Major in African and African Diaspora Studies

African and African Diaspora Studies and First-Year Courses

Africology Majors

To prepare for an African and African Diaspora Studies major, you must take core courses that establish a knowledge-based foundation.

Core courses:

  • Afric 215 – Introduction to Black Social and Cultural Traditions
  • Afric 220 – Introduction to Statistics in African and African Diaspora Studies
  • Afric 228 – Introduction to Black Political Economy
  • Afric 301 – Research Methods in African and African Diaspora Studies

A total of 30 credits must be taken to complete the major. Of the remaining 18 credits (after the Core courses), at least 12 must be at or above the 300-level and one course must fulfill the research requirement (see below). No more than 6 credits of 100-level courses can count toward the major.

To satisfy the College of Letters and Science research requirement, majors must complete an African and African Diaspora Studies course that meets the research experience component of the major.

Majors work with a department advisor to plan their course of study. To graduate with the major, a minimum GPA of 2.0 in African and African Diaspora Studies courses must be maintained, including any transfer work.

A course level is defined normally by how much work is involved in the course and what is expected of students. Courses at the 100-level usually are introductory courses; 200-300 level courses are generally for sophomores and juniors; 400 through 600 level usually are junior and senior courses, with 700 and above being graduate-level courses.

100-Level Courses:

  • Afric 100 – Black Reality: Survey of African-American Society, 3 credits
  • Afric 101 – Composition and Writing in Africology, 3 credits
  • Afric 102 – Survey of African-American Literature, 3 credits
  • Afric 111 – African-American History: Pre-1865, 3 credits
  • Afric 112 – African-American History: 1865-Present, 3 credits
  • Afric 121 – Introduction to African-American Politics, 3 credits
  • Afric 125 – Economics of the Black Community, 3 credits
  • Afric 163 – African-American Concept of Self, 3 credits
  • Afric 199 – Independent Study, 1-3 credits

Also, see the Sample Four-Year Plan.

We recommend you speak with your College of Letters and Science Advisor and/or the African and African Diaspora Studies Undergraduate Advisor whenever you have concerns or questions about your education.