Cluster of disciplines informs your understanding of America

Discuss how your particular cluster of disciplines informs your understanding of America. The discussion board number you've been assigned corresponds to the list below.
What does fluency in these areas allow you to “study” (ie. analyze) about America? What about America does expertise in these fields allow you to
see/understand that others may not be able to grasp?
For the purposes of this assignment, I'm expecting everyone to compose a single, brief post (~200 words).
History/Politics
Communication/Media Studies
Social Sciences (Ethnic, Gender, Class-based analysis)
Literature and the Arts
Sciences and Engineering
Business, Economics, and/or Labor Studies
Urban Studies/Geography
Philosophy, Ethics, and Psychology