This week, I wrote an article on the little-known American studies minor offered at Elon. Only 24 hours are needed for an American Studies minor, and there is only one class that is mandatory for it: American Concepts, an Introduction to American Studies.
After talking with Samuele Pardini, the new director of the American Studies program, he asked me what classes I have taken already. I showed him my class schedule, and he said two of the classes I have already taken could count towards the minor.
That was something Pardini really wanted to publicize about the minor. Many classes outside of the history or literature fields can be associated with American culture and count as credit towards the minor, such as the study of media and how television or new media affects American culture.
This means if I take the mandatory American Concepts class, I only need to take two more classes to minor. Also, because there is so much flexibility there could be many classes I was already planning on taking that could count towards the minor as well.
I can definitely see the benefit that learning more about American culture and why things are the way they are could have for my major in communications. I will be in contact with people in pretty much any job I hold, and understanding where people come from would help a lot.
Now, I am going to have to look at my schedule, but since this minor is now on my radar, it is definitely something I am going to consider. I’ll consider it even more if Pardini succeeds in bringing a course to Elon that combines American culture and sports.
If any students want to see if any of their classes could count towards an American Studies minor email Pardini at spardini@elon.edu.