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African American Studies Major (AFST)

Degree: Bachelor of Arts

Required: 122 semester hours, to include at least 36 hours at or above the 300 course level

AOS Code: U803

The African American Studies major gives students an integrated and critical understanding of the experiences and contributions of peoples of African descent in the Americas. African American Studies also provides students with the opportunity to examine experiences of African Americans using theories and methods from a wide range of disciplines.

African American Studies students will be able to apply these theories and methods to better understand the social, political, and economic problems facing African Americans. They will also gain an enhanced recognition of the enduring strengths and heroic accomplishments that underlie the black presence in the New World. In addition, students graduating with the major will be well prepared for leadership in the African American community, in particular, and American society in general. The African American Studies Program is committed to offering an academically challenging curriculum coupled with a solid foundation of liberal arts education.

Requirements

I General Education Core Requirements (GEC)

See complete GEC requirements and approved course listings for all categories.

Core Category

S.H.

Students may select courses for:

 

Literature (GLT)

3

Fine Arts (GFA)

3

Philosophical, Religious, Ethical Principles (GPR)

3

Mathematics (GMT)

3

Natural Sciences (GNS)
one must be a laboratory course; each must have a
different departmental prefix

6–7

Reasoning and Discourse (GRD)
ENG 101 or FMS 115 or RCO 101, and one additional GRD course

6

 

 

Department specifies courses for:

 

One additional GLT course (student may select)

3

Historical Perspectives on Western Culture (GHP)
required: AFS 201

3

Social and Behavioral Sciences (GSB)
required: AFS 210 and one other GSB course

6

 

II General Education Marker Requirements

See details and courses. It is possible to meet all GE Marker Requirements while completing the GE Core requirements or courses required by the major/ concentration.

Students may select courses for:

Global/Global Non-Western Perspectives (GL/GN)
four (4) courses carrying GL/GN markers, at least one of which must carry the GN marker

One Speaking Intensive (SI) Course
In addition to this SI Marker requirement, students must also complete a second SI course within the major. All programs have identified at least one course among their major requirements that is taught as Speaking Intensive.

One Writing Intensive (WI) Course
In addition to this WI Marker requirement, students must also complete a second WI course within the major. All programs have identified at least one course among their major requirements that is taught as Writing Intensive.

 

III College of Arts and Sciences Additional Requirements (CAR)

See requirements and approved courses.

Category

S.H.

Historical Perspectives on Western Culture
one GHP/GPM course

3

Natural Sciences
one additional GNS/GLS or GPS course

3–4

Social and Behavioral Sciences (GSB)
one additional GSB course

3

Foreign Language (GFL)
intermediate-level proficiency in one language, demonstrated by placement test, or completion of course work through course number 204

0–12

Writing Intensive Courses (WI)
a total of four WI courses

  

 

IV Major and Related Area Requirements

Minimum 30 semester hours to include the following:

Core Courses (15 semester hours)

  1. AFS 201*, 210*, 410
  2. ENG 374 or 376
  3. HIS 301 or 302 or 389

Additional AFS and Related Area Courses (15 semester hours)

Students should select an additional 15 hours from the following courses:

AFS 200, 305, 310, 320, 400; ART 102; DCE 232, 332; ATY 325; ENG 204, 315; HIS 203, 204, 306, 399, 502, 524, 581; MUS 214; PHI 121; PSC 391; REL 229; SOC 222, 227, 425; WGS 333

*AFS 201 satisfies GHP and CAR GMO; AFS 210 satisfies one GSB requirement

V Electives

Electives sufficient to complete the 122 semester hours required for degree.