All undergraduates at Florida State University must demonstrate basic computer skills competency prior to graduation. As necessary computer competency skills vary from discipline to discipline, each major determines the courses needed to satisfy this requirement. Undergraduate majors in American and Florida Studies satisfy this requirement by earning a grade of "C–" or higher in CGS 2060 (preferred), CGS 2064, or CGS 2100.

Please review all college-wide degree requirements summarized in the "College of Arts and Sciences" chapter of this General Bulletin.

Thirty semester hours are required, distributed in a way satisfactory to both the student and the director, not including courses used to satisfy liberal studies requirements. All students are required to take at least nine semester hours in American studies courses, including a special topics course, and at least three semester hours in each of the areas of study listed below. No more than twelve semester hours in any one area may be counted toward the major. The areas of study are literature, history, fine arts, and social sciences. Any course in the University that deals primarily with the United States may be included under one of these areas. Interested students may obtain from the director a list of courses generally used in the program. In addition, students must complete an approved minor.

American Studies participates in the honors in the major program to encourage talented juniors and seniors to undertake independent and original research as part of the undergraduate experience. For requirements and other information, see the "University Honors Office and Honor Societies" chapter of this General Bulletin.

The minor in American and Florida studies offers an excellent complement to a major in humanities, the social sciences, and fine arts. The minor requires AMS 3310 Changing Concepts of the American Character, and AMS 3810 The Life of the Mind in America, plus six semester hours in history, literature, fine arts, or social sciences that have been approved by the director.

American and Florida Studies offers a combined Bachelor of Arts/Master of Arts (BA/MA) program designed for academically strong students who wish to pursue an accelerated program culminating in a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree and a Master of Arts (MA) degree. This five-year program allows up to twelve semester hours of coursework to be dually counted toward both the BA and the MA degree.

Before applying to the combined BA/MA program in American and Florida Studies, an undergraduate student should have declared American and Florida Studies as the major, completed at least twelve semester hours of course work toward the major with a GPA of 3.5 in that course work, and completed at least sixty semester hours at Florida State University with a GPA of 3.0. Transfer students must have completed at least two semesters and twenty-four semester hours at Florida State while maintaining a GPA of 3.0 before applying.

Undergraduate students may apply as early as the second semester of their sophomore year. If accepted, they should take the GRE at the end of their junior year and apply to the graduate school during the first semester of their senior year. Students who fail to be admitted into the graduate school may not continue with the accelerated program. In order to remain in the accelerated program, a student must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA in all course work and at least a 3.2 GPA in courses counting toward the major in American and Florida studies at or above the 4000 level.

AMS—American Studies

Note: AMS 3310 Changing Concepts of the American Character, and AMS 3810 The Life of the American Mind, fulfill the Liberal Studies Humanities requirement and are designated by the Undergraduate Policy Committee as requiring 3,000 words of writing. AMS 3310 also satisfies the Liberal Studies Literature requirement.

AMS 1363r. Issues in American Civilization: The University (1–2). (S/U grade only.)

AMS 3310r. Changing Concepts of the American Character (3). A study of American culture and values. May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.

AMS 3810r. The Life of the Mind in America (3). This course addresses topics in American intellectual history. May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.

AMS 3932r. Lecture Series in American Problems (3). May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.

AMS 3949r. Cooperative Education Work Experience (0). (S/U grade only.)

AMS 4905r. Directed Individual Study (1–3). May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.

AMS 4913r. Honors Work (1–6). May be repeated to a maximum of nine (9) semester hours.

AMS 4935r. Senior Seminar (3). May be repeated to a maximum of twelve (12) semester hours.

AMS 4941r. Internship in an Approved American Studies Field (3–9). (S/U grade only.) Must have completed one full semester of major courses [twelve (12) credit hours or more] before registering for internship. May be repeated to a maximum of nine (9) semester hours.

AMS 5809r. Seminar in American Culture (3).

AMS 5815r. Seminar in American Thought (3).

AMS 5908r. Directed Individual Study (1–3).

AMS 5915r. Supervised Research (1–3). (S/U grade only.)

AMS 5940r. Supervised Teaching (1–3). (S/U grade only.)

AMS 5942r. Internship in an Approved American Studies Field (3–9). (S/U grade only.)

For listings relating to graduate course work for thesis, dissertation, and master's examination and defense, consult the Graduate Bulletin.