Africana Studies
Description
The concentration in Africana Studies critically examines the artistic, historical, literary, and theoretical expressions of the peoples and cultures of Africa and the African Diaspora. Central to the work of students and faculty in the concentration is the close collaboration of artists, scholars, and writers in examining relationships between academic and artistic knowledge about the world and human experience. Concentrators work closely with faculty members in developing new knowledge about the world and human existence through the critical and comprehensive study of the peoples and cultures of Africa and the African Diaspora. Concentrators are encouraged to study abroad in Africa, the Caribbean, and/or Latin America and to acquire language competency in a language other than English spoken in Africa and the diaspora.
Student Goals
Students in this concentration will:
- Understand the evolution of artistic, cultural, intellectual and political traditions of the peoples and cultures in Africa and the African diaspora
- Gain a deeper understanding of how and in what ways slavery, colonialism, and conceptions of race and practices of racism have shaped the modern world
- Acquire competency in the theories and methodologies of Africana Studies and interdisciplinary scholarship
- Be prepared to assume roles as skilled and informed scholars and career professionals informed by critical thinking and global perspectives
Requirements
Click here for a list of the Africana Studies concentration requirements. For more information about this concentration, please visit the department's website.
Honors and Capstones
View Honors websiteAll Africana Studies concentrators must participate in a senior seminar. Africana Studies concentrators who wish to be admitted to the department's Honors program must complete an Honor's Thesis. Before the end of the junior year, Honors candidates must submit a work plan, written in consultation with a faculty advisor who will direct the thesis and the concentration advisor. Please see the department's website for a complete description of program requirements.
Liberal Learning
This concentration allows you to address the following Liberal Learning goals:
- Enhance your aesthetic sensibility
- Expand your reading skills
- Collaborate fully
- Understand differences among cultures
- Embrace Diversity
- Engage with your community
- Learn what it means to study the past
- Evaluate human behavior
- Work on your speaking and writing