African American Studies Major

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Gain in-depth understanding of Africa and the African Diaspora — U.S., the Caribbean and Latin America — and insight into contemporary global issues facing Africana people when you choose one of the concentrations in this major.

Career Potential

• Government service
• Political engagement at the national, state and local levels
• Teaching and Research
• Journalism
• Community Development
• International Affairs and Development
• Family and Discrimination Law

What Will I Learn?

You’ll engage in a rigorous intellectual, socio-political, historical and cultural curriculum that emphasizes:

• Critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills to effectively tackle contemporary societal problems to serve the Africana world in particular and humanity in general
• Multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary courses that expose you to a wide array of contrasting thought
• Debate on important contrasting controversies in the discipline

Concentration Options

African American Sociological, Political and Community Development

Get the knowledge and background you’ll need to be a community builder and activist or for graduate work.

African and African American History

Prepare for a variety of career options such as government service, nonprofit organization, journalism, international affairs and others.

Special Features

• Credit-bearing internships
• Study abroad in Africa
• Nationally and internationally recognized faculty
• Kente Cloth Ceremony at graduation

Get Involved

Independent research with a faculty mentor is a central part of your academic experience. You will have opportunities to present your research at national conferences or to co-author a scholarly paper with your professor. You also can gain first-hand knowledge of Africa through study abroad programs in Ghana and Kenya.

Next Steps