The Department of Africana Studies
“A Place Where Scholars, Thinkers and Leaders are Nurtured”

Courses Offered

The credit value for each course in semester units is indicated for each term by a number in parentheses following the title. Departments may indicate the term in which they expect to offer the course by the use of: “F” (fall), “S” (spring) or “EOY” for every other year.

Lower Division | Upper Division | Graduate

Lower Division

AFS 200 Introduction to Africana Studies (3) FS.
Prerequisite: Completion of EPT Requirement.
An introduction to the discipline of Africana Studies. An overview of the philosophical underpinnings, evolution, theories and concepts, and practical applications of the disciplines; and the African-centered, holistic method of studying the African world.

AFS 201 African World Civilizations (3) F.
A survey of African Civilizations from antiquity to the present. The survey includes a review of the African presence in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The course examines the experiences of peoples of African descent and their contributions to world civilizations.

AFS 212 Introduction to Comparative Ethnic and Global Societies (3) FS.
Explores the lived experiences of the Ethnic/Global communities in the U.S. and their places of origin. The course will examine the socio-cultural dynamics in Chicano/Latino, Asian-Pacific and Africana communities.

AFS 220 African World Peoples and Cultures (3) S.
To provide students with an overview of African world peoples, societies and cultures. Students will cover the similarities and differences among the various people of African descent and, explore both the historical and cultural foundations of African world peoples and societies. Emphasis will be on cultural continuity and reconstruction.

AFS 295 Special Topics in Africana Studies (3).
An examination of a specific topic and/or subject area of Africana Studies. Repeatable for credit. Topic will be announced in Schedule of Classes.

AFS 231 Africana Literary Traditions (3) FS.
Prerequisite: ENG 111 and/or by permission of instructor.
Introduction to Africana Literary traditions. Focuses on how Africana writers' use language and images to recreate their specific and shared histories. Selects authors who represent distinct literary traditions and discusses the major characteristics of each tradition.

AFS 241 History of African World People: 1450-1888 (3) F.
Examination of the history of African people throughout the world from 1450-1888. Identifies African migration, national culture, and political divisions. Examines the dynamics of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, and surveys the territorial dispersal of African people around the globe, their links and metamorphoses.

AFS 242 History of African World People: 1888-Present (3).
An examination of the history of African world peoples from 1888 with the end of slavery in Brazil to the present. The dynamics of apartheid and colonialism, nationalism, civil rights and liberation movements are central themes.

Upper Division

AFS 301 Africana Music Through the 19th Century (3) F EOY.
Prerequisite: AFS 200 and AFS 220
Africana music course designed to introduce the music and musicians of Africa and the African Diaspora culture, establishing the African foundation of the musical practices and exploring early developments in the Diaspora with special focus upon developments in all parts of the Americas from 1619 to 1888.

AFS 305 Theories and Approaches in Africana Studies (3) F.
Prerequisite: AFS 200 and AFS 220.
An introduction to the theories and approaches utilized by Africana Studies scholars. Focus is on the intellectual approaches to the study of African peoples from the perspective of Africana cultural imperative.

AFS 306 Research Methods in Africana Studies (3) S.
Prerequisite: AFS 200 and AFS 220.
Introduces students to intellectual debates in research methods in Africana Studies. It focuses on the applicability and relevance of different methods of acquiring, interpreting and presenting Africana knowledge systems.

AFS 330 Africana Literature and Culture (3) F.
Prerequisite: AFS 231
Survey course that introduces students to both Africana literature and culture. Provides students with an opportunity to study and appreciate major Africana political, cultural and historical issues and experiences through the lenses of Africana literature.

AFS 395 Special Topics in Africana Studies (3) FS.
Prerequisites: Completion of EPT Requirement and consent of instructor.
Intensive study of a single period, figure, movement, or idea in African world history/culture. Course repeatable for credit. Topics will be announced in Schedule of Classes.

AFS 396 Practicum in Africana Studies (3) FS.
Prerequisites: AFS 201, AFS 220 or consent of instructor.
Supervised work experience in an African or African diaspora community with emphasis upon social and economic development in a local, national and/or international setting. Supervision emphasizes training and application of practical and technical skills. Students will be placed in settings suitable to their academic specialization. CR/NC grading. Repeatable courses. One hour of tutorial per week is required with instructor.

AFS 423 Africana Leaders Seminar (3) F EOY.
Prerequisite: AFS 200 and AFS 201 are recommended.
An examination of the life and times of important Africana leaders and their legacies to the African world. Emphasis will be on the major competing trends in the interpretations of the leaders’ legacies and the interests that shape these trends. Three hours of seminar per week.

AFS 424 Africana Political Thought (3) S EOY.
Prerequisite: AFS 233. AFS 220 is recommended.
Examines political opinions and ideas of Africana thinkers and leaders. Interrogates Africana political leaders and thinkers' understanding and interpretation of the political dynamics in the African world.

AFS 490 Seminar in Africana Studies (3) S.
Prerequisites: Completion of GWAR and consent of instructor.
An integrative seminar serving as a capstone to the major in Africana Studies. A research report will be required. Additionally, other creative projects may be assigned in areas such as art, music composition and performance. Three hours of seminar per week.

AFS 494 Independent Study (1-3) FS.
Prerequisites: Consent of the instructor; completion of EPT requirement.
Independent study of particular topics in Africana Studies under the direction of a member of the Africana Studies faculty. Repeatable course.

AFS 495 Seminar on Special Topics in Africana Studies (3) FS.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Intensive study of an issue, concept or theme in Africana Studies. May be taken for credit only once for the major. Repeatable course.

AFS 496 Internship (3).
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Under the direction of the internship faculty associate, students work in an African diaspora community applying skills and knowledge learned in the classroom, as well as the workplace. Repeatable course.

AFS 497 Directed Reading (1-3) FS.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Directed readings on a particular Africana Studies topic or subject area under the direction of a member of the Africana Studies faculty. Repeatable course.

AFS 498 Directed Research (1-3) FS.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Introduces students to intellectual debates on research methods in Africana Studies. Focuses on selected articles that discuss different methods of acquiring, interpreting and presenting Africana knowledge. Repeatable course.

AFS 499 Senior Project (3) FS.
Prerequisites: ENG 111, AFS 201 and AFS 220 or consent of Department Chair.
In consultation with an Africana Studies faculty, student undertakes a major project such as the following: original research and thesis on a given African world historical or theoretical topic; a creative project such as an original music composition, art work or performance with supporting scholarly program notes.

Graduate

Graduate standing or consent of the department chair is prerequisite to enrollment in graduate (500 level) courses.

AFS 594 Independent Study (1-4) FS.
Prerequisites: Consent of Department Chair.
Independent investigation of a research problem or directed readings in a selected area of Africana Studies.

AFS 595 Special Topics (3) FS.
Prerequisite: AFS 201 is recommended.
An intensive study of a concept, movement, school of thought, or individual within the discipline of Africana Studies. Intended for students with senior or graduate standing. Specific topic listed in Class Schedule. Repeatable course. Three hours of seminar per week.

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