Undergraduate Courses

Please note that the Department of Africology has undergone a name change and is now the Department of African and African Diaspora Studies.

Undergraduate Course List

Please refer to the UWM Schedule of Classes for currently offered courses.

AFRIC 100 - Black Reality: Survey of African-American Society (3 units; U): An introduction to key concepts, structures, and institutions in African-American societies. Prereq: none.
AFRIC 102 - Survey of African-American Literature (3 units; U): A survey of a variety of African-American literature. Prereq: none.
AFRIC 111 - Introduction to African-American History to 1865 (3 units; U): African and African-American history to the Reconstruction period. Prereq: none.
AFRIC 112 - Introduction to African-American History, 1865 to the Present (3 units; U): African-American history from the Reconstruction era to the present. Prereq: none.
AFRIC 125 - Economics of the Black Community (3 units; U): A survey of key economic principles, and elements that structure economic behavior in the black community. Prereq: none.
AFRIC 163 - African-American Concept of Self (3 units; U): Survey of the cultural, social and psychological origins of the contemporary view African Americans have of themselves. Prereq: none.
AFRIC 192 - First-Year Seminar: (3 units; U): Specific topics are announced in the Schedule of Classes each time the class is offered. Open only to freshmen. Students may earn cr in just one L&S First-Year Sem (course numbers 192, 193, 194). Prereq: none.
AFRIC 193 - First-Year Seminar: (3 units; U): Specific topics are announced in the Schedule of Classes each time the class is offered. Open only to freshmen. Students may earn cr in just one L&S First-Year Sem (course numbers 192, 193, 194). Prereq: none.
AFRIC 199 - Independent Study (1-3 units; U): For further information, consult the department chair. May be retaken to 6 cr max. Prereq: 2.5 GPA; writ cons instr, dept chair & asst dean for SAS.
AFRIC 205 - The Poetry of African, African-American, and Caribbean Writers (3 units; U): A survey of ideas, themes, values, beliefs, and attitudes in the poetry of African, African-American and Caribbean writers. Prereq: soph st.
AFRIC 210 - The African-American Novel (3 units; U): A study of the social and cultural significance of the African-American novel, with emphasis on genre, imagery, and dramatic irony. Prereq: soph st.
AFRIC 215 - Introduction to Black Social and Cultural Traditions (3 units; U): A consideration of the social and cultural traditions that ground the life experiences and prospects of black people. Prereq: none.
AFRIC 220 - Introduction to Statistics in African and African Diaspora Studies (3 units; U): The use of statistical methods and techniques in techniques in African and African Diaspora Studies. Data from the Afroworld (North and South America, Africa, and the Caribbean) will be analyzed. Prerequisite: satisfaction of GER Quantitative Literacy Part A.
AFRIC 228 - Introduction to Black Political Economy (3 units; U): A survey of the interplay of the basic political and economic categories that structure the form and content of black life in America. Prereq: soph st.
AFRIC 232 - Survey of African Societies and Cultures (3 units; U): A survey of continuities and changes in the social and cultural lives of the peoples of Black Africa. Prereq: soph st.
AFRIC 235 - African Americans and South Africa (3 units; U): The study of ideological, economic, religious, cultural, educational and political ties between African Americans and black South Africans from the 19th century to the present. Prereq: soph st or cons instr.
AFRIC 250 - Black Women and White Women in the Contemporary United States (3 units; U): The effect of economics, education, social structures and history on the role of black women in US society. Prereq: soph st.
AFRIC 261 - Survey of African-American Political Philosophy (3 units; U): A survey of key ideas, concepts, arguments, problems, and issues in African-American political philosophy. Prereq: soph st.
AFRIC 265 - Psychological Effects of Racism (3 units; U): Psychological and socio-psychological effects of individualized and institutionalized racism on blacks and whites. Emphasis is placed on a range of interactions between blacks and whites. Prereq: soph st.
AFRIC 289 - Internship in African & African Diaspora Studies, Lower Division (1-6 units; U): Application of basic principles of African & African Diaspora Studies in business, organizational, educational, political, or other appropriate setting. One credit earned for academic work based on 40 hours in internship. May be retaken to 6 credits max. Prerequisite: 100- or 200-level AFRIC course; 2.25 GPA; consent of supervising faculty member.
AFRIC 297 - Study Abroad: (1-12 units; U): 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. May be retaken w/chg in topic. Prereq: acceptance for Study Abroad Prog.
AFRIC 299 - Ad Hoc: (1-6 units; U): Course created expressly for offering in a specified enrollment period. Requires only dept & assoc dean approval. In exceptional circumstances, can be offered in one add'l sem. May be retaken w/chg in topic. Prereq: none; add'l prereqs may be assigned to specific topic.
AFRIC 300 - Urban Violence (3 units; U/G): 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. Prereq: jr st.
AFRIC 301 - Research Methods in African & African Diaspora Studies (3 units; U): A survey of research methods and techniques, and the uses of the computer in data gathering and analysis in African & African Diaspora Studies. Prerequisite: junior standing; elementary statistics course; or consent of instructor.
AFRIC 311 - African Religious Thought and Social Organizations (3 units; U/G): A critical analysis of foundations from which complex social structures and institutions evolved in the diverse societies of the Afroworld. Prereq: jr st.
AFRIC 312 - The Church in African-American Life (3 units; U): A study of the socio-cultural significance of the church in the evolution of the black community. Prereq: jr st.
AFRIC 314 - The School in African-American Life (3 units; U): A study of the socio-cultural significance of the school in the evolution of the black community. Jointly offered with & counts as a repeat of ED POL 314(353). Prerequisite: junior standing.
AFRIC 319 - African American Urban History (3 units; U/G): A consideration of the contributions of blacks to the growth and development of the American city. Prereq: jr st.
AFRIC 320 - Black Cultures in Latin America and the Caribbean (3 units; U): African influence on Latin America and the Caribbean, and the cultures of black peoples in several areas, particularly Brazil, Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad, and Barbados. Prereq: jr st.
AFRIC 321 - Black Workers in the 21st Century (3 units; U/G): 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. Prereq: jr st.
AFRIC 322 - Order and Disorder: The Quest for Social Justice (3 units; U/G): An analysis of the forms, purposes, and effects of order and disorder in relation to black people's quest for social justice. Prereq: jr st.
AFRIC 323 - Capitalism, Socialism, Nationalism and Fascism (3 units; U): An analysis of the political philosophies of capitalism, socialism, nationalism and fascism in relation to their significance for the organization of political societies in the Afroworld. Prereq: jr st.
AFRIC 325 - Africa/China Relations (3 units; U/G): Historical and emerging political and economic relationship between the African continent and China. Counts as a repeat of AFRIC 565 with similar title. Prerequisite: junior standing.
AFRIC 326 - Economic Problems of Black Business (3 units; U/G): 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. Prereq: jr st.
AFRIC 329 - Economic Growth and Sustainable Development in Africa (3 units; U/G): 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. Prereq: jr st.
AFRIC 334 - Survey of Black American and Black Brazilian Societies (3 units; U): Examines similarities and differences between peoples of African descent in the United States and Brazil, with reference to society, culture, and political economy. Prereq: jr st.
AFRIC 341 - Black Politics and City Government (3 units; U): An analysis of the impact of black politics on the decision-making process of, and delivery of goods and services by, state and local governments. Prereq: jr st.
AFRIC 344 - Global Black Social Movements (3 units; U/G): Analysis of leadership, ideology, and the structure of black political movements and organizations in the twentieth century. Prereq: jr st.
AFRIC 350 - The Black Family (3 units; U/G): An examination of the structure and functions of the black family in its urban and rural contexts. Prereq: jr st.
AFRIC 351 - Sexuality, Gender, and Health in Africa and the Diaspora (3 units; U): Drawing on cultural studies and social science approaches, this course asks the question of how health and illness is socially and culturally determined. Prereq: jr st.
AFRIC 352 - Extended Families in Black Societies (3 units; U): A critical cross-national/cross-cultural analysis of the structures and functions of black extended families in the Americas and Africa. Prereq: jr st.
AFRIC 362 - Philosophy and Thought in Africa and the Diaspora II (3 units; U): Philosophical foundations of the intellectual tradition and political ideas of Africa and the African diaspora after 1900. Prereq: jr st.
AFRIC 369 - Black Images and Mass Media (3 units; U): An evaluation of how the mass media have affected the psyche of Black people. Prereq: jr st.
AFRIC 370 - Forms of Black Expression (3 units; U): An analysis of elements of African traditions that have influenced the literature, music, art, dance, and folkways (in the Afro-world, particularly in the United States). Prereq: jr st.
AFRIC 372 - African-American Literary Movements: The Harlem Renaissance (3 units; U): A consideration of the historical and social forces that promoted the development of black literature during the period of the Harlem Renaissance. Prereq: jr st.
AFRIC 381 - Honors Seminar: (3 units; U): Selected topics in the political economy, cultures, and societies of the Afroworld. May be retaken with change in topic to 9 credits max. Prereq: soph st; Honors 200(P); cons Honors College dir.
AFRIC 411 - Change in African-American Communities (3 units; U): An analysis of institutional and non-institutional forces that occasion change in black communities. Prereq: jr st.
AFRIC 412 - Blacks and the United States Constitution (3 units; U): An analysis of the Constitution's impact on blacks, and the body of law that has evolved from litigation involving the interests of black people. Prereq: jr st.
AFRIC 414 - The Black Woman in America, Africa, and the Caribbean (3 units; U): A comparison of the roles and impact of the black women on American, African and Caribbean societies. Prereq: jr st.
AFRIC 416 - Race and Social Justice in the United States (3 units; U): A study of the relation between race, injustice and social change in the United States. Prereq: jr st.
AFRIC 417 - Race, Class and Gender in Southern Africa (3 units; U): Race, class and gender as sources of conflict and cooperation in southern African societies. Prereq: jr st.
AFRIC 418 - Race, Class, and Gender in Latin America and the Caribbean (3 units; U): An analysis of race, class and gender in the evolution of political, economic, and social structures in Caribbean and Latin American societies. Prereq: jr st.
AFRIC 420 - The Political Economy of Slavery (3 units; U): Analysis of the political and economic contradictions of U.S. slavery; the value of free versus slave labor is scrutinized in the context of emerging capitalism. Prereq: jr st.
AFRIC 450 - Cultural Transmissions: Black Africa and Black America (3 units; U/G): A cross-national and cross-cultural comparison of the societies and cultures of black Americans and black Africans. Prereq: jr st.
AFRIC 451 - Rites of Passage in Black Societies (3 units; U/G): Foundations of the use of rites of passage in different societies throughout Africa and the African diaspora. Prereq: jr st.
AFRIC 489 - Internship in African & African Diaspora Studies, Upper Division (1-6 units; U): Application of advanced principles of African & African Diaspora Studies in a business, organizational, educational, political, or other appropriate setting. One credit earned for academic work based on 40 hours in internship. May be retaken to 6 credits max. Prerequisite: junior standing; 300-level or above course in AFRIC; 2.25 gpa; consent of supervising faculty member.
AFRIC 497 - Study Abroad: (1-12 units; U/G): 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. May be retaken w/chg in topic. Prereq: jr st; acceptance for Study Abroad Prog.
AFRIC 499 - Ad Hoc: (1-6 units; U): Course created expressly for offering in a specified enrollment period. Requires only dept & assoc dean approval. In exceptional circumstances, can be offered in one add'l sem. May be retaken w/chg in topic. Prereq: jr st; add'l prereqs may be assigned to specific topic.
AFRIC 545 - Raising Children, 'Race-ing' Children (3 units; U/G): 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. Counts as a repeat of AFRIC 565 w/ similar topic. Prereq: jr st or grad st.
AFRIC 565 - Selected Texts/Topics in African & African Diaspora Studies: (3 units; U/G): Examination of selected problems, issues, and themes in African & African Diaspora Studies. May be retaken w/chg in topic to 6 credits max. Prerequisite: junior standing.
AFRIC 699 - Independent Study (1-6 units; U): See Advanced Independent Study. May be retaken w/chg in topic. Prereq: jr st; 2.5 GPA; writ cons instr, dept chair & asst dean for SAS.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

College of Letters & ScienceAfrican and African Diaspora Studies

African and African Diaspora Studies (Afric) Course Descriptions

Elective Courses for Letters & Science Programs

Elective Courses for UWM Programs

Courses for Major/Minor/Certificate Programs

Undergraduate Course List