Minor in African American and African Diaspora Studies

African American and African Diaspora studies is a rigorous interdisciplinary program that examines African American culture in the continental U.S. in the context of the cultures of the African Diaspora.  The program provides students with an understanding of the rich history and cultures of African American peoples in the U.S., with opportunities to explore contemporary and historical African cultures, theories of racial ideology and race politics, and the distinctive artistic, literary and cultural practices of African people worldwide.

Minor Requirements

• 18 credit hours with grades of C or better with at least 12 credit hours unique to the minor and at least 9 credit hours at the 300-level or above  

Course Requirements

The following is required for all minors:

• IDIS-210 Contemporary Multi-Ethnic Voices (3)
• And one of the following:

• HIST-208 African American History to 1865 (3) 
• HIST-209 African American History 1865 to Present (3) 
• SIS-250 Civilizations of Africa (3)

• 12 credit hours in two of the following three areas. Courses should represent a mix of social sciences and the humanities. Non-recurring topics courses, independent study, internship, cooperative education, honors colloquia, and study abroad must be approved by the advisor. 

African American and African History

• HIST-208 African American History to 1865 (3) (if not taken to meet requirement above)
• HIST-209 African American History 1865 to Present (3) (if not taken to meet requirement above)
• HIST-210 Ethnicity in America (3)
• HIST-353 Civil War and Reconstruction (3)
• HIST-354 The South since Reconstruction (3)
• HIST-379 Topics in African American History (3) (topics vary)
• HIST-382 Civil War Institute (3) 
• AMST-341 Research on the City of Washington (1-6) (topics vary)
• SIS-250 Civilizations of Africa 3:2 (3) (If not taken to meet requirement above)
• SIS-265 Contemporary Africa (3)  

Global Politics of Race and Ethnicity  

• ANTH-210 Roots of Racism and Interracial Harmony 3:2 (3)
• ANTH-339 Culture, History, Power, Place (3) (topics)
• COMM-275 Dissident Media: Voices from the Underground (3)
• COMM-535 Selected Topics in News Media: Race, Ethnicity, and Community Representation (3)
• GOVT-423 Advanced Studies in Public Policy: Politics of Civil Rights (3)   
• GOVT-432 Political Institutions and Processes in Selected Areas: Africa (3) OR GOVT-532 Political Institutions and Processes in Selected Regions: Contemporary African Politics (3)  
• PHIL-317 Race and Philosophy (3)                        
• PSYC-497 Topics in Psychology: Psychology of the African American Child   
• SIS-519 Special Studies in International Politics: Ethnicity, Crime & Immigration (3) or African Political Institutions
• SOCY-210 Inequality: Class, Race, Ethnicity (3)
• SOCY-354 White Privilege and Social Justice  

Identity, Culture, and Representation  

• LIT-235 African American Literature (3)
• LIT-323 Ethnic Literatures of the United States (3) (topics vary)
• PERF-103 Beginning Jazz Dance (3)
• PERF-146 Jazz Ensemble (1)
• PERF-161 Gospel Choir (1) 
• PERF-203 Intermediate Jazz Dance (3)
• PERF-225 The African American Experience in the Performing Arts (3)
• PERF-321 Evolution of Jazz and Blues (3)
• PERF-504 African Dance (3)