Minor in African American Studies

About the Minor in African American Studies

A minor in African American Studies provides students with a focused understanding of the vital role of African American culture and contributions in American life. The minor consists of a core introductory course, an African American history course, and three elective courses, forming a total of 15 credit hours. The approach is interdisciplinary, combining the social and behavioral sciences, the humanities, business, and education. In addition to broadening students’ awareness, this minor is expected to enhance students’ employability in an increasingly diverse society.

African American Studies, as defined by one of its leading scholars, is “the systematic study of the black experience, framed by the socioeconomic, cultural, and geographical boundaries of sub-Saharan Africa and the black diaspora.”

Notes

• A grade of C– or higher is required in each of the courses that count toward the minor. A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 is required for the minor.
• These courses are not offered every academic year. Students minoring in African American Studies should make every effort to take them as soon as they appear on a course schedule. Other courses in African American Studies are added as soon as possible
• With an African American emphasis means that the African American Studies Committee has reviewed the syllabus of the instructor and determined that it fits into the minor. It also means that the student is expected to complete one major assignment or research paper on an African American topic when taking the course. Electives eligible for the minor are listed in the published course schedules under the heading African American Studies (AFAM).

Requirements (15 cr.)

All courses are 3 credit hours, unless otherwise designated.

Core Courses (6 cr.)

• AFAM-A 150 Survey of the Culture of Black Americans

Select one of the following:

• HIST-A 355 African American History I
• HIST-A 356 African American History II

Electives (9 cr.)

• Three courses with an African American emphasis (see note), at least one of which must be at the 300-level or above.

• ANTH-A 385 Topics in Anthropology
  VT: African American Health
• ANTH-E 310 Introduction to the Cultures of Africa
• CMLT-C 253 Third World and Black American Films
• EDUC-H 340 Education and American Culture
• ENG-L 207 Women and Literature
  VT: Protest Writing
• ENG-L 370 Recent Black American Writing
• ENG-L 379 American Ethnic and Minority Literature
• HIST-A 100 Issues in United States History
  VT: African American Culture
• HIST-A 355 African American History I (if not used as a core course)
• HIST-A 356 African American History II (if not used as a core course)
• HIST-H 225 Special Topics in History
  VT: Freedom Summer Study Tour of the Civil Rights Movement in the South
• HIST-H 425 Topics in History
  VT: Freedom Summer Study Tour of the Civil Rights Movement in the South
• MUS-M 375 Survey of Ethnic and Pop Music of the World
• POLS-Y 329 Racial and Ethnic Politics in the United States
• PSY-P 391 Psychology of Gender and Ethnicity
• SOC-S 317 Social Stratification
• SOC-S 335 Race and Ethnic Relations
• SOC-S 410 Advanced Topics in Social Organization
  VT: Race and Civil Rights