African American Studies Program (AFS)

College of Arts & Sciences
Special Programs in Liberal Studies

200 Foust Building
(336) 334-5507
http://www.uncg.edu/home/special.html

AFS Courses | African American Studies Minor

Committee Members

Frank Woods, Director, African American Studies Program
Willie L. Baber, Department of Anthropology
Michael Cauthen, Lecturer, African American Studies Program
Mary V. Compton, Department of Communication
George Dimock, Department of Art
Mary P. Erdmans, Department of Sociology
SallyAnn H. Ferguson, Department of English
Colleen Kriger, Department of History
Deborah Pelli, Department of Biology
Lenora Richardson, School of Nursing
Yumna Siddiqi, Department of English
Lisa Tolbert, Department of History
Pamela A. Wilson, Office of Multicultural Affairs

Mission Statement

The African American Studies Program is committed to sustaining an academic environment in which African American students and students of every race or ethnicity are motivated to develop to their full potential. Through interdisciplinary courses, the students can achieve an informed appreciation of the history and socioculture of persons of African descent, as well as the history and socioculture of others. Set in an urban institutional environment, the Program offers students an array of scholastic and experiential opportunities. The Program contributes to the social, aesthetic, and ethical development of its students and supports them as they pursue their academic goals. African American Studies nurtures intellectual curiosity, tolerance, and commitment to the ideals of social justice and equality, attributes prized by the University community and society at large.

The program has several objectives:

1. To promote the teaching and learning about the history and experience of blacks in American society as an integral part of the University experience.
2. To add a vital humanistic dimension to the liberal arts undergraduate experience of students in the university by enabling all students, black and white, to learn how blacks have exerted an indelible impact on American society and to assist black students in learning more about their history and background.
3. To provide a global perspective to the University community by presenting students with various opportunities to engage in courses which promote learning about the culture of Africa, individuals in Africa and African diaspora countries.
4. To provide a learning environment for students through courses and activities that develop research, writing, critical thinking and effective communication.
5. To establish and maintain the interdisciplinary nature of the program by offering courses from other departments which reflect and support the major objectives of the program.

Students who wish to propose a Special Program in Liberal Studies minor in African American Studies should contact the Director of African American Studies. The Director or members of the Committee will advise the student in the selection of courses to constitute the minor.

The undergraduate courses listed below focus almost entirely on issues, areas of knowledge, and concerns related to the black experience.