Africana Studies Major

The Africana Studies major prepares undergraduates in the essential theory and basic information about people of Africana descent to lead the change for a more equitable society.

As a student in Africana Studies, you will explore the life, culture, history, politics, and religion of people of African and the African Diaspora. You will gain a cross-cultural understanding and regional differences of the African experience, along with a trans-national perspective on the life, history and culture of people of African descent in the United States, Latin America, Canada, the Caribbean Europe, and Africa. You’ll study global issues that impact African descended people including racial formation, institutional racism, African migration, and more.

Required Courses

These four courses lay the foundation for understanding Africana Studies.

  • AFRO-A 140: Introduction to African American and African Diaspora Studies (3 credits)
  • AFRO-A 200: Research in African American and African Diaspora Studies (3 credits)
  • AFRO-A 306: Globalization, Struggle and Empowerment in the African Diaspora (3 credits)
  • AFRO-A 495: Independent Study capstone project (Senior capstone)

Area concentration requirement

Take nine credits in one of the geographical regions—Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, or North America.

The area concentration must include courses from at least 2 different School of Liberal Arts departments and at least 2 courses at the 300 level or higher.

Electives

For electives, select 12 additional credits from the Africana Studies Program and/or School of Liberal Arts courses.

Africa

  • AFRO-A 152: Introduction to African Studies (3 credits)
  • AFRO-A 306: Globalization, Struggle, and Empowerment in the African Diaspora (3 credits)
  • ENG-L 382: Fiction of the Non-Western World (3 credits)
  • ENG-L 411: Literature and Society: South African Literature and Society (3 credits)
  • FREN-F 271: Culture, Colonialism, Conflict and Human Rights (3 credits)
  • GEOG-G 424: Geography of Africa (3 credits)
  • HER-H 300: Black Visual Artists (3 credits)
  • HIST-H 227: African Civilizations (3 credits)
  • HIST-H 421: Topics in African, Asian, or Latin American History: Peoples and Cultures of Africa (3 credits)
  • POLS-Y 338: African Politics (3 credits)
  • REL-R 308: Arab Histories (3 credits)
  • REL-R 314: Religion and Racism (3 credits)

Latin America and the Caribbean: 3 credits each

  • ANTH-E 384: The African Diaspora (3 credits)
  • ENG-L 245: Introduction to Caribbean Literature (3 credits)
  • ENG-L 406: Topics in African-American Literature: Anglophone Caribbean Writers (3 credits)
  • ENG-L 406: Topics in African-American Literature: Caribbean Women Writers (3 credits)
  • FREN-F 371: Francophone African and Caribbean Literature (3 credits)
  • GEOG-G 323: Geography of Latin America (3 credits)
  • GEOG-G 324: Geography of the Caribbean (3 credits)
  • HIST-F 341: Latin America: Conquest and Empire (3 credits)
  • HIST-F 342: Latin America: Evolution and Revolution since Independence (3 credits)
  • REL-R 328: Afro-Diasporic Religions (3 credits)
  • SOC-R 461: Race and Ethic Relations (3 credits)

North America

  • AFRO-A 150: Survey of the Culture of Black Americans (3 credits)
  • AFRO-A 255: The Black Church in America (3 credits)
  • AFRO-A 303: Topics in African American Studies (3 credits)
  • AFRO-A 307: Contemporary African American Art (3 credits)
  • AFRO-A 326: Race, Class, and Beauty (3 credits)
  • AFRO-A 369: The African American Experience (3 credits)
  • ENG-L 370: Black American Writing (3 credits)
  • ENG-L 406: Topics in African American Literature (varies) (3 credits)
  • HIST-A 355: African-American History I (3 credits)
  • HIST-A 356: African-American History II (3 credits)
  • HIST-H 421: Topics in African, Asian, or Latin American History: African Americans in Indiana (3 credits)
  • HIST-H 421: Topics in African, Asian, or Latin American History: Interpreting African American History at Museums and Historic Sites (3 credits)
  • MUS-M 394: Black Music in America (3 credits)
  • MUS-Z 393: History of Jazz (3 credits)
  • POLS-Y 325: African American Politics (3 credits)
  • REL-R 363: African-American Religions (3 credits)
  • REL-R 370: Islam in America (3 credits)
  • SOC-R 461: Race and Ethic Relations (3 credits)

David Holman“I was fortunate to study under the tutelage of Dr. Obioma Nnaemeka, Chancellor’s Professor of French, Women’s Studies and Africana Studies. Africana Studies has made a huge impact on me and my life. I didn’t know my history; I didn’t know who I was. I now am aware of the ongoing issues affecting the lives of people of color whether inflicted intentionally or passively. Africana Studies has opened my eyes to institutional racism, systematic oppression, and systematic disenfranchisement of not just people of color but even those with the inability to speak for themselves.” David majored in French with an Africana Studies minor. — David Ikenze Holman, BA ‘16

Degree Map

To help you guide your four-year college journey, consult your degree map for a snapshot of the classes you will take to finish your degree.

How to enroll

Contact Dr. Patricia Turley, Faculty Mentor, jordanp@iu.edu.