American Studies – University California, Berkeley

Understanding “American culture” as the interplay of material practices and the realm of ideas

The Undergraduate degree program in American Studies considers technology, economy, urbanism, and ecology, as well as literature, the arts, and political and geographic history. American Studies takes a particular interest in cultural hybridity, cultural layering, and in American culture exported abroad.

Announcements

SAVE THE DATE! 2025 UGIS Commencement Ceremony: Monday, May 19, 9:00-11:00 AM, Zellerbach Auditorium

May 14, 2024 UGIS Commencement Ceremony will be live streamed and recorded

American Studies Major Brittany Postle Wins 2024 Haas Scholarship

American Studies Major Cat Stoehr Wins 2024 Haas Scholarship

Emma Gerson, American Studies graduate (class of 2023), has won the 2023 American Cultures Student Prize!

We are proud to announce that Sarah Gold McBride has won the 2023 American Cultures Excellence in Teaching Award!

Student Academic Advising

Laura Spautz, MPH

The Student Academic Advisor’s job is to guide students and faculty as they navigate University, College, and Major Program policies. Laura is an experienced advisor who is available to serve as a sounding board for ideas and concerns as they arise.

Faculty Advising

Alexander Benjamin Craghead

Christine Palmer

Michael Mark Cohen

Sarah Gold McBride

News

American Studies in the News: 9/11 shaped the U.S. in unimaginable ways. This class helps Gen Z students grasp how

Sep 13 2024

This news story originally appeared in UC Berkeley News, September 11, 2024 Twenty-three years after the 9/11 terrorist attack, UC Berkeley Professor Michael Mark Cohen is teaching a course that examines how disastrous its consequences ...

Students in the Re-Emerging Scholars Program

American Studies Majors in the News: Brandon Fellows and the Re-Emerging Scholars Program for formerly incarcerated individuals

Jun 27 2024

American Studies major Brandon Fellows ('24) was recently featured in "Community college program helps formerly incarcerated students find opportunity," in the Sacramento Bee. Here is an excerpt from the article: If you ask Brandon Fellows where ...

Oddyard, interdisciplinary student journal, published with support from American Studies

May 14 2024

Oddyard, an interdisciplinary student journal, has published its third issue, "Third Places," with support from the Interdisciplinary Program in American Studies. Founded by undergraduate students in several disciplines and schools on campus, Oddyard focuses on ...

May 14, 2024 UGIS Commencement Ceremony will be live streamed and recorded

May 10 2024

The UGIS Commencement ceremony on May 14, 7-9pm, at Zellerbach Hall, will be live streamed with captioning at the link below. And on Thursday, May 16, a recorded video of the ceremony will be available ...