Board of Regents approves Master of Arts in American Studies at KSU
University now offers 21 master’s−level programs
Georgia (Nov 18, 2008) — Board of Regents approves Master of Arts in American Studies at KSU
Sabbaye McGriff
Abstract
Director of University Relations
Frances Weyand Harrison
770−423−6203
fharris4@kennesaw.edu
fharris4@kennesaw.edu
Contact/Writer: Sabbaye McGriff‚ 678−797−2550 or smcgrif1@kennesaw.edu
Board of Regents approves Master of Arts in American Studies at KSU
University now offers 21 master’s−level programs
KENNESAW‚ Ga. (Nov. 17‚ 2008) — Kennesaw State will start offering next fall a new Master of Arts in American Studies‚
an interdisciplinary degree designed to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse
work force in northwest Georgia.
The new degree‚ approved by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia
at its Nov. 10 meeting‚ brings to 21 the number of master’s−level programs offered
at Kennesaw State. KSU is the only university in the USG to offer such a degree.
The Masters of Arts in American Studies –– drawing from disciplines that include history‚
sociology‚ foreign languages‚ communications‚ business‚ literature and art –– is designed
to attract professionals working in local cultural sites such as museums‚ national
parks and public history venues and in non−profit and corporate organizations whose
programs reach diverse audiences in the U.S. and abroad. The degree also targets high
school teachers who want to focus their graduate studies in the humanities rather
than on pedagogy‚ as well as students from abroad interested in studying American
culture.
“America is a rich‚ diverse nation‚” said Teresa Joyce‚ associate provost and dean
of the Graduate College. “This degree is designed to equip students with knowledge
of its history and culture‚ as well as foster an understanding of the diverse people‚
regions‚ groups and institutions that have shaped this nation and its role in the
global society. Engaging students in this type of study will be of enormous value
in meeting the needs of a diverse workforce.”
The new program‚ which will be administered by Kennesaw State’s College of Humanities
and Social Sciences‚ consists of 36 credit−hours and a foreign language requirement.
Courses will be taught by existing faculty from across the humanities and other academic
departments. Most classes will be offered in the evening to accommodate working professionals.
The interdisciplinary approach to American studies combines the history of U.S. social
movements‚ ethnic groups and various historical periods with “place−based” studies
of cities‚ towns and suburbs‚ regions and America in a global context. The program
will also offer classes aimed at expanding students’ understanding of “America” as
reaching beyond the United States to include the entire hemisphere. It also includes
the examination of cultural phenomena‚ such as social groups‚ enterprise and labor‚
and cultural products such as film‚ literature and popular culture. Students earning
the degree will also be required to apply their learning working in a practicum in
local communities.
In proposing the new degree‚ Kennesaw State’s administrators and faculty relied on
input from community advisors representing local business‚ civic organizations and
educational institutions. The program also incorporates best practices advocated by
the American Studies Association and curriculum direction from similar leading programs
at state universities in Massachusetts‚ Maine‚ California and Wyoming.
“Based on these sources‚ we concluded that an interdisciplinary program in American
studies offers advantages compared to traditional area/regional studies programs that
prepare students for work in a particular global region‚” said Sarah Robbins‚ faculty
executive assistant to the president and a lead designer of the new master’s degree
program. “As a field today‚ American Studies combines a focus on globalization with
practical work in a local‚ domestic context.”
Kennesaw State University is the third−largest university in Georgia‚ offering more than 65 graduate and undergraduate degrees‚ including new doctorates in education and business. A member of the 35−unit University System of Georgia‚ Kennesaw State is a comprehensive‚ residential institution with a growing student population of more than 21‚000 from 142 countries.
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the second-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 126 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
