UNC Greensboro | Degrees & Programs | Bachelor's in African American and African Diaspora Studies - Black Popular Culture

Bachelor's in African American and African Diaspora Studies - Black Popular Culture

A student studying African American and African Diaspora culture holds a piece of woven fabric with a pattern of red, green, black, and white triangles

The Black Popular Culture concentration within UNC Greensboro’s Bachelor’s in African American and African Diaspora Studies (AADS) program is for students interested in African American performance, art, film, and music. This concentration deepens students’ understanding of the intersections between African American and African Diaspora cultures, history, politics, gender, and artistic expression.

  • Turn Your Passion for Culture into Academic Inquiry. Study the music, media, fashion, sports, and creative expressions that influence popular culture worldwide.
  • Examine Culture Through Multiple Perspectives. Explore how race, gender, sexuality, class, and identity intersect in cultural production and consumption.
  • Analyze Real-World Cultural Trends. Investigate the influence of Black creators, communities, and movements on entertainment, media, and public discourse.
  • Join a Vibrant Academic Community. Participate in lectures, events, and the annual Conference on African-American and African Diasporic Cultures and Experience (CACE), which brings scholars and students together to examine issues affecting Black communities.
  • Study the Culture that Shapes the World. Explore Black contributions to music, film, television, sports, fashion, literature, and digital media through courses across multiple disciplines.
  • Work One-on-One with Faculty. Small class sizes and independent study opportunities help you pursue your interests and develop original research.
  • Present Your Scholarship. Share your work at national conferences and UNCG’s Conference on African-American and African Diasporic Cultures and Experience (CACE).
  • Gain Real-World Experience. Apply your knowledge through internships connected to arts, media, education, nonprofits, and cultural organizations.
  • Build Connections Beyond the Classroom. Join the African American and African Diaspora Studies Student Club and participate in campus events and leadership opportunities.
  • Explore Black Culture in a Global Context. Study abroad and examine the worldwide influence of Black creativity, culture, and social movements.

In addition to the variety of core courses required for the AADS major, students can further hone their focus within the Black Popular Culture concentration. Special topic courses include:

  • ADS 200: African American Art History
  • ADS 310: The Portrayal of African Americans in Film
  • ADS 330: Black Music as Cultural History: 1960-1980
  • ADS 351: Race and Gender in Black Performance

Find a full listing of available AADS courses here.

After Graduating with your BA in African American and African Diaspora Studies

The Black Popular Culture concentration within UNC Greensboro’s Bachelor of Arts in African American and African Diaspora degree develops skills in cultural analysis, communication, research, and critical thinking. Graduates pursue careers in communications, marketing, public relations, education, nonprofit leadership, arts administration, and community engagement. Others pursue advanced degrees in African American studies, cultural studies, media studies, law, education, public policy, and related fields.

Many graduates continue their studies at institutions including Duke University, Vanderbilt University, Rutgers University, and the University of California, Berkeley.

The AADS program offers resources to support career planning, graduate school preparation, and professional development. Review the list here.

faqs about aads

African American and African Diaspora Studies is an interdisciplinary field that explores the experiences, history, and culture of people of African descent. The seven core fields typically include:  

  • Arts and Culture: A focus on visual arts, music, performance, and other cultural expressions within the African American and African Diaspora experience.  
  • Economics: The study of economic disparities, labor history, and economic development in Black communities.  
  • History: The study of African American and African Diaspora histories, including slavery, civil rights, and contemporary social, cultural, and political issues.  
  • Literature: Analysis of African American literary works, authors, and literary traditions.  
  • Philosophy and Religion: Exploring African and African American religious practices, ethical traditions, and philosophies, and how they shape Black culture and society. 
  • Political science: The exploration of African American political thought, activism, and policies affecting Black communities.  
  • Sociology: The examination of social structures, inequality, race relations, and African American communities.  

A degree in African American and African Diaspora Studies opens the door to a range of versatile career options. AADS graduates often pursue careers in education, public policy, social work, law, journalism, arts and culture, non-profit leadership, and community advocacy. The skills you’ll develop with AADS — including critical thinking, research, communication, and cultural competency — are in high demand in a wide range of fields. Many AADS students also go on to graduate or professional schools.

While general history and sociology cover broad topics, African American and African Diaspora Studies centers Black experiences, perspectives, and contributions. It incorporates interdisciplinary approaches that are often excluded or minimized in traditional academic narratives, offering a more complete understanding of American and global history through the lens of African-descended peoples. 

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Program Details

Degree Type: Bachelor's

College/School: College of Arts and Sciences

Program Type: Majors & Concentrations

Class Type: In Person

Catalog Name: African American and African Diaspora Studies, B.A. Black Popular Culture Concentration

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Dr. Noelle Morrissette
Director
African American and African Diaspora Studies
aads@uncg.edu

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