Course variations

Course summary

This program is directed by an intellectual community made up of over sixty faculty members. The program features two broad interdisciplinary academic tracks from which students choose their major concentration: (1) Critical Studies in Media, Film, and Culture; and (2) Ethnicity, Gender, and Social Identities. These are designed to allow our students to be exposed to and to address contemporary cutting-edge research and debates in the field of Cultural Studies. They also reflect the unique academic strengths of our graduate faculty, who are deeply involved in interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary teaching and research. The American Culture Studies program includes faculty members from the following departments and graduate programs: Communication Studies, English, Ethnic Studies, History, Philosophy, Popular Culture, Sociology, Theatre/Film, and Women’s Studies. Recognizing that American culture is complex and multifaceted, this program requires work in a variety of subject areas, encouraging students to reflect on both the historic heritage and contemporary expression of our national experiences.

Program modules

Theories of American Culture Studies, Genealogy of American Culture, Publication and Professional Development, Key Debates in Cultural Studies. Either (a) Critical Studies in Film, Media, and Culture, or (b) Ethnicity, Gender, and Social Identities. Either a disciplinary minor, such as Communication Studies, English, History, etc., or an interdisciplinary minor, such as Film Studies, Museum/Archival Studies, etc., or a graduate certificate program, such as those in Ethnic Studies, Women’s Studies, Performance Studies, etc. ACS 602 Teaching American Culture Studies ACS 730 Theories of American Culture Studies, ACS 680 Popular Culture and Media Theory or ETHN 620 Theories of Race, Ethnicity, Multiculturalism, ACS 740 Genealogy of American Culture, ACS 760 Critical Approaches in Film Studies or WS 620 Feminist Theory, ACS 745 Publication and Professional Development, ACS 750 Key Debates in Cultural Studies, ACS 798 Readings for the Preliminary Exam, ACS 799 Dissertation Hours

Entry requirement for international students

Student should have two official transcripts from each college or university student have attended; scores for the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination. Foreign students are required to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination or its equivalent.The following materials must be submitted to the American Culture Studies program office in support of student application: (a) three letters of recommendation from current or former instructors or other persons qualified to evaluate probable success in the doctoral program; (b) evidence of ability to conduct academic research in an interdisciplinary area, such as copies of research papers or M.A. thesis chapters; (c) a two-four page statement of purpose delineating the applicant’s purpose for taking the Ph.D. as well as an outline of career goals; (d) a current one-two page resume or c.v.

Qualification

Doctoral

Awarding body

BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY

Department name

College of Arts and Sciences, Department of American Culture Studies