Date of Award
Spring 5-2015
Degree Type
Capstone
Degree Name
Master of Arts in American Studies (MAST)
Department
Interdisciplinary Studies
Committee Chair/First Advisor
Rebecca Hill
Second Advisor
Linda Niemann
Abstract
This capstone project explores different themes ranging from bureaucracy to suburban life, from popularity of guns in the South to suburban life and metal fandom, both borrowing ideas from scholars who have done research on these subjects before as well as employing different experiences of mine as an international student, trying to survive in a country where international students are not much welcomed in practise. Comparing my own experiences with other people's experiences, especially with those who are from other Middle Eastern countries, this project aims to show how life can be hard for foreign students, and how little Americans know about other cultures even though America is supposed to be one giant Salad Bowl. This project also explains some truly American terms such as American Dream, attraction of suburban lifestyle, gun craze, from a foreigners point of view.