African American Studies

African American Studies Degree
Bachelor of Arts, Minor
Program Type:
Major, Minor
Career Path:
Humanities
Program Site:
College or School:
Why study African American Studies?
African American Studies is designed to provide students with a solid disciplinary understanding of African American Studies and critical interdisciplinary scholarship. It is rooted in the spirit of the University’s motto, Pro Humanitate, and its commitment to broad-based education.
- The program annually sponsors several events designed to spark thought around a variety of topics. Recent subjects have included apartheid; disability; Black media philosophy; and political opposition to Black studies in high schools and colleges.
- The program benefits from the expertise of faculty from 18 other areas of study: anthropology; art; biology; cultural heritage preservation; classics; communication; divinity; education; engineering; English; entrepreneurship; environmental studies; history; politics; religion; sociology; theatre and dance; and women’s, gender and sexuality studies.
- The program’s faculty have earned degrees from more than 60 unique institutions in 27 states and three foreign countries.
The African American Studies degree is offered as a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and a minor.
What classes would I take?
Our model and curriculum educate the whole person and often help students discover interests they had never previously discovered. Students generally take 100-200 level courses during their first year of college, while registering for higher level courses as upperclassmen.
Sample courses* that you will take in African American Studies include:
100-200 level
- Africa in World History
- Theories and Methods in African American Studies
- African American Cultural Criticism
- Black Popular Culture
- African American Intellectual Studies
300 level
- African-American Poetry
- Politics of Black Religion
- Politics of Black Liberation
- Themes in Africana Philosophy
- Race, Memory, and Identity
* Course availability and offerings can change at any time. Refer to the Academic Bulletin to view all major requirements.
Are there extracurricular activities?
Joining a club or organization is a great way to get involved and do more with your major. Our African American Studies students participate in the following programs:
- Black Student Alliance
- African and Caribbean Students Association
What kind of job can I get?
Careers that often interest African American Studies majors, and fields our graduates work in, often include:
- Civil Services Worker
- Cultural Resources Manager
- Foreign Service Specialist
- Human Resources
- Journalist
- Linguist/Interpreter
- Media Relations Specialist
- Political Analyst
- Professor
- State and Local Government
- Social Worker
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