Major and minor requirements

(Alphabetical list of programs)

+ Africana Studies

132 Shatzel Hall, 419-372-2269

Africana Studies is a major and minor in the College of Arts and Sciences designed for students to pursue an interdisciplinary approach to study by taking courses in a variety of disciplines. It provides studies of the historical, cultural, literary, and artistic aspects of people of African descent worldwide. The arts and humanities focus of this major and minor will help prepare students to effectively negotiate in a world that increasingly requires the crossing of racial, cultural, and disciplinary boundaries in knowledge and vocational pursuits. Various career and graduate studies opportunities are available for students completing this major and minor; these include social sciences, humanities, law, education, ethnic and women's studies, government, policy studies, international relations, diplomatic service, non-profit organizations, and public agencies. Students who plan for a dual degree expand their career and graduate studies opportunities.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the baccalaureate degree, students in Africana Studies are expected to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the interdisciplinary and cross-cultural nature of Africana Studies;
• Improve their organizing and critical analysis skills through research and writings;
• Be familiar with the creativity and diversity that exist among Africana peoples worldwide;
• Exhibit ability to utilize interdisciplinary approaches used in, and the range of literatures derived from, scholarly research in the field of Africana Studies;
• Be able to critically analyze social and cultural issues pertinent to Africana peoples from interdisciplinary and cross-cultural perspectives; and
• Apply concepts of African continuity and unity when analyzing cultures of Africa and the African Diaspora.

Major, Bachelor of Arts — click for 2009-2010 course requirements
The major requires 30 semester hours, 9 of which can be drawn from Africana Studies core courses and a minimum of 21 from the interdisciplinary offerings.

Minor only (21 hours)
Required courses

• AFRS 200, 400

15 hours of Africana Interdisciplinary courses:

• ACS 300;
• ARTH 461, 462, 463, 495*;
• ETHN 120, 220, 300, 320, 340, 430, 480*;
• GEOG 347;
• HIST 314, 315, 317, 400*, 413, 432, 402, 403, 404;
• HDFS 107;
• KNS 395*;
• MUCT 233, 237, 421E, 431;
• POLS 400*;
• POPC 170, 380*;
• ROML 220;
• THFM 350;
• WS 300*.

9 of these hours must be in courses at the 300 level or higher and selected from at least three departments.

*Only when offered on Africana studies topics.

Course offerings periodically change. Consult the director of Africana Studies for current information.

Electives:

• Language: majors and minors may elect to take 6 of non-English, European languages spoken by people of African descent, including French, Spanish, Portuguese.
• Study Abroad: majors and minors are encouraged to take 3-6 hours of study abroad courses by participating in one of three seminars:
  • Ghana (College of Music and School of Art);
  • Burkina Faso (Romance and Classical Studies); and
  • Republic of Benin (History Department)