The Advanced Certificate in American Studies from Empire State College is the multidisciplinary inquiry into the history, literature, art, politics, religion, sociology and culture of the United States from its origins to the present. Finish in as few as 2 semesters. This interdisciplinary approach to culture and society is valuable as part of a general liberal arts education andalso is of particular importance in our increasingly multicultural society. The Advanced Certificate in American Studies exposes students to the foundations of American history and culture with particular attention to issues of race, gender, class and the formation of American identity. Primary and secondary sources are taken from multimedia examples in historical archives,modern film,advertising, architectural objects and performance art. Students will further develop their graduate-level analytic and writing abilities, as well as their advanced research skills.