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There are two questions that undergraduates frequently ask when the subject of majoring or minoring in American Studies comes up. First: "What is American Studies?" And second: "What can I do with a degree in American Studies?" Let's take them in order. American Studies is an interdisciplinary field, one that combines the perspectives and techniques of several approaches to knowledge. This means that American Studies students do not limit themselves to, say, examining the past (history), or analyzing novels or paintings (English or art), or looking at a single dimension of the social order (economics or political science or sociology). Rather, since the cultural and social worlds that Americans actually inhabit are made up of all these things, American Studies students devise individual programs that integrate a variety of fields—including film, politics, music, popular culture, ethnic studies, gender studies, media, sports, or others—in their efforts to understand the world we live in today, and the world of the past. Additionally, at UH Manoa, students have a unique opportunity to explore these topics with a focus on Asia and/or the Pacific, including Hawai‘i. But what do you "do" with an American Studies degree once you've graduated? Because of its multi-faceted approach to understanding culture and society, American Studies prepares students to pursue a variety of careers. One pathway leads to graduate school, either in American Studies or in one of the more traditional disciplines such as English or history. Another leads to professional school—for instance law, urban planning, or social work. And still a third leads directly to employment in numerous fields, from advertising to journalism. Perhaps the best way to get a sense of what a degree in American Studies can do for you is to trace the footsteps of previous students. Today, many American Studies graduates work in government, politics, and the foreign service. One of Hawai‘i's Congressmen has a degree in American Studies, while another was the top advisor to a recent US Presidential candidate. Still more serve in US embassies throughout the world or work in other government agencies. Numerous
American Studies graduates choose careers in the media, as writers,
news anchors and reporters, editors, or executives in print or electronic
journalism. Still others have gone into film, as critics or screenwriters,
while a number of well-known novelists have degrees in American
Studies. Of course, countless more American Studies graduates hold
high-ranking positions in education, law, and business. One recent
survey at another university found more lawyers among its American
Studies graduates than any other profession. In short, while many
undergraduate courses of study set you on a specialized track—often
prematurely—American Studies expands your horizons. The possibilities
are limitless.
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