Scouting New Horizons
After founding the first all-female Boy Scout troop in her state, Clara Blackwell ’26 (political science, economics) continues to lead the way as a Dickinson student-leader.
American studies is an innovative field of study that looks at the American past and present through an interdisciplinary lens. Students in the major draw upon concepts and methods developed in history, literature, sociology, philosophy, political science, anthropology, art history and music in their analyses of various American social, cultural and political phenomena.
American studies majors are critical thinkers who are able to analyze a variety of texts (such as the visual arts, novels, films, sports, advertising and popular music) and to investigate how these texts reflect or challenge dominant conceptions of identity and power. The American studies curriculum has a strong transnational focus, emphasizing that “America” does not stop at the borders of the United States.
At Dickinson, the Department of American Studies offers both a major and a minor. Students take core courses in American studies and draw other coursework from across the curriculum. Each American studies student has a unique program given coherence through the core American studies courses and through careful planning and advising. Required courses within and outside the department address four key areas of study: history, representation, structures & institutions and literature.
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“The Department of American Studies prides itself on how interdisciplinary it is in practice. Before I got to college, I was enthusiastically interested in politics, psychology, English, women’s & gender studies and history. I assumed that I would have to narrow my focus. The Department of American Studies, however, has allowed me to delve into all my interests without sacrificing getting a degree in a timely manner, and has even provided me with more useful lenses through which to investigate my passions.”
—Arwyn Forbes ’25
After founding the first all-female Boy Scout troop in her state, Clara Blackwell ’26 (political science, economics) continues to lead the way as a Dickinson student-leader.
There are fascinating lessons sewn into fashion. Researching in Italy, students explored the culture, history, politics and ethics of Italian fashion, from fast fashion to couture.
Matthew Guariglia '12, senior policy analyst at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, will discuss his new book, “Police and the Empire City: Race and the Origins of Modern Policing in New York.”
Meet Emerlee Simons ’24, an All-American student-athlete, Baird Sustainability Fellow and Dialogues Across Differences student-coordinator.
"It's unbelievably satisfying to see all of the historical threads fall into place." Meet Sam Neuburger '24, who's pursuing a passion for culinary history and food writing.
"Thanks to Dickinson’s brilliant professors, my understanding of the world around me has deepened considerably,” says Arwyn Forbes ’25, a House Divided and Knowledge for Freedom intern.