image description
Print

African American Studies Minor

Edwins Gwako, Department of Sociology and Anthropology

The African American Studies minor is interdisciplinary and it celebrates the achievements of people of African descent in Africa and the Diaspora while addressing their pursuit of justice, equality, and self-determination. It focuses on cultures, societies, histories and concerns of people of African descent in Africa and the Diaspora including North America, the Caribbean and other parts of the world. It balances the study of race relations and racism with a celebration of African and African American achievements and contributions to the United States and the wider world. It provides a basis for better understanding among people in multicultural societies, multiracial nations and helps prepare students for a wide range of careers in such fields as criminal justice, education, law, health care, human relations, management, marketing, sports management and social work.

Minor Requirements

The minor requires a minimum of 16 credit hours (four courses). The four courses must be taken in at least two different disciplinary departments. No more than one of these courses may be at the 100 level. Other requirements are as follows:

  • One course from: 4 credits
    • HIST 225 African American History
    • SOAN 106 Introduction to African Heritage
  • African Connections: one course from: 4 credits
    • ENGL 334 African Women Writers
    • FREN 311 The Francophone World
    • HIST 241 Africa to 1800
    • HIST 242 Africa since 1800
    • HIST 343 Women in Modern Africa
    • PSCI 222 African Government & Politics
    • SOAN 215 Anthropology of Slavery
    • SOAN 234 Culture & Sexuality in Africa
    • SOAN 235 African Families in Transition
    • SOAN 358 African Cultures in Film
  • The Americas: one course from: 4 credits
    • ENGL 151 HP:Black Women’s History and Literature
    • ENGL 230 African American Literature
    • ENGL 331 Black Women Writers
    • ENGL 332 Black Men Writers
    • ENGL 378 Caribbean Literature
    • HIST 308 The Underground Railroad
    • HIST 315 The Civil Rights Movement
    • JPS 336 Understanding Oppressive Systems
    • JPS 365 Race, Society and Criminal Justice
    • MUS 110 Jazz Appreciation
    • HIL 261 Philosophy and Race
    • PHIL 333 Individual Philosopher: W.E.B. Du Bois
    • PSY 242 Psychology of African Americans
    • PSY 349 Multiculturalism & Psychology
    • REL 234 African American Religion and Theology
    • SOAN 265 Racial and Ethnic Relations
    • SOAN 267 Race and Gender in Media Focus
  • one course from: 4 credits
    • IDS 411Gender & Development in Africa
    • IDS 412 Race, Ethnicity, Psychology & Law
    • IDS 422 Harlem Renaissance
    • IDS 435 Understanding Poverty

Total credit hours required for African American studies minor – 16 credits