Major and Minor in African American Studies
The Major and Minor in African American Studies were redesigned in 2021. The new requirements will apply to all students who matriculate in Fall Semester 2021 and thereafter (see College Catalog pdf archives for major and minor requirements before Fall 2021).
The Major in African American Studies requires at least nine credits, while the Minor in African American Studies requires at least six credits. Students must earn at least a C- in any course that counts toward the major in African American Studies. Students must earn at least a C average (2.0) in all courses selected to fulfill the major or minor requirements in African American Studies. No more than three courses with grades of "P" will be counted toward the major in African American Studies. No more than two courses with grades of "P" will be counted toward the minor in African American Studies. All courses taken for a "P" grade must earn at least a "C-" or better.
Requirements for the Major:
1. One required introductory course:
- Afam 110: Introduction to African American Studies
2. One required literature course:
- Afam 216: African American Literature I or
- Afam 217: African American Literature II
3. Two required history courses:
- Afam 202: African American History 1619-1865
- Afam 203: African American History 1865-2016
4. One required philosophy course:
- Afam 206: Letters to a Young Black Philosopher or
- Afam 271: African Philosophy or
- Afam 272: African American Philosophy
5. One required politics course
- Afam 200: Black Politics and Protest
6. At least two electives from the following list with one at 300-level or above:
- Afam 205: Psychology of Prejudice
- Afam 206: Letters to a Young Black Philosopher
- Afam 214: James Baldwin
- Afam 215: Afrofuturism
- Afam 219: Malcolm & Martin: The Literature of Peace & Resistance
- Afam 221: Cultures of Modern Africa
- Afam 225: Islam in America
- Hist 226: American Civil War
- Afam 227: History of Jazz
- Afam 228: History of Hip Hop
- Afam 230: Africa and the World
- Afam 235: Racism and Ethnic Relations
- Afam 237: African American Religions
- Afam 238: Hip-Hop Music Producers: American Music in Black, White, and Gray
- Afam 240: Street Memoirs
- Afam 241: African American Drama and Theater
- Afam 250: Dialogue: Race, Ethnicity, Religion
- Afam 255: Philosophy of Race and Racism
- Afam 258: Fight the Power
- Pols 270: Race and Criminal Justice
- Afam 271: African Philosophy
- Afam 272: African American Philosophy
- Afam 273: Cultural Ecology of Africa
- Afam 275: Black Her-story
- Afam 283: Race, Class, Gender, and the Media
- Afam 284: Music of Protest
- Afam 305: Women and Gender in Hip Hop
- Afam 310: Equity and Social Justice in Education
- Afam 312: Black Metropolis
- Afam 317: History of Black Television
- Afam 319: Protest and Police in U.S. History
- Afam 323: Black Environmental Culture
- Afam 327: 21st Century Black Authors
- Afam 330: History and Philosophy of Slavery
- Afam 361: Civil Rights Movement
- Pols 363: The Fourteenth Amendment: Civil Rights and Equality
A maximum of two credits may be earned through tutorials, research projects, creative projects or internships.
7. Senior Studies requirement
- Senior Seminar
Requirements for the Minor:
1. One required introductory course:
- Afam 110: Introduction to African American Studies
2. One required literature course:
- Afam 216: African American Literature I or
- Afam 217: African American Literature II
3. One required history course:
- Afam 202: African American History 1619-1865 or
- Afam 203: African American History 1865-2016
4. One required philosophy course:
- Afam 206: Letters to a Young Black Philosopher or
- Afam 271: African Philosophy or
- Afam 272: African American Philosophy
5. One required politics course:
- Afam 200: Black Politics and Protest
6. One elective course at 300-level or above:
- Afam 305: Women and Gender in Hip Hop
- Afam 310: Equity and Social Justice in Education
- Afam 312: Black Metropolis
- Afam 317: History of Black Television
- Afam 319: Protest and Police in U.S. History
- Afam 323: Black Environmental Culture
- Afam 327: 21st Century Black Authors
- Afam 330: History and Philosophy of Slavery
- Afam 361: Civil Rights Movement
- Pols 363: The Fourteenth Amendment: Civil Rights and Equality
A maximum of one credit may be earned through tutorials, research projects, creative projects or internships.