Africana Studies

College of Arts and Humanities

General Africana Studies Concentration

Historical and Political Development Concentration

Language and Literary Traditions Concentration

Socio-Psychological Behaviors Concentration

Munashe Furusa, Department Chair

Salim Faraji, M. Keith Claybrook

Department Office: LCH B-302, (310) 243-3327

 

The Department of Africana Studies in the College of Liberal Arts offers a major and a minor in Africana Studies.  Africana Studies is primarily a peoples and culture-based discipline which investigates Africana peoples’ experiences.  These experiences range from earliest human civilizations through the tragic era of enslavement, colonization, uprootment, to the forced migration and displacement of African peoples.  The intellectual framework that sets Africana Studies apart from other disciplines is that it explores the subject area from the perspective of Africana peoples’ interests, aspirations, possibilities, and envisioned destinies.  The foundation of the discipline rests on an understanding and appreciation of African peoples’ worldview and philosophy of life as the starting point for all Africana intellectual inquiry.  The BA degree and minor program offered by the department emphasizes an examination of the theoretical and empirical characteristics of the African world experience from both a contemporary and historical perspective.

The Department of Africana Studies participates in the University’s M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies (Special Major) program. Interested candidates should contact the chair of Africana Studies, (310) 243-3327.

A Bachelor of Arts degree and minor in Africana Studies provide a solid factual and conceptual foundation of the history and the development of the African people and their societies. Students are encouraged to participate in practical learning by serving in internships or practicum in Africana communities locally, nationally, and internationally. In addition, students are encouraged to work concurrently with other disciplines in the College of Arts and Humanities, College of Natural and Behavioral Sciences, College of Business Administration and Public Policy and the College of Professional Studies.

All majors and minor students in Africana Studies are to have a faculty advisor. Students may either select an advisor or have one assigned to them. It is important that students work closely with an advisor in planning their academic programs because some required courses are offered on a one or two-year rotational basis. Transfer students should see an advisor before registering for any classes to determine if a course is transferable.

Persons with an Africana Studies background are employed in a wide range of careers such as counseling, social work, international consultant, Foreign Service, public relations, educational administration, media, management, urban planning, librarianship, law, and law enforcement.  The Department of Africana Studies provides undergraduate training for students interested in developing careers in teaching, academic research, international relations and community development. Often graduate work is required in certain job categories.

High School students planning to major in Africana Studies at California State University, Dominguez Hills should have acquired written and oral communication as well as computational skills.

The Department of Africana Studies provides students with the opportunity to study abroad, especially in Africa, the Caribbean, and South America. Please see the Department Chair for information.

There are no language requirements for Africana Studies degree programs. However, students are encouraged to study one or more of the African languages, and/or French, Spanish, and Portuguese.

An undergraduate student may be a candidate for graduation with Honors in Africana Studies provided he or she meets the following criteria:

1.   A minimum of 36 units in residence at CSU Dominguez Hills;

2.   A minimum grade point average of 3.5 in all courses used to satisfy the requirements in the major;

3.   Four upper division courses, including AFS 490, taken in the Department of Africana Studies;

4.   Recommendation by the faculty of the Department of Africana Studies.

The Department is the primary supporter of the Pan African Union and the Organization for Africana Majors and Minors. It is an organizational member of the National Council for Black Studies. The Department also supports other Africana Student Organizations on campus.

 

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.

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

See the “Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement” in the University Catalog.

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

AFS 212.    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 241.       History of African World People:
1450 to 1888 (3)

2.   Select one course from the following (3 units)

AFS 220.       African World Peoples and Societies (3)

AFS 231.       Africana Literary Traditions (3)

AFS 242.       History of African World People:
1888 to Present (3)

B.   Theory and Research Methods (6 units)

AFS 305.    Theories and Approaches in Africana Studies (3)

AFS 306.    Africana Research Methods (3)

C.  Capstone Requirement (3 units)

AFS 490.    Seminar in Africana Studies (3)

D.  Service Learning in Africana Studies (3 units)

AFS 496.    Internship (3)

HUM 312.        Key Movements: The Harlem Renaissance (3) or

HUM 312.        Key Movements: The 60s’ Second Black Renaissance (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)

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:  M. Furusa

      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: S. Faraji

      Faculty:  S. Faraji; M. Furusa

      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.   Government 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, AFS 499 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:  M. Furusa; S. Faraji

      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 and 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)

AFS 499             Senior Project (3)

NOTE:  AFS 395, AFS 494, AFS 495, AFS 497, AFS 498, AFS 499 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:  M. Furusa

      Faculty:  M. Furusa; S. Faraji

      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 Development 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)

AFS 499               Senior Project (3)

NOTE:  AFS 395, AFS 494, AFS 495, AFS 497, AFS 498, AFS 499 and courses offered in other departments may be used to satisfy the concentration’s requirements with approval of the advisor and chair.

 

A.   General Requirement (3 units)

AFS 200.  Introduction to Africana Studies (3)

B.   Core Requirements (6 units)

AFS 201.  African World Civilizations (3)

AFS 220.  African World Peoples and Societies (3) or

AFS 241.  History of African World People:  1450 to 1888 (3)

C.  Capstone Requirement (3 units)

AFS 490.  Seminar in Africana Studies (3)

 

The credit value for each course in semester units is indicated for each term by a number in parentheses following the title. For course availability, please see the list of tentative course offerings in the current Class Schedule.

AFS 200    Introduction to Africana Studies (3).

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).

Students study African civilization from antiquity to the present.  The course explores African civilizations’ interaction with and contribution to world civilizations like Greek, Asian, European and American civilizations.

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

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, Africana Asian-Pacific and Chicano/Latino communities.

AFS 220    African World Peoples and Societies (3).

This course provides students with an overview of the geographical, historical, and cultural foundations of African world peoples and societies.

AFS 231    Africana Literary Traditions (3).

The course examines literary traditions developed by people of African descent who reside in Africa as well as throughout the world. 

AFS 241    History of African World People: 1450-1888 (3).

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.

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 301    Africana Music Through the 19th Century (3).

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).

Prerequisite: AFS 200.

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).

Prerequisite: AFS 200.

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).

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).

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).

Prerequisites: 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).

Prerequisite: AFS 200 is 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).

Prerequisite: 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).

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).

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).

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).

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).

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 musical composition, art work or performance with supporting scholarly program notes.

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.