor their research to specific areas of interest, including literature, media, and social movements.

Unique Features

The program is distinguished by its flexibility and access to extensive archival resources and interdisciplinary collaborations across departments. Penn State’s American Studies program also benefits from a strong emphasis on public humanities, encouraging students to apply their research in community and cultural settings.

Career Prospects

Graduates are prepared for diverse roles in academia, cultural institutions, public policy, and media. The program fosters skills in research, critical thinking, and communication, which are highly valued in both academic and non-academic sectors.

Key Faculty and Staff

Notable faculty include experts in cultural history, visual culture, and transnational studies, contributing to the program’s reputation for innovative scholarship. Specific names and titles are available on the university’s official department page.

Unique Facilities and Partnerships

Students have access to Penn State’s extensive library collections, including specialized archives in American history and culture. The program also collaborates with cultural institutions and offers opportunities for public engagement through events and exhibitions.