Meet some of our American Studies majors.
Mikayla Woods '25
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Major: American Studies, Black Studies; minor: English
Can you describe your working relationships with American Studies professors?
I have had such a positive experience with the American Studies professors. My advisor, Professor Prebel, has assisted me with professional development, writing skills, and extracurricular opportunities. I am constantly in the American Studies office hours, and I love catching up with the professors. One of the standout classes I have taken has been "Feminist Rhetorics." I loved this class because it taught me how to read sources against the grain and critically look at the way women’s voices are being represented.
Have you taken part in any student research opportunities at Oxy or elsewhere?
At Oxy, I conducted undergraduate research in Spring 2022, and I was recently granted the Ray A. Billington Fellowship for this summer. Last spring I worked with Professor Ford, conducting research on the book, Sentient Flesh: Thinking in Disorder, Poiesis in Black by R.A. Judy. This summer I will be working under the mentorship of Professor Prebel conducting research on Sojourner Truth’s 1828 court case where she sues for the freedom of her son, Peter. I am conducting this research with the goal of getting an article published on Black Motherhood within the Antebellum Legal System: The Legal History of Sojourner Truth.
I find American Studies compelling because of its diverse and interdisciplinary nature. This diversity keeps me extremely engaged, and it allows me to explore all of my passions.
What do you find most compelling about studying American Studies?
I find American Studies compelling because of its diverse and interdisciplinary nature. Through American Studies, I am able to take classes that intersect with Black Studies, English, Sociology, and many more fields. This diversity keeps me extremely engaged, and it allows me to explore all of my passions.
What are your ambitions post-Oxy and how has the liberal arts approach helped to shape these ambitions?
After graduating from Occidental I plan on attending a Ph.D. program in Black Studies or History. After this program, I want to become a Black Studies professor with a specialization on enslaved women.
Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in American Studies?
My advice would be to take as wide a range of classes as possible. Something great about the American Studies program is that we have such a diverse range of courses, so I would recommend taking the class that might be out of your comfort zone. In my experience, those have been some of the most impactful.
Olivia Loscavio '24
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Major: American Studies; minor: Comparative Studies in Literature & Culture, Interdisciplinary Writing
What was your motivation to major in American Studies? Was there a specific inspirational moment or experience?
My motivation to join the American Studies department came from my research interests. I knew that I wanted to study the far-Right and right-wing conspiracy theories, and this was the major that most readily allowed access to those areas of study. I took a class my first year called “Origins of the New Right”, in which I had the opportunity to study right-wing propaganda and paranoia. Additionally, I liked the professors and other students in the major, so it felt like a great fit!
Have you taken part in any student research opportunities at Oxy or elsewhere?
I have taken part in three separate research projects at Oxy, two of which were under the direction of the American Studies department. In Spring 2022, I worked with Professor Lukes on a project attempting to explain the unexpected coalition of the religious Right, libertarianism, and alternative spiritual communities that make up the New Right. My second project in the department was also under the advisement of Professor Lukes, but I got to create my research focus. I studied the ways in which members of online QAnon communities interacted with each other in order to produce new interpretations of the conspiracy.
One of the things I wish more students knew about this major is how many fascinating classes American Studies offers!
Are there any standout classes you’ve taken?
Yes, one of the things I wish more students knew about this major is how many fascinating classes American Studies offers! My favorites have been “Origins of the New Right,” “Feminist Rhetorics of Social Change,” and “Psychic Life of Violence.” In “Origins of the New Right,” we looked at the historical, social, and political formations that have constructed what we think of as “The Right” in American politics. In “Feminist Rhetorics of Social Change,” we learned about the history of feminist rhetorics and how different traditions of feminist rhetorics came out of different cultural struggles. My current favorite class is “Psychic Life of Violence;” in that class we examine modern instances of racial and political violence in America through the lens of psychoanalysis.
What are your ambitions post-Oxy?
My ambition post-Oxy is to get my Ph.D. in either American Studies or literature. If I continue my education in the field of American Studies, I want to continue my work in conspiracy theories. After my Ph.D., my dream is to become a professor!
What is the “vibe” of the American Studies department?
American Studies has the best vibes :) It’s a really close-knit group of students and professors. I love my major and wouldn’t change it for anything!
To see more Meet Our Majors profiles, visit the main page.