A revolt against the rigidity of traditional academic disciplines gave birth to the American Studies Movement in the 1930s. Since that time, scholars have been developing new techniques for the investigation of America, past and present. Americanists have examined their complex society from a variety of perspectives, employing a rich blend of theories on society, culture, and sociocultural change. The discipline recognizes that the pluralistic nature of American society and the complexity of contemporary problems demand an understanding of social institutions and cultural values. Such understanding may be pursued through self-critical analysis, through examinations of particular social systems and subcultures, and through cross-cultural analysis.

In cooperation with participating departments, the American Studies Department at Dickinson provides an innovative and coherent approach to the study of American culture.

American studies students are expected to develop a broad understanding of the American experience, to think systematically about the nature of social and cultural analysis, and to analyze a topic of their choice from a rich, interdisciplinary perspective.

Each American Studies student develops a unique program of study which is given coherence through the core courses and through careful planning and advising concerning the student's thematic concentration.