African and African American Studies Major

Other Requirements

Historical Dimensions

1. Select one of the following courses:

   Not resolved to a course
   4
2. AFAM/HIST 225

   African American History (HIST 225)

   Not resolved to a course
3. AFAM/SOAN 106

   Introduction to African Heritage (SOAN 106)

   Not resolved to a course

Creative Voices

1. Select one of the following courses:

   Not resolved to a course
   4
2. MUS 153

   Roots Music in the U.S: Blues, R&B, Soul, & Rock and Roll. 4. Covers the growth and evolution of roots music in America, including blues, rhythm & blues, gospel, soul and country music, and culminating in the birth of rock & roll. Students will learn about these enduring styles, the key artists that defined them, and the social contexts that engendered them. Fulfills arts and diversity in the U.S. requirements (1998). Arts/humanities and sociocultural engagement requirements

   As published: “Roots Music in the U.S: Blues, R&B, Soul, & Rock and Roll”
   2019
3. ENGL 230

   African American Literature. 4. Literary study focusing on major figures of the 19th and 20th centuries, such as Wheatley, Douglass, Hughes, Wright, Hurston, Walker and Morrison.Prerequisite: ENGL 102. Fulfills humanities and diversity in the U.S. requirements (1998). Arts/humanities and sociocultural engagement requirements

   As published: “African American Literature”
   2019
4. ENGL 331

   Black Women Writers. 4. Explores a cross-section of the contemporary and historical writings produced by women of African descent primarily in North America but also in South America, Europe, the Caribbean and Africa. Includes the novel, short story, poetry, drama, autobiography, narrative, essay, interview, letters, reviews and literary criticism.Prerequisite: ENGL 102 and Historical Perspectives. Fulfills humanities and diversity in the U.S. requirements (1998). Arts/humanities and sociocultural engagement requirements

   As published: “Black Women Writers”
   2019
5. ENGL 332

   Black Men Writers. 4. Explores classic and contemporary novels, short stories, drama, poetry, literary criticism, essays and issues by writers such as Ralph Ellison, Richard Wright, Amiri Baraka, August Wilson, Randall Kenan, James Baldwin, Yusef Komunyakaa and Nathan McCall.Prerequisite: ENGL 102 and Historical Perspectives. Fulfills humanities and diversity in the U.S. requirements (1998). Arts/humanities and sociocultural engagement requirements

   As published: “Black Men Writers”
   2019
6. MUS 110

   Jazz Appreciation. 4. Explores the many facets of jazz as a musical art form with regards to ethnicity, cultural, historical and musical evolution. Live performances in and out of the classroom enhance the experience. Fulfills arts and diversity in the U.S. requirements (1998). Arts/humanities and sociocultural engagement requirements

   As published: “Jazz Appreciation”
   2019

Theoretical Frameworks

1. Select one of the following courses:

   Not resolved to a course
   4
2. PHIL 261

   Philosophy and Race. 4

   As published: “Philosophy and Race”
3. PSY 242

   Psychology of African Americans. 4. The study of African Americans from a psychological point of view, with emphasis on theories, research and models as they pertain to African Americans. The course examines a variety of issues, such as: ethnic identity, personality traits, nonverbal communication, racism, mental health and the legal system. Fulfills diversity in the U.S

   As published: “Psychology of African Americans”
4. PSY 349

   Multiculturalism and Psychology. 4. Examines various areas in which multiculturalism has been applied, such as education, mental health and counseling, and inter-group relations. Students investigate cultural differences in development, examine cultural and personal identity and explore ways of improving relations among cultures.Prerequisite: PSY 100 or 224. Fulfills diversity in the U.S. requirement (1998). Sociocultural engagement requirement

   As published: “Multiculturalism and Psychology”
   2019
5. SOAN 265

   Racial and Ethnic Relations

African Connections and The Americas

1. Select two of the following courses:

   Not resolved to a course
   8
2. ENGL 151

   Historical Perspectives (Variable Title). 4. Prerequisite: ENGL 102. Fulfills historical perspectives requirement (1998 2019)

   As published: “Historical Perspectives (Variable Title)”
3. ENGL 334

   African Women Writers. 4. Explores a range of literary voices from black and white women writers born in countries such as Ghana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Botswana and Uganda.Prerequisite: ENGL 102 and Historical Perspectives. Fulfills humanities and intercultural requirements (1998). Arts/humanities and sociocultural engagement requirements

   As published: “African Women Writers”
   2019
4. FREN 311

   The Francophone World. 4. Study of significant literatures, cultures and major currents of the French-speaking world other than those of France, with particular emphasis on Africa and the Caribbean. Course is repeatable with different topics.Prerequisite: FREN 220 or placement. Fulfills humanities and intercultural requirements (1998). Art/humanities and sociocultural engagement requirements

   As published: “The Francophone World”
   2019
5. HIST 215

   The Civil Rights Movement. 4. Critically examines the reform movement that ended legal racial segregation, secured African American voting rights and renewed the quest for political empowerment, economic reform and social justice in the United States between 1948 and 1972. Includes discussion of related movements: black nationalism, black power, women?s liberation, community control and the ?war on poverty.? Fulfills humanities and social justice/environmental responsibility requirements (1998). Fulfills arts/humanities and evaluating systems and environments requirements

   As published: “The Civil Rights Movement”
   2019
6. HIST 241

   Africa Before 1800. 4. An overview of African history before European colonial rule, focusing on the Iron Age and related civilizations. Introduces the history of such ancient kingdoms and empires as Tekrur, Mali and Songhai, Benin, Oyo and Asante, the Swahili coast, the Kongo and Zimbabwe. Also explores the impact of the European and Arab slave trades. Fulfills humanities and intercultural requirements (1998). Fulfills arts/humanities and sociocultural engagement requirements

   As published: “Africa Before 1800”
   2019
7. HIST 242

   Africa Since 1800. 4. A survey of Africa from the European colonial era to the emergence of African nationalism and modern times. Examines the impact of foreign rule on Africa?s economic, social, cultural and political history. Focuses on sub-Saharan Africa, exploring change in the southern region from both pan-African and global perspectives. Fulfills humanities and intercultural requirements (1998). Fulfills arts/humanities and sociocultural engagement requirements

   As published: “Africa Since 1800”
   2019
8. HIST 308

   The Underground Railroad. 4. Examination of abolitionist activity in the U.S. between 1800 and 1865, emphasizing the historical context, scope and impact of efforts by diverse peoples who helped the enslaved escape to ?freedom? in the northern states and Canada. Each student will help develop and participate in a re-enactment to illustrate how the Underground Railroad operated. Fulfills humanities and social justice/environmental responsibility requirements (1998). Fulfills arts/humanities and evaluating systems and environments requirements

   As published: “The Underground Railroad”
   2019
9. JPS 336

   Understanding Oppressive Systems
   4
10. JPS 365

    Race, Society and Criminal Justice
11. PHIL 333

    Individual Philosopher
12. PSCI 222

    African Government and Politics. 4. This course is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of African governments and their policies and of the relationship of Africa with the rest of the world. Fulfills intercultural requirement (1998). Sociocultural engagement requirement

    As published: “African Government and Politics”
    2019
13. PSY 250

    Special Topics. 1-8

    As published: “Special Topics (ADHD in African American Children)”
14. REL 234

    African American Religion and Theology
    4
15. SOAN 234

    Culture & Sexuality in Africa
    4
16. SOAN 235

    African Families in Transition
    1
17. SOAN 267

    Race and Gender in Media Focus. 4

    As published: “Race and Gender in Media Focus”
18. SOAN 358

    African Cultures in Film
    1

IDS

1. Select one of the following courses:

   Not resolved to a course
   4
2. IDS 411

   Gender & Development in Africa. 4. 4. Uses interdisciplinary African ethnographic films and literature to understand the legitimacy of mainstreaming gender equality and sensitivity as fundamental values that should be reflected in development processes, choices and practices.Prerequisite: Minimum 88 semester credits earned and completion of Historical Perspectives requirement. Fulfills interdisciplinary studies (IDS 400) requirement

   As published: “Gender & Development in Africa”
   1998
3. IDS 412

   Race, Ethnicity, Psychology and Law. 4. 4. Consists of an interdisciplinary approach to the study of African Americans and other racial/ethnic minorities as it relates to psychology and the legal system. Counts as capstone for African and African American studies major.Prerequisite: PSY 100, or two courses in African and African American studies and minimum 88 semester credits earned and completion of Historical Perspectives requirement. Fulfills interdisciplinary studies (IDS 400) requirement

   As published: “Race, Ethnicity, Psychology and Law”
   1998
4. IDS 430

   African Americans in the 21st Century: Back to the Future?. 4. Using a range of related resources from various disciplines, this course examines a range of problems and challenges African Americans have experienced in the past and explores possible outcomes and solutions for the future. The issues are criminal justice, education, social caste, and political empowerment and the time period the 20th century and the first decade of the 21st. Students will be asked to conduct original research on the topic, focusing on one community, either in the United States, or the African Diaspora, as resources are available.Prerequisite: Minimum 88 semester credits earned and completion of Historical Perspectives requirement. Fulfills interdisciplinary studies (IDS 400) and social justice environmental studies requirements (1998). Evaluating systems and environments requirement

   As published: “African Americans in the 21st Century: Back to the Future?”
   2019
5. IDS 435

   Understanding Poverty. 4. 4.Examines the underlying causes and compares anthropological, sociological, political, ecological and economic theories, of poverty. Explores methodological issues in the measurement of poverty and institutional approaches to its alleviation, including both national and international development strategies.Prerequisite: Minimum 88 semester credits earned and completion of Historical Perspectives requirement. Fulfills interdisciplinary studies (IDS 400) requirement

   As published: “Understanding Poverty”
   1998
6. IDS 450

   Special Topic. 8

   As published: “Special Topic (Afrofuturism: Dreaming in Black)”
7. Independent Study or Internship and/or Elective Courses

   Not resolved to a course
   8

Independent Study or Internship and/or Elective Courses

Select one of the following:

Independent Study1

1. AFAM 260

   Independent Study. 1-8. May also be offered at 360 and 460 levels

   As published: “Independent Study”
2. AFAM 360

   Independent Study. 1-8

   As published: “Independent Study”
3. AFAM 460

   Independent Study. 1-8

   As published: “Independent Study”

Internship1

1. AFAM 290

   Internship. 1-8. May also be offered at the 390 level

   As published: “Internship”
2. AFAM 390

   Internship. 1-8

   As published: “Internship”

One course at the 100 level

Electives

Any two additional courses above the 100 level

Thesis

AFAM Thesis (two-semester)