Undergraduate Major

African American and African Studies Major

The African American and African Studies (AAAS) major teaches students about the social, cultural, political, economic, historical and intellectual experiences of Africans and their descendants throughout the world.

AAAS encourages students to critically examine the role of race in society through a variety of disciplines within the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Our curriculum promotes an intersectional perspective, emphasizing how race relates to class, gender and sexuality, nationality, ethnicity and other social structures on a global scale.

This major prepares students for multiple career paths, whether in higher education, law, public health, urban planning, social work, the corporate sector or any number of fields that draw on and stand to benefit from the knowledge acquired in AAAS.

Core Courses (four required courses, 12 credit hours)

  • AFAMAST 2201: Major Readings in African American and African Studies
  • AFAMAST 3310: Global Perspectives on the African Diaspora
  • AFAMAST 3440: Theorizing Race and Ethnicity
  • AFAMAST 4921: Intersections

Elective Courses (six elective courses, 18 credit hours)

  • Of the 18 credit hours, 9 (or three courses)must be at the 4000-level
  • The remaining 9 credit hours must be 2000-level or above

For more information or to schedule an appointment please contact Dr. Jerrell Beckham, our AAAS Major and Minor advisor.