Africana Studies Advising Guide

Introduction

Africana Studies examines the diverse experiences of African people worldwide, focusing especially but not exclusively on African, African American and Caribbean affairs and culture. Using the tools of the social sciences and humanities, we investigate the structures, organizations, problems and perspectives of blacks in Africa and the African Diaspora. Our mission is to advance the study and understanding of the historical as well as the contemporary connections among Africana communities.

As a discipline, Africana Studies acquaints students with myriad ways of thinking (historical, sociological, anthropological, geographical, political, psychoanalytic and literary), researching (ethnographic, quantitative, and qualitative methods), and writing about Africana people. Issues of particular interest to Africana Studies scholars include: African agency, Diasporic identities, colonialism, the Atlantic slave trade and New World slavery, decolonization, independence, nationalism, post-colonialism and migration). 

Courses appropriate for prospective majors

AFST 100, Introduction to Africana Studies

Introductory courses that fulfill distribution requirements

Division II: 

 AFST 100, Introduction to Africana Studies

 Comparative Civilizations: 

 AFST 100, Introduction to Africana Studies

Courses in the Major

 11 courses and an Experiential Learning Component: 

AFST 100, Introduction to Africana Studies
AFST 200, Approaches to Africana Studies

Four Africana Studies approved courses, two in Africa and two in the Diaspora

Three courses in an area of concentration (e.g., with focus on Africa or the Diaspora)

AFST 400, Writing in Africana Studies

One elective, which focuses on topics relevant to Africana Studies, including courses which study race,               diaspora, Latin America, colonialism, post-colonialism, etc.

Suggested Four Year Program

First Year: AFST 100; AFST 200

Second Year: Three courses to fulfill the Africa/African Diaspora requirement; Africana Studies Elective

Third Year: One course to fulfill Africa/Africana Diaspora requirement; Two Africana Studies courses at the 300-level; Experiential Learning

Fourth Year: Africana Studies, AFST 400

Course descriptions, requirements for the major refer to the  College Bulletin.

Additional remarks   

The Experiential Learning component of the Africana Studies major complements classroom instruction by requiring students to engage directly with people of African descent through some form of cultural immersion in Africa or in the Diaspora. By doing so, students will come to understand and evaluate issues relevant to these communities more substantively.  Examples of experiential learning opportunities that may be approved by the Department include: Study Abroad, Service Learning Courses, Mosaic Programs, Internships, Independent Research.