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

Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree

See the "Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree" in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 40 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

Elective Requirements

Completion of elective courses (beyond the requirements listed below) to reach a total of a minimum of 120 units.

General Education Requirements (54-60 units)

See the "General Education" requirements in the University Catalog or the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education requirements and course offerings.

United States History, Constitution and American Ideals Requirement (6 units)

See the "United States History, Constitution, and American Ideals" requirements in the University Catalog. Courses used to satisfy this requirement do not apply to General Education.

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement

See the "Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement" in the University Catalog.

Minor Requirements

Student completing this major will need to complete a minor in another field.

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required of all candidates for this degree.

Major Requirements (39 units)

Recommended Course:
AFS 212. Introduction to Comparative Ethnic and Global Societies (3)

A. Lower Division Requirements (12 units)

1. Lower Division Required Courses (9 units)
   AFS 200. Introduction to Africana Studies (3)
   AFS 201. African World Civilizations (3)
   AFS 242. Hist of African Wrld People: 1888 to Present (3)

2. Select one course from the following (3 units)
   AFS 220. African World Peoples and Cultures (3)
   AFS 231. Africana Literary Traditions (3)
   AFS 241. Hist of African Wrld People: 1450 to 1888 (3)

B. Theory and Research Methods (6 units)
AFS 305. Theories and Approaches in Africana Studies (3)
AFS 306. Africana Research Methods (3) or
AFS 499. Senior Project (3)

C. Capstone Requirement (3 units)
AFS 490. Seminar in Africana Studies (3)

D. Service Learning in Africana Studies (3 units)
AFS 396. Practicum (3) or
AFS 496. Internship (3)

F. Concentration Requirements (15 units)
The Department of Africana Studies offers three specialized concentrations and a general concentration area that allow students majoring in Africana studies to specialize in particular areas. All students must complete five courses in one concentration area with the approval of their advisor and chair of the Department of Africana Studies.

1. General Africana Studies Concentration
   Coordinator: W. Little
   This concentration allows students to design their own concentration area. However, a student selecting the general Africana Studies concentration must have his or her program approved by the advisor and chair of Africana Studies. Related seminar may be chosen from other disciplines with the approval of the advisor and chair of Africana Studies.

2. Historical and Political Development Concentration
   Coordinator: W. Little
   Faculty: H. Caldwell, W. Little, R. Vanterpool
   This concentration focuses on examining African peoples, societies, and nations from the perspective of their historical and political experiences from antiquity to the present. The concentration covers ancient civilizations, institutional formation, political thought, political and economic systems; leadership, ethnicity, race, color and gender relationships; and local, national, regional and international politics in Africana societies and nations. Related seminar may be chosen from other disciplines with the approval of the advisor and the chair of Africana Studies.

   A. Select three courses from the following (9 units)
   HIS 343. The African American from Africa through Reconstruction (3) or
   HIS 360. Africa: Pre-Colonial Period (3)
   HIS 344. The African American from Reconstruction to Present (3) or
   HIS 361. Africa: Colonialism to Independence (3)
   SBS 318. Cultural Pluralism: African Diaspora in Caribbean and Latin America (3) or
   SBS 318. Cultural Pluralism: African Diaspora in the United States (3)

   B. Select two courses from the following (6 units)
   AFS 423. Africana Leaders (3) or
   POL 349. Gov't and Politics in Sub-Saharan Africa (3)
   AFS 424. Africana Political Thought (3) or
   PHI 371. African and African Diaspora Philosophies (3)

   NOTE: AFS 395, AFS 494, AFS 495, AFS 497, AFS 498 and courses offered in other departments may be used to satisfy the concentration's requirements with approval of the advisor and chair.

3. Language and Literary Traditions Concentration
   Coordinator: M. Furusa
   Faculty: H. Caldwell, T. Chin, M. Furusa, R. Vanterpool
   This concentration focuses on examining various forms of Africana communication and modes of literary productions. It covers Africana oral and written traditions associated with key literary and historical movement.

   A. Select three courses from the following (9 units)
   AFS 330. Africana Literature and Culture (3)
   HUM 312. Key Movements: Africana Arts, Religions & Culture (3) or
   ENG 317. Sociolinguistics: Black English (3)
   PHI 370. Philosophies of Africa/the African Diaspora (3) or
   PHI 371. African World Religions (3)

   B. Select two courses from the following (6 units)
   AFS 301. Africana Music through the 19th Century (3) or
   ENG 343. African American Poetry and Drama (3)
   ENG 344. African American Prose (3) or
   MUS 401. Afro- American Music (3)

   NOTE: AFS 395, AFS 494, AFS 495, AFS 497, AFS 498 and courses offered in other departments may be used to satisfy the concentration's requirements with approval of the advisor and chair.

4. Socio-Psychological Behavior
   Coordinator: W. Little
   Faculty: R. Davis, W. Little
   This concentration examines the socio-psychological behaviors and organizational dynamics of Africana society and community life. The concentration focuses on the study of individual and collective identity, family relations, social organization and cultural practices as bases for intellectual exploration into the Africana social and cultural system. Related seminar may be chosen from other disciplines with the approval of the advisor and chair of Africana Studies.

   A. Required courses (9 units)
   AFS 423. Africana Leaders Seminar (3)
   PSY 382. Psychological Develop. of the Black Child (3)
   PSY 383. Psychology of the Black Experience (3)

   B. Select two courses from the following (6 units)
   PHI 371. African World Religions (3)
   SOC 331. Minority Racial and Ethnic Relations (3) or
   SOC 383. Black Communities: Class, Status and Power (3)

   NOTE: AFS 395, AFS 494, AFS 495, AFS 497, AFS 498 and courses offered in other departments may be used to satisfy the concentration's requirements with approval of the advisor and chair.

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