Beginning in the fall of 2023, we will offer a nine-course major in Africana Studies. Every candidate for the major will travel through three “routes”: 1) theories, methods, and poetics courses engage theoretical and philosophical concerns within the field, the methodologies that inform our studies, and the discourses that shape how we understand Black diasporic experiences; 2) culture, performance, and popular technologies courses explore music, the visual arts, and performance, as well as the technologies that give rise to cultural expressions; and 3) Black landscapes courses examine how conceptualizations of space, geography, literature, and history inform racial subjugation, Black community-making, identity, colonialism, and embodiment. The depths of students’ journeys through our curriculum are achieved through self-initiated inquiries within or among any of the three routes.
The Africana Studies major is anchored in three courses: the introductory course, AFR 200, normally taken no later than the fall of the sophomore year; a 300-level seminar or tutorial designated as a “Core Elective,” usually taken during the junior year; and a 400-level seminar designated as a “Capstone,” normally taken during the senior year.
Additionally, Africana Studies majors are expected to take six electives that give contours to their curricular journeys. Three of the six electives must be “Core Electives” that are distributed among the three routes. No more than two of these three “Core Electives” can be at the same course level. The remaining three electives can be “Core Electives” or “Electives” in any combination. Courses designated as “Core,” as part of a “route,” or as a general “Elective” are listed in the Course Catalog.
Finally, we encourage students to consider an experiential learning winter study session in an African diasporic community.
Majors are expected to meet with the Chair and/or an Africana core faculty member to plan their major.
To declare an Africana Studies major, fill out and submit this form.
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