Student Opinions

What Students are Saying about American Studies classes:

classes of Paul Jerome Croce (Spring 2004)

American studies courses offer a setting for questioning your values in a non-judgmental atmosphere, and taking a course here might help you understand the American culture where you'll live and work and breathe...

AS 154E: American Environmental Issues from Lindsey Dixon (First Year Discovery student):

All my life I have agreed with what my family's perspectives are[;] we are Republicans and we are proud... I believe that the government should have less control over jobs; I believe in personally owned private property; and low taxes are a good thing. I never thought of the environment. However, since this class I have learned a great deal about what the environment has [gone] through and what it continues to face... I appreciate Dr. Croce's clear sober and non-biased way of presenting this material, and I find myself questioning where I stand on these issues... [Moral] needs, national security, and the economy are very important but what is all of that without some place we can live and breathe?

Choosing an elective based on the topic that's right for you might enrich your career-no matter what your major is...

AS 359-02: War and Peace in American Culture from Josh Reaser (Senior Communication Studies major)

I can honestly say that this class ranks number three in the top three class[es] that have [a]ffected me most throughout my Stetson career. As I embark in the Marine Corps, I will use everything we have talked about and the information that I got to read... I am not selling back any of the books for this class because I will be finishing them up to ensure a military career with a strong mental awareness of our past. Thank you again for your work and your class.

Study in the liberal arts, exposure to the great questions of humankind, will not only help your career, it can also enrich your life...

AS 359E-03/PY 395E: Lives in Context: William James and the Cultures of Unbelief from David Keith (Sophomore American Studies major)

When I signed up for this class, I had no clue as to who William James was... I consider myself fairly intelligent, but not very academic, but why had I not heard of him before? I think a person like William James, full of all his quirks and shortcomings, is an American hero... I think he knew the phrase 'all things happen for a reason.' I think he was more than a scientist and philosopher. There was a Godly essence about him. I am not sure if he even knew of his blessings. He helped so many people. For me to take this class, James continues to help others, because as corny as this might sound, I had doubts if I had any more roles in serving mankind. I felt I did what I could in my twenties and thirties. I am glad to have known a little something about William James and even though I was only given a hint of the whole picture, he gave me a new Will to Believe.