Overview and Learning Goals

Overview and Learning Goals

Africana studies offers courses in the following fields of study: African American; African, and African diaspora. Over the course of their major/minor in Africana studies, students acquire knowledge and develop skills through coursework, independent studies, and, in some cases, a senior honors project. These skills and knowledge include:

• learning about the past and present of the African continent and its diaspora, with a particular focus on the United States, by employing interdisciplinary methods;
• writing clear and concise arguments about the historical, literary, economic, political, social, visual, and religious texts of Africa and its diaspora;
• working collaboratively with peers and/or faculty on research pertaining to African American and African political thought and historical contexts;
• speaking or performing coherently to a diverse audience about a specific topic pertaining to African American and African culture and politics; and
• designing a project using primary and secondary sources regarding Africa and its diaspora.

Options for Majoring or Minoring in the Department

Students may elect to major in Africana studies or to coordinate a major in Africana studies with digital and computational studies, education, or environmental studies. Students pursuing a coordinate major may not normally elect a second major. Non-majors may elect to minor in Africana studies. 

Department Website