The Africana Studies (AFRS) major is a multidisciplinary academic major (45 units) designed for students who want to gain an understanding of the history, psychology, sociology, literature, culture and education of African-Americans and other Africans in the diaspora and the continent. The three specific options within the major enable students to concentrate their efforts on certain aspects of this broad subject. These options are intended to enhance students preparation for both graduate school and employment. By carefully selecting General Education courses in consultation with an AFRS advisor, students majoring in AFRS also have the opportunity to complete a second major. For example, a double major in AFRS and Urban Studies and Planning can be completed with the selection of Option III (below) plus the core course requirements in Urban Studies and Planning. Consult an advisor for other possible combinations within the major.
The Department of Africana Studies is an intellectual community and academic unit committed to producing, refining and advancing the holistic knowledge of Black people in the United States, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and Africa from a culturally relevant perspective. Our mission is to advance and broaden ideas set forth in the department's founding document in 1969 that seeks to promote the rich, dynamic and enduring nature of the African world experience through a comprehensive curriculum and innovative modes of teaching, research and learning. To this end, we are committed to providing students with a learning environment that critically examines Africana history, politics, literature, culture, arts, media and values. Our major goal relating to this mission is twofold: to investigate areas of the Black experience that have been marginalized, neglected or distorted by white supremacy and racial oppression, and, through this effort, to identify and appreciate the historic achievements, challenges and substantive contributions of peoples of African descent to world civilization and culture.
