American Studies
The American Studies GRADUATE SCHOOL AND as the New York State Museum, the
program at Siena College CAREER OPPORTUNITIES New York State Military Museum, the
National Museum of Racing, Saratoga
deepens students’ knowl- American Studies majors bring an im-
pressive breadth of knowledge rooted National Historical Park and Battle-
edge and analysis of the
in the total Siena curriculum to gradu- field and the Schenectady Museum and
American experience Suits-Bueche Planetarium.
ate schools, law schools and employers.
through an interdisciplin-
American studies majors have chosen Internship experience not only allows
ary approach to intellec- careers in teaching, law, museum and students to expand their knowledge;
tual, social and cultural archival work, commerce, industry and students develop essential qualities that
questions. By taking American- government. Siena also has an excel- will make them attractive to employ-
themed courses from a variety of lent placement record with American ers in the future: good communication
disciplines that include history, Studies students going on to graduate skills, knowledge of business practices,
school. Some recent graduate school and the self-confidence to present
English, sociology, political sci-
placements include: themselves and their ideas effectively.
ence, economics, philosophy,
creative arts and religion, Ameri- • Albany Law School
• Cornell University AMERICAN STUDIES CAPSTONE
can studies students engage in
SEQUENCE
diverse issues, perspectives and • Fordham University
• Georgetown University The American Studies Thesis, typi-
analytical approaches.
cally done in the fall of one’s senior
• George Washington University
The interdisciplinary structure of year, challenges majors to apply the
• Tulane University approaches learned in their course-
the American Studies program
• University of Illinois work through an interdisciplinary
encourages a multicultural and investigation of an American studies
pluralistic understanding of the topic of their choosing. Recent topics
INTERNSHIPS
national experience, which is intrin- include “New Woman, New South:
The Capital District is a wonderful area Margaret Mitchell, Scarlett O’Hara,
sically useful to any citizen of the
for historic and cultural study; it has and the New Woman of the 1920s,”
21st century, but its combination
played a strategic role since the early “Sports Propaganda during the World
of breadth and varied methodolo- days of our nation’s history. Albany War II Era,” and “From the Circus to
gies is particularly beneficial for was originally Fort Orange, a Dutch the Talk Show: Making a Spectacle of
students pursuing graduate degrees settlement. Henry Hudson sailed up the Marginalized for Entertainment.”
and/or careers in education, law the river that now bears his name. The The Proseminar, typically taken in the
and business. Battle of Saratoga was one of the crucial spring of one’s junior year, is a reading
battles of the Revolutionary War, and and discussion course in which students
the area was one of the first centers of gain insight into American life use criti-
industrial development in the country. cal thinking and group discussion skills.
American Studies internships tend
to be related to museums of all sizes
and types and to historic sites such
The following three programs allow FACULTY
students to immerse themselves in Nine out of every ten Siena faculty
SIENA facts
the American experience, deepen members hold the highest degree Siena College is a learning community
their understanding of America, and awarded in their field. Because advancing the ideals of a liberal arts
sharpen their research, communica- American Studies is an interdisciplin- education, rooted in its identity as a
tion and analytical skills: Franciscan and Catholic institution.
ary major, students will take courses
from a wide variety of faculty. The Location: Loudonville, New York; two miles
Gettysburg Semester north of Albany
director of American Studies serves
In an agreement with Gettysburg as academic advisor to each American Campus: Suburban; 174 acres
College, selected students from Siena studies major, from freshman year to Enrollment: 3,000 undergraduates;
have an opportunity to study the Civil 55% women, 45% men
graduation, and is available to discuss
War in the Gettysburg Semester at Cost: $35,280 (tuition, room, board and fees
career and graduate school options, in-
Gettysburg, PA. Students are able to for 2009-2010)
ternships and participation in honors
deepen their historical understanding Average SAT score for incoming
programs. freshmen class: 1162
by living the Civil War experience.
Students take a variety of courses and Percentage of applicant pool
admitted: 53%
numerous field trips, and live in a
Student/faculty ratio: 14:1
Civil War era house.
Class size: 15 to 35
Washington Semester Average class size: 21
Lab size: 10 to 19
The Washington Semester allows
academically qualified juniors and Retention: 75% of students graduate in
4 years and 88% of freshmen students return
seniors to spend a semester in Wash- for their sophomore year.
ington, D.C. under the auspices of
Student housing: 80% of students live on
Siena College and American Univer- campus.
sity. Students attend seminar courses Computer access: All Siena students have
at American University, complete Internet and e-mail access, and students have
a research project and gain intern- 24-hour access to the campus-wide computer
ship experience in various aspects of system. Wireless access is currently available
national government. in a majority of the buildings on campus.
Academics: 30 degree programs, 43
Certificate in Revolutionary Era minors and certificate programs, and numer-
Studies ous independent study opportunities in
Science, Business, and Liberal Arts. Nine of
The History Department offers this every ten professors at Siena hold the highest
new program which will appeal to degree attainable in their field.
students who have a special interest in Internships: Combining class work with
the Revolutionary Era, from 1763- real-world experiences is an essential part of a
Siena education. Last year nearly 400 students
1815. The certificate provides a mul-
interned with approximately 300 different
tidisciplinary approach and hands-on organizations.
experience with a required internship.
Campus life: 60+ organizations featuring
This program is especially useful for volunteer activities, campus ministry, student
graduates seeking careers in history, government, academic, and professional clubs.
museum studies, library science or Athletics: Siena, a member of NCAA’s
education. Division I athletic programs, competes in
18 sports (7 men and 11 women). Siena
also has nine club sports and numerous
intramural sports.
For more information, contact the
Admissions Office at 1-888-AT-SIENA or
visit us on the web at www.IMsiena.com.