Georgetown University: School of Foreign Service in Qatar

The Certificate in American Studies provides students the opportunity to study the culture and politics of the United States, from interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary perspectives. It is modeled on other regional studies certificates offered by SFS on Georgetown University’s main campus.

Students take core courses in American Studies, Government, History, and Literature, which in different ways explore thought, expression, and behavior that have shaped the complex modern society of the U. S. After completing these core courses, students select appropriate upper-level courses that match their specific interests of study. Finally, each student writes a senior research paper, directed by an appropriate faculty member, that helps synthesize what he or she has learned. Interested students should speak with their academic advisers.

Requirements for the Certificate Program in American Studies:

1. HIST 180 or 181: History of the United States I or History of the US II

Students will complete at least one course in U.S. history to contextualize their study of American social and political thought.

2. GOVT 008: United States Political Systems
Students will complete at least one course in American government to contextualize their study of American political thought, institutions, decision-making processes, and foreign policy development.

3. INAF / ENGL 043: Gateway to American Studies or Gateway to American Literature

Students will complete at least one course in American Studies or literature to contextualize their study of American culture.

4. Minimum of three upper-level courses of each student’s choice in disciplines appropriate for the American Studies Certificate Program. These courses will be completed during junior and senior years and will draw upon offerings across the SFS-Q curriculum, including the fields of culture, economics, history, literature, and politics. Note: One course must be a literature course if INAF-043 is taken instead of ENGL-043.

5. Completion of an original research thesis during senior year. Under the supervision of an appropriate faculty member, each certificate candidate will design and complete a major research essay during the senior year. This project will be undertaken in the context of a three-credit tutorial or appropriate seminar course. The project must be approved by both the student’s faculty supervisor and the primary academic adviser for the Certificate Program in American Studies by the beginning of the semester in which the project is undertaken. The completed project thesis must be reviewed and approved by the faculty steering group, made up of the faculty teaching in the program and the faculty chair.

6. If a student receives advanced placement credit for American Government, American History, and/or American Literature, the student will take upper-level government, history, and/or literature courses in place of the foundational courses, as approved by the primary academic adviser for the Certificate Program in American Studies.

7. A maximum of two American Studies certificate courses may be completed at other academic institutions than Georgetown University (GU-Q and/or GU-DC) with pre-approval from the primary academic adviser for the Certificate Program in American Studies. The senior research project must be completed within a Georgetown University seminar course.

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