Undergraduate Bulletin > African American Studies > Major
African American Studies Major (AFST)
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Required: 122 semester hours, to include at least 36 hours at or above the 300 course level
Available Concentrations and AOS Codes:
African American Studies, U803
Cultural Arts, U865
The African American Studies major gives students an integrated and critical understanding of the experiences and contributions of peoples of African descent throughout the world.
African American Studies students will be able to apply these theories and methods to better understand the social, political, and economic problems facing people of African descent. In addition, students graduating with the major will be well prepared for leadership in the African American community, in particular, and American society in general. The African American Studies Program is committed to offering an academically challenging curriculum coupled with a solid foundation of liberal arts education.
The Cultural Arts concentration is for majors interested in developing their knowledge of African American performance, art, film, and music. Students who pursue this concentration will enhance their understanding of how culture, history, politics, gender, and art intersect.
Requirements
I General Education Core Requirements (GEC)
See complete GEC requirements and approved course listings for all categories.
Core Category
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Students may select courses for:
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Literature (GLT)
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3
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Fine Arts (GFA)
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3
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Philosophical, Religious, Ethical Principles (GPR)
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3
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Mathematics (GMT)
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3
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Natural Sciences (GNS)
one must be a laboratory course; each must have a
different departmental prefix
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6–7
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Reasoning and Discourse (GRD)
ENG 101 or FMS 115 or RCO 101, and one additional GRD course
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6
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Department specifies courses for:
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One additional GLT course (student may select)
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3
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Historical Perspectives on Western Culture (GHP)
required: AFS 201
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3
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Social and Behavioral Sciences (GSB)
required: AFS 210 and one other GSB course
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6
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II General Education Marker Requirements
See details and courses. It is possible to meet all GE Marker Requirements while completing the GE Core requirements or courses required by the major/concentration.
Students may select courses for:
Global/Global Non-Western Perspectives (GL/GN)
four (4) courses carrying GL/GN markers, at least one of which must carry the GN marker
One Speaking Intensive (SI) Course
In addition to this SI Marker requirement, students must also complete a second SI course within the major. All programs have identified at least one course among their major requirements that is taught as Speaking Intensive.
One Writing Intensive (WI) Course
In addition to this WI Marker requirement, students must also complete a second WI course within the major. All programs have identified at least one course among their major requirements that is taught as Writing Intensive.
III College of Arts and Sciences Additional Requirements (CAR)
See requirements and approved courses.
Category
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Historical Perspectives on Western Culture
one GHP/GPM course
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3
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Natural Sciences
one additional GNS/GLS or GPS course
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3–4
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Social and Behavioral Sciences (GSB)
one additional GSB course
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3
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Foreign Language (GFL)
intermediate-level proficiency in one language, demonstrated by placement test, or completion of course work through course number 204
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0–12
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Writing Intensive Courses (WI)
a total of four WI courses
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IV Major and Related Area Requirements
Minimum 30 semester hours to include the following:
Core Courses for Both Concentrations (18 semester hours)
- AFS 2011, 2101, 315, 410
- ENG 374 or 376
- HIS 301 or 302 or 389
Additional AFS and Related Area Courses (12 semester hours)
African American Studies
Students should select an additional 12 hours from the following courses:
AFS 200, 305, 310, 320, 325, 330, 351, 400; ARH 370, 371; DCE 232, 332; ATY 325, 355, 440; ENG 315; HIS 203, 204, 306, 399, 502, 524, 581; MTD 214; PHI 121; PSC 391; REL 229; SOC 222, 327, 364, 390, 425; WGS 333
Cultural Arts Concentration
AFS 400 (3 s.h.) is required; in addition, students should select 3 courses (9 s.h.) from AFS 200, 310, 330, or 351.
V Electives
Electives sufficient to complete the 122 semester hours required for degree.