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Africana Studies Concentration

Henry Rietz, Chair

The Africana Studies concentration offers an interdisciplinary program for the study of Africans and peoples of African descent. Students examine Afro-American culture as an integral part of American culture and receive an introduction to intellectual traditions and practices in Africa and the African diaspora through core courses in literature, history, and sociology. Students choose additional courses through a variety of other disciplines in the arts, the humanities, and the social sciences. In addition to completing the required coursework, concentrators must participate in the senior seminar.

Required, a minimum of 24 credits as follows:

1. Africana Studies 211 Foundations of Africana Studies

2. Two 4-credit courses required, chosen from the following:

  • Economics 215 Labor Economics
  • English 229 The Tradition of African American Literature
  • History 227 African-American History
  • Music 250 Topics in Music and Culture

3. Elective courses (8 credits) chosen from the following:

  • *American Studies 275 Topics in American Culture
  • *American Studies 495 Seminar in American Studies
  • Classics/Art 248 Greek Archaeology and Art
  • Classics/Art 250 Roman Archaeology and Art
  • Classics/History 255 History of Ancient Greece
  • Classics/History 256 History of Rome
  • *Education 101 Educational Principles in a Pluralistic Society
  • *Education 210 Perspectives on Educational Issues
  • English 225 Introduction to Postcolonial Literatures
  • English 229 The Tradition of African American Literature
  • English 329 Studies in African American Literature
  • English 360 Seminar in Postcolonial Literature
  • French 305 Contemporary Francophone Cultures
  • History 211 Colonial and Revolutionary America 1450-1788
  • History 214 The American Civil War and Reconstruction
  • History 227 African American History
  • History 261 Southern Africa
  • History 31x Advanced Studies in Amrican History
  • History 32x Advanced Studies in American and Lantin American History
  • Music 216 The Jazz Tradition in America
  • *Music 268 Regional Studies in World Music
  • Political Science 262 African Politics
  • *Political Science 319 Advanced Seminar in Constitutional Law and Politics
  • Religion 240 The Bible and Liberation
  • *Sociology 270 Gender and Society
  • Sociology 275 Race and Ethnicity in America
  • Theatre 202 Dramatic Literature II

* Varying content requires the approval of the concentration committee. Special topic courses (195, 295, 395) and other variable content courses may be counted toward core course requirements with approval from the Africana Studies adviser.

Students may petition the Africana Studies concentration to have a course included in their elective requirements if it meets the following criteria:

  • The subject matter of the course as evidenced by the syllabus integrates issues of race with reference to Africans or peoples of African descent.
  • The subject matter of the course as evidenced by the syllabus explores in some detail theoretical and methodological approaches to Africa and the African diaspora as intellectual configurations.

4. Senior Seminar 495

211 Foundations of Africana Studies (Fall) 4 credits+

This interdisciplinary course introduces issues and themes related to the experience of people and communities of the African diaspora. The readings are particularly intended to foster critical thinking about " race," " identity," and " communities of meaning" ; and to introduce the political implications of constructing narratives about the African diaspora. Prerequisites: second-year standing or permission of the instructor. GIBEL AZOULAY.

495 Senior Seminar (Spring) 4 credits

An interdisciplinary seminar for students completing the concentration in Africana Studies. Topics vary with broad application of methodological skills and theoretical orientations. Prerequisites: Africana Studies 211, one core course from category 2, and four additional credits from core or elective courses (categories 2 or 3), or permission of instructor. STAFF.


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