Rather than focusing on a particular method of inquiry, American Studies focuses on the subject of American culture from a variety of disciplinary perspectives.

A student may encounter the same subject—urban planning, for instance, or the 1950s—in a Sociology course, a Literature course, and a History course, but in each case the subject will be explored from different angles and with different emphases. In this way, American Studies students are constantly deepening their knowledge about American society by building on what they already know in every course they take.

With this breadth of approach and depth of knowledge, American Studies majors leave Ursinus prepared for graduate study (in American Studies or the allied disciplines); for professions like law, journalism, museum studies, and social work; and (with proper certification) for teaching social studies.