Why American Studies? I was drawn to majoring in American Studies after taking AMS 150, the department’s introductory course that droves of freshmen seeking to fulfill their humanities requirement enroll in. The course itself ultimately proved to be a microcosm for what it is that the American Studies faculty seeks to accomplish through a seemingly endless number of diverse and engaging courses focused on nominal periods and figures in American history. With the help of dedicated instructors, American Studies courses offer students an opportunity to get the full story; to understand how America, for better or worse, has forged its ever-evolving character through a series of pivotal moments in time.