African American Studies
Program Description
African American Studies is an interdisciplinary program that celebrates the struggles and achievements of African Americans as well as Africans and peoples of African descent in other parts of the Diaspora. Study includes the important cultural, historical, political and social experiences that facilitate an understanding of the role of race and culture in African American life; the centrality of African civilization in the formation of the modern world; and the ongoing global struggle for justice, equality and self-determination for African peoples everywhere. Courses are taught from different disciplinary and philosophical perspectives and students are encouraged in their development of self-knowledge. They also have the opportunity to hone their critical thinking, writing and research skills and are encouraged to study abroad and/or perform service work. Ultimately, students graduating from the program have an appreciation for human diversity and are prepared for a wide range of careers in such fields as human relations, social work, sports management, health care, criminal justice, education, management, and law, or graduate studies in the field.
African American Studies is a double major that requires students to have a second major in a discipline and an advisor in both the disciplinary major and African American Studies. The major requires at least eight courses (32 credit hours) in three different disciplines and two different college divisions. No more than two of these courses may be at the 100 level.
Major Requirements
Historical Dimensions: African American History (History 225).
Creative Voices: African American Literature (English 230), or Black Women Writers (English 331), or Black Men Writers (English 332)
Theoretical Frameworks : Psychology of African Americans (Psychology 242) or Multiculturalism and Psychology (Psychology 349) or Racial and Ethnic Relations (SOAN 265).
African Connections: at least one, but no more than three courses about
Practical Applications : A one-semester advanced internship or independent study in the senior year supervised by a faculty member teaching regularly in the African American Studies Program.
Courses in the Major
Business and Policy
Justice and Policy Studies 365 Race and the Criminal Justice System
Justice and Policy Studies 437 Multicultural Communication
Justice and Policy Studies 439 Understanding Oppressive Systems
Arts
Theatre Studies 102 Jazz Dance
Music 110 Jazz Appreciation
Humanities
English 151 Historical Perspectives: Black Women's History and Literature
English 230 African-American Literature
English 331 Black Women Writers
English 332 Black Men Writers
English 334 African Women Writers
English 338/IDS 422
English 378
History 225 African American History
History 241
History 242
History 308 Underground Railroad
History 315 Civil Rights Movement
History 343/IDS 401 Women in Modern
IDS 462 Literature and Psychoanalysis
Religion 103 Voices of Liberation
Philosophy 261 Philosophy and Race
Philosophy 333 W.E.B. Dubois (Individual Philosopher)
PSCI 222 African Government and Politics
Social Science
Psychology 242 Psychology of African Americans
Psychology/SOAN 213 Race, Class, and Gender
Psychology 349 Multiculturalism and Psychology
SOAN 215 Anthropology of Slavery
SOAN 235 African Families in Transition
SOAN 265 Racial and Ethnic Relations
SOAN 325/IDS 435 Understanding Poverty
SOAN 358 African Cultures
SOAN 415/IDS 400 Gender and Development in Africa
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