The Comparative
American Studies Program has developed the following goals:
COMPARATIVE
AMERICAN STUDIES PROGRAM MAJOR GOALS
SKILLS
THAT CAS MAJORS WILL HAVE BY GRADUATING
COMPARATIVE
AMERICAN STUDIES PROGRAM GOALS FOR NON-MAJORS
COMPARATIVE
AMERICAN STUDIES PROGRAM LONG-TERM GOALS
COMPARATIVE
AMERICAN STUDIES MAJOR GOALS:
1. To
understand and apply intersectional and comparative frameworks to
issues of power, identity formation, and nation
- to gain historical
and theoretical perspectives with which to engage in comparative and intersectional
analysis of power and inequality in relation to race, ethnicity,
class, gender, sexuality, and nation
- to understand
the relationship between identities, communities, and institutional
structures of power through the lens of identity-based fields
of study, including Latina/Latino Studies, Asian American Studies,
and/or LGBTQ Studies
- to locate concepts
of “American” and “American-ness” in
historical and transnational contexts.
2. To
develop skills in interdisciplinary analysis through careful attention
to issues of methodology, method, and histories of knowledge production
- to plan a
major in which core CAS courses are in dialogue with other program
courses to form a coherent program of study
- to learn
to apply a range of research methods to achieve an interdisciplinary
understanding of American cultures
- to engage
in the critical analysis of both primary and secondary sources
for original academic research or creative projects
- to develop
skills in critical thinking, writing, discussion and community-based
learning.
3. To make connections between theory and practice
through exploring the interconnections of academic research and
social change
- to develop
critical analytic and communication skills relevant to various
strategies for pursuing social justice
- to gain practical
experience and develop analytic skills through community-based
learning pedagogies
UP
SKILLS
THAT CAS MAJORS WILL HAVE BY GRADUATING:
1. Conceptual/Theoretical:
- a working
understanding of intersectionality and
comparativeness, including the ability to use these tools to participate
in conversations or projects addressing diversity issues
- an understanding
of the relationship between identities, communities, and institutional
structures of power through the lens of identity-based fields
of study, especially Latina/Latino Studies, Asian American Studies,
and/or LGBTQ Studies
- the ability
to locate concepts of “American” and “American-ness”
in historical and transnational contexts
2. Methodological:
- an understanding
of the concept of interdisciplinarity
and the ability to situate scholarly works in a range of disciplinary
methodologies and approaches
- competency
in both primary research (such as ethnography, archival research,
or cultural analysis) and secondary source analysis (previously
published research and theory)
- Sensitivity
to the ethical responsibilities of primary research
- the intellectual
flexibility to address issues from a variety of disciplines
3. Communicative:
- clear writing
and critical thinking skills, including the ability to read and
process information and convey it in an effective manner
- detailed
awareness of the complexity of working in community organizations
and other social structures
- an ability
to develop critical analytic and communication skills relevant
to various strategies for pursuing social justice
- collaborative
skills developed through group projects, peer editing, and classroom
discussions
- the ability
to deal with controversial issues with tolerance and openness
to diverging views and beliefs
UP
CAS
PROGRAM GOALS FOR NON-MAJORS:
1. To
understand and apply intersectional and comparative frameworks to
issues of power, identity formation, and nation
- to provide
an introduction to comparative and intersectional analysis of
identity-based categories, including race, ethnicity, class, gender,
sexuality, and nation
- to understand
the relationship between identities, communities, and institutional
structures of power through the lens of identity-based fields
of study, including Latina/Latino Studies, Asian American Studies,
and/or LGBTQ Studies
- to locate
concepts of “American” and “American-ness”
in historicized, transnational contexts
2. To
explore interdisciplinary analysis through careful attention to
issues of methodology, method, and histories of knowledge production
- to develop
critical thinking, reading, writing, and research skills
- to develop
critical analytic and communication skills relevant to various
strategies for pursuing social justice
3. To support the college-wide cultural diversity
requirement by exposing students to histories and contemporary experiences
of marginalized groups in the USA
- to encounter
theories, histories, and methodologies that enable productive
engagements with difference
- to introduce
the curricular contributions offered by identity-based fields
of study, especially Asian American Studies, Latina/o Studies,
and LGBTQ Studies
- to reframe
exceptionalist histories of the nation
by situating the United
States in a comparative and transnational
context
UP
COMPARATIVE
AMERICAN STUDIES PROGRAM LONG-TERM GOALS
1. To pursue the institutional representation of
marginalized areas of study that offer clear contributions to the
program’s mission
- to institutionalize
course offerings in Native/Indigenous Studies
- to explore
the relationship of Disability Studies to the CAST curriculum
by inviting speakers, planning mini-courses, and other events
- to collaborate
on projects to increase the diversity of Oberlin College
faculty, staff, and students
2. To enrich curricular offerings and programming
that explore the relationship between academics
and activism
- to expand
course offerings and programming about the histories and practices
of social movements
- to continue
to explore opportunities for collaboration with the Multicultural Resource Center
and the Center for Service and Learning in order to enhance the
connections students make between the curricular and co-curricular
3. To provide a structure for interdisciplinary
teaching and scholarship that makes connections within and across
College departments and programs
- to ensure
a balance of courses and methods drawn from the humanities and
social sciences as well as encourage interdisciplinary teaching
within and across these divisions
- to explore
the opportunity for more sustained cross-divisional collaboration,
especially in fields which students identify as key areas of interest,
such as environmental justice and medicine/health
UP
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