African and African-American Studies
Coordinator: Associate Professor Longmire-Avital
Advisory Program Faculty
Professors: Digre, Irons
Associate Professors: Knight, Ward-Johnson
Assistant Professors: Blake, Carew, Dyce, Idris, Sells-Marcus, Williams
Lecturer: Reid
This program takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of African, African-American and other African diasporic experiences, connecting the past with the present. The program is highly recommended for students majoring in education, human service studies, psychology, sociology and anthropology, political science and policy studies, English, history, international studies, communications, public health studies and other programs leading to work with African and African-descended peoples. Through connected study, the student not only takes a fresh approach to learning, but also develops an individualized study plan.
The minor requires a minimum of 20 credit hours, including a foundation seminar course in Black studies. While not required, students are encouraged to also participate in a high impact experiential learning opportunity. Internships, study abroad, independent study, and undergraduate research focusing on African, African-American and other African diasporic experiences are all options for minors. To satisfy minor requirements, students must select courses from at least two departments. At least one course must focus on the African experience and another on the African-American experience. Students, who take a course that connects the African and African-American experiences, may obtain approval from the program coordinator to have the course count in both areas.
Up to 12 semester hours of study abroad courses that emphasize African and African-American subject matter may count for the minor with the approval of the program coordinator. Students should be aware that to study abroad, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required; some international programs require a higher GPA.