Summer MAST Course Schedule Now Available, Registration Starts March 19, 2012

KENNESAW, Ga. (Feb 9, 2012) —  Summer 2012 MA in American Studies Course Offerings

Summer Registration:
March 19-May 1 with Final Registration: May 10-25, 2012

AMST 7430: Identities & Social Groups: Queer Theory
Ugena Whitlock – T/TH Hybrid Course – 5:00 – 8:45 p.m. (6 week session) What is Queer Theory? It is disruptive. Queer Theory refutes and destabilizes notions of essential, normative sexuality and gender. Queer Theory suggests that sexuality and gender are fluid, unstable and incoherent. Queer Theory represents the convergence of postmodern critical theory and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender cultural studies. Queer Theory embraces the position of the “queer” as offering a powerful vantage point from which to critique common (mis) perceptions concerning the place of gender and sexuality across the full range of social relations and institutions as well as cultural discourses and practices within which we participate throughout the course of our everyday lives. Queer Theory is playful and fun! Queer Theory and Sexuality is an interdisciplinary course that considers the global emergence and significance of theories and practices that 1) refute and destabilize the notion of an essential, normative sexuality and gender and 2) suggest that sexuality is fluid and varied and is constructed by social, political, and economics factors. The course explores a range of topics that might broadly be identified as: 1) practices, identities, and communities; 2) the cultural construction of gender and sexuality; 3) sexual citizenship and the nation-state. This course may be repeated for credit provided the content differs entirely from the previous offering.

AMST 7500: PRACTICUM (Internship or Applied Research Project) Rebecca Hill, Prerequisite: AMST 7000 and AMST 7100 This course requires students to apply American Studies knowledge, concepts, and theory to practical issues, non-academic environments or to new research questions. The Practicum fosters the ability to: 1. Read and think critically while using diverse methods to study American cultural products and practices, 2. Communicate effective analysis of American culture both orally and in writing; and 3. Analyze and critique relationships between cultural products and social values. The practicum may be offered as an internship; applied research project; teaching practicum; or other applied experience as approved by the MAST Program Director. For more information on AMST 7500 options, see the AMST 7500 Handbook.

AMST 7900: Capstone Experience (1-6 hours Credit Hours) Rebecca Hill, Permission of the Director Required. The Capstone Experience consists of a major research project or a project using interdisciplinary methods from American Studies to investigate questions consistent with the program’s mission and the student’s professional goals. Students work with faculty advisors to develop a proposal, carry out research related to their topic or project aims, and complete a product drawing on the content of program courses and integrating it with new, individualized study.

NOTE: There are also several Global Study Abroad Opportunities available in Summer 2012.