The American Studies program takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of American cultures. Through examination of historical, religious and literary texts, political institutions, popular culture, film, art, and the physical landscape, students will explore how Americans create meaning in their lives and make sense of the world in which they live. By encouraging students to approach the knowledge and skills they are mastering as part of their major from the perspective of other disciplines, American Studies courses foster deeper critical thinking and broader contextualization. Thus an American Studies minor offers students a strong complement to a wide variety of majors.