Minor in Africana Studies

About the Minor

The minor in Africana studies was created to provide the opportunity for undergraduate students throughout the University to gain an understanding of and background in the history and cultures of peoples of African descent in North and South America, the Caribbean, and Africa. 

This interdisciplinary minor includes courses in anthropology, history, literature, music, political science, and sociology, and provides an opportunity for directed study in areas of particular interest to the students. The Africana studies minor has intrinsic intellectual value and helps prepare individuals to become contributors to an increasingly pluralistic society. At the same time, this minor allows students interested in business, the sciences, engineering, government, and social services to present to prospective employers a unique academic background.

All prospective students should meet with an advisor from the College as soon as possible.

Program Requirements

Required Courses
AFAS 101Introduction to Africana Studies3.0
AFAS 201Cross Currents in Africana Studies3.0
Students must complete a minimum of 18 credits from the list provided: *18.0
Topics in Africana Arts
Topics in Africana Society
Topics in African History
Topics in Africana Current Events
Gender & Black Popular Culture
Race, Politics and Religion
Politics of Hip Hop
Rum, Rice and Revolution: Caribbean History
Urban Social Justice Practicum I
Urban Social Justice Practicum II
Independent Study in AFAS
Special Topics in Africana Studies
Special Topics in Africana Studies
Introduction to Cultural Diversity
History of African-American Art
African Art
African Dance Technique I
Survey of World Literature (WI)
Post-Colonial Literature
African American Literature
Topics in World Literature **
Seminar in World Literature
American Slavery
Freedom in America
Jazz Ensembles
World Musics
Afro-American Music USA
History of Jazz
City in United States Political Development
Race, Ethnicity and Social Inequality
Urban Sociology
Women and Society in a Global Context
Special Topics in Women's and Gender Studies ***
Total Credits24.0
*

Students must check with the Program Director for approval prior to making substitutions.

**

With a focus on the Caribbean, Latin America or the Diaspora.

***

With a focus on race or the Diaspora.

Writing-Intensive Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.

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