American Studies
FAQs about American Studies
Q: How do I graduate from Rowan with a major in American Studies?
A: Please do the following:
- Declare your major as American Studies by filling out a short form at the Career and Academic Planning (CAP) office in Savitz Hall.
- Read all the messages that come to your Rowan email account from your academic advisor, professors, and the university.
- Follow the American Studies program guide.
- Earn a minimum of 120 college credits (this includes transfer credits).
- Meet with an American Studies advisor each year.
Q: I am a CGCE student, and I am wondering what the relationship is between the PCS (personalized course sequence) provided me by CGCE and the American Studies program guide?
A: The PCS provided by CGCE provides you with a set of courses that will allow you to complete the BA in American Studies. However, the PCS makes two crucial assumptions: 1) it assumes that you have already met the General Education requirements for the BA in American Studies and 2) it assumes that you have not previously taken American Studies major courses (either at rowan or another institution) prior to entering the CGCE program. Both of those assumptions could turn out to be false, so please meet with or contact an American Studies advisor to ensure that your PCS includes everything you need and nothing you don't. Remember, you are getting your degree through American Studies, and American Studies will be the body that will process your application to graduate, so please come to us with any questions or concerns.
Q:I am a CGCE student: if I have questions about my major or about the Program Guide, whom should I ask?
A:The major has faculty advisors who would like to help you. It is always best to see your advisor face-to-face. This kind of interaction is efficient and offers an opportunity for you and the faculty of this major to know each other better. Nonetheless, as a student of a satellite college, it is challenging to make it to the main Rowan campus. If this is the case, we have implemented virtual appointments for CGCE students -- this allows students to get their questions answered without having to be present at the appointment. If you are interested in making a virtual appointment, please do the following:
1. Call our Secretary, Terry Magliocco, at 256-4075.
2. Inform her that you are a CGCE student and that you’d like to get a virtual appointment with one of our faculty advisors. You may at this point request an advisor.
3. She will note your request and pull your file for the faculty advisor.
4. If you have some specific questions to be answered, email them to that advisor before the ‘appointment.’
5. The faculty advisor will review your file during his or her next set of advising hours and email or call you with a response.
Please be advised, it is possible, with this process, for complex or poorly composed questions to take a couple of advising sessions to resolve. The following tips will expedite the advising process:
a. Please ask questions and read the email responses with a basis of knowledge. Please be sure to read through the information on the website and Banner before asking questions or responding to your advisor's evaluation of your file.
b. Please take the time to compose your questions in a knowledgeable, clear, and grammatical fashion. This will ensure effective communication.
We understand how important advising is, especially for students who are not on-site, so please let us know if there are ways we can serve you better.
Q: I took a course titled Art History 1 ( or Art History 2 ). Do I still have to take History of American Art?
A: Yes
Q: I know that I have to take at least 5 courses at the 300 or 400 level. How can I tell if a course is at 300 or 400 level?
A: Look at the course catalog or course schedule printed each semester. Every course has a 9 digit hegis number. The first 4 digits indicate the department, the next 3 digits indicate the level, and the last 2 digits indicate the section. A 100 level course is a freshman level course, a 200 level is a sophomore level, a 300 level is a junior level, and a 400 level is a senior level. These numbers indicate the level of difficulty of the course.
Q: Does the Senior Seminar count as a 400 level course?
A: Yes
Q: Can I take courses for my major at another school?
A: You may do so ONLY if the courses are equivalent - in other words, they have to be courses of the same difficulty. If, for example, you find a course with the same name at a community college but it is a 100 level course, it CANNOT serve as a course in the major. To find detailed transfer credit information, please visit NJTransfer.org.
Q: How do I arrange to take a course at another school?
A: Obtain the form for taking a course at another school at the Registrar’s office (Savitz Hall) or in the American Studies office and fill it out with all the information. Bring it to the American Studies office and an Advisor will determine where the course(s) will fit in your program - if at all - and sign it.
Q: Is there a particular order in which I need to complete American Studies requirements?
A: You are most likely to achieve success in American Studies by completing the 100 level courses before attempting the upper division (200,300,400 level) courses. Also, many of the 100 level courses are prerequisites for the upper division courses. In addition, Introduction to American Studies must be completed before you take the Senior Seminar in American Studies. The Senior Seminar in American Studies must be taken during your senior year.
Q: I took Cultural Geography. Do I still have to take Geography of the US and Canada?
A: Yes
Q: Do I need to take Intro to American Studies before I take other courses for the major?
A: No. You should take Intro to American Studies after you have completed Composition I and II. It is also a prerequisite for the Senior Seminar in American Studies and upper level History courses.
Q: When should I take the Senior Seminar in American Studies?
A: When you are a senior.
