Saint Louis University's M.A. program in American studies gives students a solid grounding in the origins, development, practices and theoretical framework of the field, as well as aiding them in the pursuit of independent research and academic writing. <br><br>Saint Louis University's award-winning American studies faculty are trained specifically in the discipline. Most have earned their Ph.D.s in American studies, all have worked extensively in the field as scholars and teachers. Our time and effort as teaching faculty are focused on American studies students. At the same time, we enjoy productive and cordial relations with our colleagues in other departments who teach and conduct research in related fields, and students may take carefully selected courses in those departments, as students in other departments do in American studies.<br><br>SLU's American studies faculty is especially strong in several areas, including transnational American studies, cultural studies and visual culture, African American literature, history and culture, U.S. intellectual history, urban cultural studies, race, ethnicity and gender theories and studies, religious studies, and twentieth-century U.S. society and culture.