Undergraduate Program

African and African American Studies has developed as an interdisciplinary field, drawing from conversation and methods situated in several disciplines. The curriculum stresses the significance of the skills necessary to think critically and argue persuasively. Students are exposed to theory and research and are encouraged to be involved in active research and service beyond the classroom.

Major Requirements

Students who major in African and African American studies must complete a minimum requirement of nine one-semester courses offered by the department on the Lincoln Center or Rose Hill campuses. Students may select electives from courses in English, literary studies, history, art and music history, and political science that have been cross listed by the department.

Core Requirements

1. Africa Requirement: Complete AFAM 1600 or a higher level course on Africa

2. Caribbean Requirement: Complete AFAM 3150 or an equivalent on the Caribbean

3. African-American History: Complete AFAM 1100, AFAM 2100, HS 3792 or an equivalent course on African American History

4. Being and Becoming Black in the Atlantic World: AFAM 3730 (Students are expected to take Being and Becoming Black by their junior year)

5. Senior Research Seminar: AFAM 4890

Courses 6-9 - African and African American Studies Electives

Minor Requirements

Students who minor in African and African American studies must complete a minimum requirement of six one-semester courses offered by the department on the Lincoln Center or Rose Hill campuses. Students may select electives from courses in English, literary studies, history, art and music history, and political science that have been cross listed by the department.

Core Requirements

1. Africa Requirement: Complete AFAM 1600 or a higher level course on Africa

2. African-American History: Complete AFAM 1100, AFAM 2100, or an equivalent course on African American History

Courses 3-6 - African and African American Studies Electives

African Studies Area of Concentration for International Studies

The department also offers an area concentration in African studies for the International/Intercultural studies major.

In addition to the four required courses common to all International Studies majors, the area of concentration in African Studies consist of:

1. Six courses chosen to provide area proficiency in contemporary issues in Africa

2. Senior Thesis: One course, plus advisor-guided thesis

Foreign Languages

Students choosing the African studies area concentration are advised to demonstrate their foreign language proficiency in a language relevant to the study of Africa, such French, Swahili, Arabic, Portugese... etc.

Study Abroad

African and African American Studies majors should consider the possibility of studying abroad during their junior year, possibility through the university study abroad office. Such a program will give them an extremely valuable perspective on Africa and its Diaspora, and at the same time will enrich their understanding of the history and culture of their host society.