Program Overview
The minor in African and African American Studies (AFST) provides students with a comprehensive, interdisciplinary academic program that focuses on 1) critical theories on race, 2) African and African diasporic history, culture and literature, and 3) the religious, political, and social dimensions of Black life. The program examines subject matter related to African contexts (both the historical study of such contexts and the study of current populations), as well as African diasporic cultures (including historic and contemporary migrations), with a focus on the African diasporic presence in the Americas. Thus, courses offered in the AFST minor address the experience of African Americans but also more broadly explore the global Black experience and its relationship to Black life in the Americas.
Undergraduate Policies
For undergraduate policies and procedures, please review the Office of Undergraduate Studies section of the General Bulletin.
Program Requirements
Minor Requirements (15 total credits required)
1. Introductory Course:
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
HSTY 252A | Introduction to African-American Studies | 3 |
2. One course from each of the following three domains:
History
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
HSTY 135 | Introduction to Modern African History | 3 |
HSTY 262 | African-American History Since 1945 | 3 |
HSTY 318 | History of Black Women in the U.S. | 3 |
HSTY 381 | | 3 |
HSTY 393 | Advanced Readings in the History of Race | 3 |
HSTY 395 | History of Medicine | 3 |
HSTY 399 | Advanced Readings in Black History | 3 |
Culture, Literature, and Religious Life
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
ENGL 363H | | 3 |
ENGL 365N | Topics in African-American Literature | 3 |
ETHS 295 | The Francophone World | 3 |
MUGN 212 | History of Rock and Roll | 3 |
MUHI 314 | | 3 |
MUHI 315 | History of Jazz and American Popular Music | 3 |
RLGN 151 | Introducing Africana Religions | 3 |
RLGN 222 | | 3 |
RLGN 265 | | 3 |
RLGN 302 | The Lemonade Class: Religion, Race, Sex and Black Music | 3 |
RLGN 311 | | 3 |
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
POSC 369 | Social Justice Issues in Latin America | 3 |
SOCI 202 | Race and Ethnic Minorities in The United States | 3 |
SOCI 328 | Capitalism, Cities, and Inequality | 3 |
SOCI 366 | Racial Inequality and Mass Imprisonment in the US | 3 |
3. One elective, selected from one of the three domains above: History; Culture, Literature, and Religious Life; or Social and Behavioral Sciences
Please note that no more than 6 credit hours may overlap between this minor and requirements for another minor.