African American Studies (Minor)

(Minor)

DEPARTMENTS OF

ENGLISH, FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND JOURNALISM

HISTORY, POLITICAL SCIENCE AND PHILOSOPHY

SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS

Objectives

Students completing the minor in African American Studies will have an understanding of the history, literature, art and music of African Americans. Students will also develop an awareness of the global African American experience through the cultural study of African, Caribbean and other populations. The minor in African American Studies is an interdisciplinary course of study which explores the history and culture of African Americans and Blacks throughout the Diaspora.

Minor in African American Studies

The minor in African American Studies requires 21 hours with a minimum grade of ―C.

Required Courses

AAS 200, ART 205, MUS 205, ENG 416, and HIS 203 or HIS 403. The remaining six hours may be elected from the following courses: ENG 473H, HIS 402, HIS 459, JOU 475, PHI 208, PSC 350, SOC 302, SOC 306, BAD 385, EDU 260, AAS 400H.

Course Descriptions

AAS 200 INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES.

(3). An introduction to theories regarding African roots of Western civilization, and the cultural and philosophical legacy of the Diaspora.

AAS 400H HONORS SERVICE LEARNING

. (1-3, fa, sp, su). Provides students with the opportunity to engage in a directed service, research or creative project of benefit to the University under the close supervision of a faculty mentor or a campus administrator. Students work on approved project 5-10 hours per week. Student may re-enroll for a total of 6 credit hours. Prerequisite: Admission to the Honors Program and previous honors coursework with a 3.2 GPA; 3.2 cumulative GPA; junior standing; permission of instructor and Department Head.

ART 205 AFRICAN AMERICAN ART HISTORY.

(3). A survey of African American art and artists from colonial period to the present. The course will consider the social, political, cultural, and artistic development of the artists.

ENG 416 AFRICAN AMERICAN LITERATURE.

HIS 203 AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY.

(3). Readings in the literary interpretation of the African American authors, viewed within a comprehensive, historical context. Prerequisite: ENG 307.  (1-6, fa). Survey of the history of Black people from ancient Africa to the present. Prerequisite: ENG 101.

HIS 403 BLACKS IN AMERICA.

(3, sp, even). Black people in the U.S. from the beginning of the slave trade through the 20th century. Prerequisite: HIS 205 or 206 or consent of instructor.

MUS 205 MUSIC OF BLACK AMERICANS.

(3). An historical and analytical survey (performance practices and compositional trends) of jazz, ragtime, sacred music (spirituals and gospel), secular folk songs, rhythm and blues, etc., emanating from the Black experience.