Nov 23, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Africana Studies Major, B.A. with Secondary Social Studies Teacher Licensure Concentration


Department of Africana Studies  

College of Letters, Arts and Sciences  

  Available Program Format(s): In-Person  

About the Program


The African American Studies major will provide candidates with a comprehensive understanding of African heritage in this country through examination of African links; the contributions of African American people in the growth and development of the United States; African American community, culture, lifestyles, political activity, religious development, community service and resource assistance; as well as the prognosis and potential for social change.

Students interested in an Africana Studies Major only should search the catalog separately for that program.

Student Outcomes


  • List and identify the major contributions of African Americans over the past 400 years and of the peoples of African descent from the earliest times (from Ancient Egypt) to the present in various areas such as history, politics, arts religion, economics, etc. 
  • Define and examine the evolution of the multidisciplinary field of Africana Studies  
  • Explain the key social, economic, political, and cultural issues and challenges facing African Americans and peoples of African descent, including those on Continental Africa, such as slavery, racism, colonialism, political disfranchisement, economic underdevelopment, educational disparities, neo-colonialism and judicial inequalities, etc. 
  • Compare and contrast the similarities and differences in the experiences of African Americans and peoples of African descent, such as historical achievements, economic development, state formations, cultural achievements, slavery and freedom, colonialism, and struggles for independence and equality. 
  • Discuss and analyze the methodological approaches used to study Africana Studies. 
  • Demonstrate mastery of pedagogical strategies in Social Studies for secondary school teaching.
  • Connect Literacy and Math-Utilize literacy, including Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD), strategies as well as mathematics when teaching Social Studies.
  • Create Inclusive Teaching Environment-Create a safe, inclusive and respectful learning environment that facilitates Social Studies learning for diverse populations, including CLD students.
  • Plan and deliver effective instruction in History, Civics, and Geography.
  • Demonstrate professionalism as a teacher candidate through ethical conduct, reflection, and leadership.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of first and second language acquisition and teaching strategies for CLD students.

General Degree Requirements


To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the four areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements. 

Program Requirements


  • A total of at least 124 semester hours are required for graduation. 
  • A grade of C- or better is required for each course in this program to count toward the bachelor’s degree. All courses required for teacher licensure must be passed with a grade of C- or higher. Students should note that programs differ in the minimum grade required. 
  • This program is defined as an extended major .

General Studies Requirements: 33 credits


Students should consult the General Studies Requirements  for a list of courses that fulfill the General Studies Requirements for degree completion.  

Courses recommended below will satisfy both General Studies and additional degree requirements below.

 

** Students will fulfill the global diversity requirement by taking an approved course within one of the following categories: arts and humanities; historical; natural and physical sciences; or social and behavioral sciences. 

Ethnic Studies & Social Justice Requirement: 0 or 3 credits


  • Students should consult the Ethnic Studies & Social Justice Graduation Requirement  for a list of courses that fulfill the ESSJ Requirement for degree completion.  
  • Many programs include courses that meet this requirement. Students should consult with their advisor to determine what program courses may fulfill this requirement. 

Africana Studies Major Electives: 12 credits


Select 12 semester hours of Africana Studies electives in consultation with an advisor.

Additional Content Courses Secondary Social Studies Licensure: 27 credits


All students must complete nine (9) Social Science courses for this concentration. Note that six credits below can also satisfy General Studies Social and Behavioral Science requirement. Three credits can satisfy the General Studies Historical requirement. Additionally, GEG 1100 can satisfy three credits of the General Studies Natural and Physical Science requirement.

Senior Experience: 12 credits


Student Teaching offers an essential conclusion to this degree program. Typically, students should register for 12 credits of EDS 4290 in their final semester. Students who register for only 6 credits of EDS 4290 should also register for 6 credits of CLD 4590 Culturally and Linguistically Diverse: ESL Student Teaching and Seminar

Summary of Requirements


General Studies Requirements 33 credits
ESSJ Requirement 0-3 credits
Africana Studies Major Core 24 credits
Africana Studies Major Electives 12 credits
Additional Content Courses Secondary Social Studies Licensure 27 credits
Foundation and Methods for Secondary Education 31 credits
Senior Experience 12 credits
Total for the Africana Studies Major, B.A. with Secondary Social Studies Licensure Total Minimum of 124 credits

Required courses for the major may also count for General Studies and ESSJ requirements, so the total credits listed may be greater than the number required to complete the degree. Therefore, it is important that you work with your advisor to make sure you are meeting requirements for your degree.

Up to 15 of the 33 General Studies credits in this program may be fulfilled through requirements for the degree.