Reed College
Reed College

American Studies

Sample Junior Qualifying Exam

The exam is by petition only. This is an old example.

Announcement of Junior Qualifying Exam

Please (re) read the article by Chandra Mukerji and Michael Schudson, "Introduction: Rethinking Popular Culture," Rethinking Popular Culture: Contemporary Perspectives in Cultural Studies pp. 1-54 and read Chapter Two of Patrick Houlihan's The Language of the Robe in preparation for your qualifying exam in American Studies. Both articles are available on reserve in the library.

You may discuss the articles and texts between yourselves up until the point you receive the exam questions on Friday April 7th (available via email, on the American Studies webpage, or outside Laura Arnold's office). Once you receive the questions, you should spend no more than eight to ten hours writing your answers. The exam will be due Monday April 10th at 12 noon.

NOTE: If you are planning to write a senior thesis in American Studies beginning in the Fall you must submit an application before taking the qual (ie. before April 7th).

Junior Qualifying Exam

You have now read an article by Chandra Mukerji and Michael Schudson, "Introduction: Rethinking Popular Culture," Rethinking Popular Culture: Contemporary Perspectives in Cultural Studies pp. 1-54 and Chapter Two of Patrick Houlihan's The Language of the Robe in preparation for your qualifying exam in American Studies.

The examination is in three parts, as follows:

  1. Write a brief critical analysis of Mukerji and Schudson's article as a whole. Your analysis needs to include a brief overview of the article as a whole along with a more detailed analysis of two of the disciplinary approaches they outline. (approximately three pages total). Be sure to briefly summarize the argument.

  2. Write a short interpretation of the "Smokey the Bear Blanket" in two parts (See http://www.sfol.holowww.com/sfol/art/dewey/smokeyblanket.html AND http://www.sfol.holowww.com/sfol/art/dewey/smokey.html.). In the first part apply the first disciplinary approach to the Blanket. In the second part apply the second disciplinary approach to the same Blanket. You should pay some attention to the describing the formal qualities of the object (the Blanket). You may refer to concepts or history raised in Houlihan's Language of the Robe if you find it helpful. (approximately 4 pages total)

  3. Briefly analyze the difference the two approaches made to your understanding of the Blanket. (one page)

You may not discuss the articles and texts between yourselves at this point in the exam. You should spend no more than eight to ten hours writing your answers. The essays should be approximately a total of eight pages. The exam is due Monday April 10th at 12 noon.