| |
| |
Mar 15, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Africana Studies Major, B.A.
|
|
About the Program
The Department of Africana Studies offers an interdisciplinary curriculum that examines the histories, cultures, and lived experiences of African-descended peoples across Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe, and beyond, and provides practical skill-building in the scientific study of those experiences. Courses explore topics such as Black political thought, cultural expression, social movements, religion, and global systems of power and resistance. Students gain critical thinking, research, writing, and intercultural communication skills that prepare them for careers in education, public service, media, law, and other fields. Africana Studies fosters a deep understanding of the global African experience while equipping students to engage thoughtfully and effectively in diverse professional and civic contexts.
Student Outcomes
Upon completion of this program students will be able to:
- Demonstrate a broad and interdisciplinary understanding of the histories, cultures, religions, and lived experiences of African-descended peoples across Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe, and beyond.
- Define, apply, and evaluate key theories and concepts-including colonialism, racism, diaspora, resistance, and liberation-to analyze global systems of power and their effects on African-descended communities.
- Employ interdisciplinary research methods-including both quantitative and qualitative approaches-to investigate Africana experiences, evaluate evidence, and produce scholarly or applied research.
- Communicate effectively through clear and persuasive writing, oral presentation, and intercultural dialogue that demonstrate command of Africana Studies concepts and perspectives.
- Articulate and apply concepts of equity, social justice, and community responsibility to contemporary issues facing African-descended peoples, and engage thoughtfully in civic and professional contexts.
- Analyze and interpret diverse forms of Black cultural expression-including literature, music, art, film, and digital media-as sites of identity, resistance, and social transformation.
- Integrate Africana Studies knowledge and skills into professional pathways-including education, law, public service, policy, media, or community-based work-demonstrating the ability to navigate diverse workplaces and global contexts.
|
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 120 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. Students should note that programs differ in the minimum grade required.
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. - Written Communication (6 credits)
- Oral Communication (3 credits)
- Quantitative Literacy (3 credits)
- Arts and Humanities (6 credits)
- Historical (3 credits)
- Natural and Physical Sciences (6 credits)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 credits)
- Global Diversity (0 or 3 credits**)
** 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. - Recommended: It is recommended that students fulfill this requirement by taking one of the following courses which are part of the Africana Studies major.
Required Courses: 12 credits
Students should complete 12 credit hours of core requirements by taking the following four courses. Elective Cluster Requirements: 18 credits
Cluster Requirements (18 credits) Students will take 18 credit hours of elective courses. At least two elective courses must be from the same thematic cluster. CLUSTER THEMES Experiential/Global Requirements: 6 credits
Experiential/Global Component (6 credits) Students must complete six credits of course instruction or structured learning experience that applies Africana Studies concepts beyond the traditional classroom. Options may include internships, community-engaged projects, study abroad or study away programs, global learning courses, or research-based fieldwork. This requirement ensures that students connect Africana worldviews, methodologies, and histories to real-world contexts-locally, nationally, or globally-while developing practical, community-centered, and intercultural competencies. Course options are equivalent, but not limited to: Senior Experience: 3 credits
Senior Experience Requirement (3 credits) Students complete a capstone-level course that synthesizes key concepts, methods, and debates in Africana Studies. Through advanced research, applied projects, or community-engaged work, students demonstrate their mastery of Africana Studies approaches and produce a culminating project that reflects their intellectual growth, critical analysis, and readiness for graduate study or professional pathways. Summary of Requirements
| General Studies Requirements | 33 credits | | ESSJ Requirement | 0-3 credits | | Major Requirements | 15 credits | | Major Electives | 18 credits | | Experiential/Global Requirement | 6 credits | | Senior Experience | 3 credits | | Unrestricted Electives | 45-60 credits | | Total for the Africana Studies Major, B.A. | 120 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. |
|
|
|
