Graduate Courses

Fall 2025 Course descriptions are linked here. 

Graduate Course List

Courses numbered 300-699 are Undergraduate/Graduate, while those numbered 700 and above are Graduate only. Additional courses that do not appear below are under development and will be made available soon.

AFRIC 300 Urban Violence
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Analysis of the nature, causes, and consequences of urban violence; the possibilities and limits of violence in promoting the good of blacks will be scrutinized.
Prerequisites: jr st.
Last Taught: Fall 2024, Fall 2023.

AFRIC 300G Urban Violence
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Analysis of the nature, causes, and consequences of urban violence; the possibilities and limits of violence in promoting the good of blacks will be scrutinized.
Prerequisites: jr st.
Last Taught: Fall 2024, Fall 2023.

AFRIC 311 African Religious Thought and Social Organizations
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
A critical analysis of foundations from which complex social structures and institutions evolved in the diverse societies of the Afroworld.
Prerequisites: jr st.
Last Taught: Fall 2024, Fall 2023.

AFRIC 311G African Religious Thought and Social Organizations
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
A critical analysis of foundations from which complex social structures and institutions evolved in the diverse societies of the Afroworld.
Prerequisites: jr st.
Last Taught: Fall 2024, Fall 2023.

AFRIC 319 African American Urban History
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Examination of the social and cultural transformation of Black urban communities, including social relations, political expression, economic organization, and cultural production, through the effects of government policies, economic trends, and institutional racism.
Prerequisites: junior standing.
Last Taught: Fall 2024.

AFRIC 319G African American Urban History
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Examination of the social and cultural transformation of Black urban communities, including social relations, political expression, economic organization, and cultural production, through the effects of government policies, economic trends, and institutional racism.
Prerequisites: junior standing.
Last Taught: Fall 2024.

AFRIC 321 Black Workers in the 21st Century
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Analysis of scientific and technological changes in America since 1900, and their qualitative as well as quantitative impact on black productivity and participation in the work force.
Prerequisites: jr st.
Last Taught: Spring 2025, Spring 2024.

AFRIC 321G Black Workers in the 21st Century
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Analysis of scientific and technological changes in America since 1900, and their qualitative as well as quantitative impact on black productivity and participation in the work force.
Prerequisites: jr st.
Last Taught: Spring 2025, Spring 2024.

AFRIC 322 Order and Disorder: The Quest for Social Justice
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
An analysis of the forms, purposes, and effects of order and disorder in relation to black people's quest for social justice.
Prerequisites: jr st.
Last Taught: Fall 2024.

AFRIC 322G Order and Disorder: The Quest for Social Justice
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
An analysis of the forms, purposes, and effects of order and disorder in relation to black people's quest for social justice.
Prerequisites: jr st.
Last Taught: Fall 2024.

AFRIC 325 Africa/China Relations
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Historical and emerging political and economic relationship between the African continent and China.
Prerequisites: junior standing.
Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2023.

AFRIC 325G Africa/China Relations
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Historical and emerging political and economic relationship between the African continent and China.
Prerequisites: junior standing.
Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2023.

AFRIC 326 Economic Problems of Black Business
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Examination of major economic problems of black business; liquidity, credit, market shares, insurance, rents, mortgages, and location are analyzed in relation to black business performance.
Prerequisites: jr st.
Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2023.

AFRIC 326G Economic Problems of Black Business
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Examination of major economic problems of black business; liquidity, credit, market shares, insurance, rents, mortgages, and location are analyzed in relation to black business performance.
Prerequisites: jr st.
Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2023.

AFRIC 329 Economic Growth and Sustainable Development in Africa
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Economic development in African countries; poverty reduction strategies, role of education and health, Millennium Development Goals, agrarian systems, international trade; U.S. as key trading partner.
Prerequisites: jr st.
Last Taught: Spring 2024, Fall 2023.

AFRIC 329G Economic Growth and Sustainable Development in Africa
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Economic development in African countries; poverty reduction strategies, role of education and health, Millennium Development Goals, agrarian systems, international trade; U.S. as key trading partner.
Prerequisites: jr st.
Last Taught: Spring 2024, Fall 2023.

AFRIC 344 Global Black Social Movements
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Analysis of leadership, ideology, and the structure of black political movements and organizations in the twentieth century.
Prerequisites: jr st.
Last Taught: Fall 2021.

AFRIC 344G Global Black Social Movements
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Analysis of leadership, ideology, and the structure of black political movements and organizations in the twentieth century.
Prerequisites: jr st.
Last Taught: Fall 2021.

AFRIC 350 The Black Family
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
An examination of the structure and functions of the black family in its urban and rural contexts.
Prerequisites: jr st.
Last Taught: Fall 2014, Summer 2011.

AFRIC 350G The Black Family
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
An examination of the structure and functions of the black family in its urban and rural contexts.
Prerequisites: jr st.
Last Taught: Fall 2014, Summer 2011.

AFRIC 415 Race in Sports
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Exploration of the terrain of American sports in the twentieth century to understand the profound impact athletic competition has had on the development of American race relations and racial inequality.
Prerequisites: junior standing or greater.
Course Rules: Counts as a repeat of AFRIC 565 with similar topic.

AFRIC 415G Race in Sports
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Exploration of the terrain of American sports in the twentieth century to understand the profound impact athletic competition has had on the development of American race relations and racial inequality.
Prerequisites: junior standing or greater.
Course Rules: Counts as a repeat of AFRIC 565 with similar topic.

AFRIC 450 Cultural Transmissions: Black Africa and Black America
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
A cross-national and cross-cultural comparison of the societies and cultures of black Americans and black Africans.
Prerequisites: jr st.
Last Taught: Spring 2011, Spring 2010.

AFRIC 450G Cultural Transmissions: Black Africa and Black America
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
A cross-national and cross-cultural comparison of the societies and cultures of black Americans and black Africans.
Prerequisites: jr st.
Last Taught: Spring 2011, Spring 2010.

AFRIC 451 Rites of Passage in Black Societies
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Foundations of the use of rites of passage in different societies throughout Africa and the African diaspora.
Prerequisites: jr st.
Last Taught: Fall 2013, Spring 2013.

AFRIC 451G Rites of Passage in Black Societies
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Foundations of the use of rites of passage in different societies throughout Africa and the African diaspora.
Prerequisites: jr st.
Last Taught: Fall 2013, Spring 2013.

AFRIC 497 Study Abroad:
1-12 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Designed to enroll students in UWM sponsored program before course work level, content, and credits are determined and/or in specially prepared program course work.
Prerequisites: jr st; acceptance for Study Abroad Prog.
Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic.
Last Taught: UWinteriM 2019, Summer 2017.

AFRIC 497G Study Abroad:
1-12 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Designed to enroll students in UWM sponsored program before course work level, content, and credits are determined and/or in specially prepared program course work.
Prerequisites: jr st; acceptance for Study Abroad Prog.
Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic.
Last Taught: UWinteriM 2019, Summer 2017.

AFRIC 545 Raising Children, 'Race-ing' Children
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Analysis of the social meaning of race in the US through the lens of childhood and adolescence; how children come to understand and navigate racism.
Prerequisites: jr st or grad st.
Course Rules: Counts as a repeat of AFRIC 565 w/ similar topic.
Last Taught: Spring 2025.

AFRIC 545G Raising Children, 'Race-ing' Children
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Analysis of the social meaning of race in the US through the lens of childhood and adolescence; how children come to understand and navigate racism.
Prerequisites: jr st or grad st.
Course Rules: Counts as a repeat of AFRIC 565 w/ similar topic.
Last Taught: Spring 2025.

AFRIC 565 Topics in African & African Diaspora Studies:
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Examination of selected problems, issues, and themes in African & African Diaspora Studies.
Prerequisites: junior standing or greater.
Course Rules: Repeatable to 6 cr max.
Last Taught: Spring 2024, Spring 2022.

AFRIC 565G Topics in African & African Diaspora Studies:
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Examination of selected problems, issues, and themes in African & African Diaspora Studies.
Prerequisites: junior standing or greater.
Course Rules: Repeatable to 6 cr max.
Last Taught: Spring 2024, Spring 2022.

AFRIC 700 Foundations and Theories in African & African Diaspora Studies
3 cr. Graduate.
Seminar on historical, theoretical and institutional development of African & African Diaspora Studies. Topics examined will include Pan-Africanism, Black Feminism, Afrocentrism, Diaspora Theory, Critical Race Theory, and others.
Prerequisites: Prerequisite: graduate standing.
Last Taught: Fall 2021, Fall 2020, Fall 2018, Fall 2017.

AFRIC 701 Theories and Methods in Empirical Research in African & African Diaspora Studies
3 cr. Graduate.
Applicability of particular empirical theories and qualitative/quantitative methods to a range of substantive problems and issues pertaining to peoples of African descent.
Prerequisites: Prerequisite: graduate standing; appropriate upper-level math or statistics course.
Last Taught: Spring 2022, Spring 2021, Spring 2019, Spring 2018.

AFRIC 705 Classic Works: Intellectual Production in Africa and the Diaspora I
3 cr. Graduate.
Conceptual and value foundations of normative theory in relation to forms of social organization.
Prerequisites: grad st
Last Taught: Spring 2022, Spring 2021, Spring 2019, Spring 2018.

AFRIC 706 Classic Works: Intellectual Production in Africa and the Diaspora II
3 cr. Graduate.
Advanced study of elements of normative theory such as justice, equality, freedom, and obligation in societal construction and reconstruction in Africa and the Diaspora.
Prerequisites: Prerequisite: graduate standing; AFRIC 705(P).
Last Taught: Spring 2012, Spring 2011.

AFRIC 708 Black Literary Theory and Cultural Studies
3 cr. Graduate.
Black Studies explores African diasporic identities through the analysis of cultural productions. Central concerns include social constructions of race relating to traditions, folkways, fiction, poetry, visual arts, film, bodily performance, social media, music and more.
Prerequisites: graduate standing.
Last Taught: Fall 2021, Fall 2020, Fall 2018, Fall 2017.

AFRIC 709 Critical Literary Theory II: Modern Concepts in the African World
3 cr. Graduate.
Intensive examination of cardinal elements in critical literary theory in the context of ideas and behaviors that have shaped the lives of Africans and their descent historically.
Prerequisites: Prerequisite: graduate standing; AFRIC 708(P).
Last Taught: Spring 2012.

AFRIC 799 Graduate Independent Study
1-3 cr. Graduate.
Independent work supervised by a member of the graduate faculty.
Prerequisites: grad st; cons instr.
Course Rules: Retakable with change in topic to 9 cr max.
Last Taught: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023.

AFRIC 800 Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods in African & African Diaspora Studies
3 cr. Graduate.
Various qualitative methods and methodological issues germane to African & African Diaspora Studies, including archival research, interviewing, focus groups, participant observation, and analysis of representations.
Prerequisites: Prerequisite: graduate standing.
Last Taught: Spring 2023, Fall 2019, Fall 2016, Spring 2014.

AFRIC 804 Qualitative Interviewing and Grounded Theory
3 cr. Graduate.
In-depth, hands-on examination of qualitative interviewing in research. Students design, conduct, and analyze qualitative interviews using grounded theory. Seminar-style course.
Prerequisites: No credit for students who have credit in AFRIC 880 w/ same topic. Prerequisite: graduate standing; prior coursework in qualitative methods or consent of instructor.
Last Taught: Fall 2014.

AFRIC 812 Political Economy: Conceptual
3 cr. Graduate.
Advanced analysis of varieties of conceptual frameworks in the literature of political economy.
Prerequisites: grad st
Last Taught: Spring 2014, Spring 2011.

AFRIC 814 Public Policies, Development, and Underdevelopment in Africa & the Diaspora
3 cr. Graduate.
Investigation into public policy and development in Africa and the Diaspora.
Prerequisites: grad st
Last Taught: Fall 2014.

AFRIC 816 Political Economy of Development in African Countries
3 cr. Graduate.
The importance of political institutions in shaping economic performance to advance understanding of economic development in the context of sub-Saharan African countries.
Prerequisites: grad st.
Last Taught: Fall 2011.

AFRIC 817 Political Economy of Development in African Countries II
3 cr. Graduate.
Growth-enhancing governance, economic performance, and economic development in sub-Saharan African Countries.
Prerequisites: grad st; Africol 816(P) or cons instr.
Course Rules: Counts as repeat of Africol 880 w/same topic.
Last Taught: Spring 2013.

AFRIC 818 Race Matters: Government and Politics in Latin America and the Caribbean
3 cr. Graduate.
Presence, role, status, situation, and conditions of Afro-Americans (Afro-Latins and Afro-Caribbeans) in the Americas, from the federal republic of Mexico to the Argentine republic.
Prerequisites: grad st
Last Taught: Fall 2019, Fall 2015, Spring 2014, Spring 2013.

AFRIC 820 Political Economy of Income and Wealth Inequality
3 cr. Graduate.
Seminar on economic inequality, with special emphasis on the United States.No credit for students who have credit in AFRIC 880 w/ same topic. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
Prerequisites: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

AFRIC 821 Race and Inequality
3 cr. Graduate.
Discrimination and racial inequality along socio-economic dimensions.
Prerequisites: grad st
Last Taught: Fall 2023, Fall 2020, Fall 2018.

AFRIC 834 Seminar on Slavery
3 cr. Graduate.
Culture and political economy of slavery; historical context for American slavery; slavery as political and economic issue; social-psychology of slavery; persistence of slavery's legacies.
Prerequisites: grad st.
Last Taught: Spring 2012.

AFRIC 836 Comparative Social Institutions in African World Communities
3 cr. Graduate.
Origins, nature, and functioning of social institutions in African world communities; continuity and change; development of community and cultural identities of Africans and their descendents; theoretical/analytical approaches.
Prerequisites: grad st
Last Taught: Fall 2013.

AFRIC 837 Memory and Tradition: Identity-Making and Memory in the African Diaspora
3 cr. Graduate.
Role of memory and tradition in forming collective and individual identities in the African Diaspora; symbolic value and functional aspects; focus on sub-Saharan Africa.
Prerequisites: grad st
Last Taught: Fall 2022, Spring 2021, Spring 2019, Spring 2017.

AFRIC 840 Healing Traditions in the African Diaspora
3 cr. Graduate.
Advanced study of healing traditions, practices, and rituals throughout the African Diaspora.
Prerequisites: grad st.

AFRIC 845 Race/Ethnicity and the Psychology of Oppression
3 cr. Graduate.
Psychological processes involved in creating and sustaining oppressive societies; emphasis on the role of racism societally and the impact of oppression on individuals and groups.
Prerequisites: grad st
Last Taught: Spring 2022, Fall 2015, Spring 2012.

AFRIC 851 African-American Literary Theory and Criticism
3 cr. Graduate.
An intensive study of historical and contemporary trends in African-American literary criticism and theory.
Prerequisites: grad st
Last Taught: Fall 2013.

AFRIC 852 Folklore in the African World:
3 cr. Graduate.
A close scrutiny of a particular forms of folk literature of people of African descent.
Prerequisites: grad st.
Course Rules: Retakable with change in topic to 6 cr max.
Last Taught: Fall 2012, Fall 2011.

AFRIC 862 Development of African-American Children in Urban and Rural Areas
3 cr. Graduate.
Developmental processes facing African-American children, including identity development and racial socialization, impact of environment, notion of 'a single African-American identity;' theories and methodological approaches.
Prerequisites: grad st.

AFRIC 865 The Quest for Pan-Africanism
3 cr. Graduate.
History and future motion of movement to create a united Africa; political, economic, and social barriers to unification; united Africa in the global community.
Prerequisites: grad st.

AFRIC 866 Black Power Reconsidered
3 cr. Graduate.
The salience of black power in the context of campaigns for educational equality, urban politics, economic justice, residential segregation, urban renewal, anti-colonial struggle, and cultural politics.
Prerequisites: grad st.
Course Rules: No cr for students with credit in Africol 880 w/ similar title.

AFRIC 867 Problems in African American Urban History
3 cr. Graduate.
Ways scholars have conceptualized and interpreted 20th century African American urban life; assumptions and logic that undergird various approaches; potential intellectual and political implications.
Prerequisites: grad st.
Course Rules: No cr for students w/cr in Africol 880 with similar title.

AFRIC 868 Black Intellectuals and the Public Sphere
3 cr. Graduate.
How black intellectuals have defined knowledge and positioned themselves politically and professionally; the various spheres in which they operate.
Prerequisites: grad st.
Last Taught: Spring 2015.

AFRIC 880 Seminar on Issues in African & African Diaspora Studies:
3 cr. Graduate.
Research seminar on issues of interest in African & African Diaspora Studies.
Prerequisites: Prerequisite: graduate standing.
Last Taught: Fall 2023, Spring 2023, Spring 2020, Spring 2016.

AFRIC 888 Candidate for Degree
0 cr. Graduate.
Available for graduate students who must meet minimum credit load requirement.
Prerequisites: graduate standing.
Course Rules: Fee for 1 cr assessed; unit does not count towards credit load for Fin Aid. Repeatable. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.

AFRIC 990 Dissertation Research
1-3 cr. Graduate.
Research or dissertation work for students in the doctoral program.
Prerequisites: grad st; cons instr.
Course Rules: Retakable as necessary to complete the dissertation.
Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023.