A major sequence in Afro-American Studies requires that a student elect a minimum of 33 credit hours in the Du Bois Department, in addition to the three-credit Junior Year Writing requirement. Of these, 15 credit hours are devoted to the introductory sequence. An additional 12 credit hours must be taken in any of the four areas of the advanced sequence, consisting of courses ranging from the 200 through 400 levels (excluding the senior thesis). Independent study credits do not count towards the major requirement. A final 6 credit hours must be taken in the senior thesis seminar, in which students receive guidance in researching and writing a thesis paper. Credits earned in regular courses taught in other Five College Black Studies departments may count towards the major; students must check with a department adviser before enrolling in such courses.
I. Introduction to Black Studies
A. An overview
of the disciplines represented in the department; introduces the concepts,
skills, and tools of modern scholarship in history, the humanities, and
the social sciences. All majors must take course 101, Introduction to Black
Studies.
B. An introduction to the history, literature, and culture of Black people from their African origins to contemporary times.
All majors must take at least two courses from the following Humanities offerings:
All majors must take at least two courses from the following History and Social Science offerings:
II. Advanced Sequence
The advanced sequence consists
of nine credit hours of work in any courses taken at the 200 to 400
level (senior thesis excepted). Students may choose to concentrate their
studies in a particular area, or select from a number of areas, as the case
may be. Such courses include:
History
Social Sciences
Literature
Creative and Performing Arts
Credits earned in non-introductory (200- to 400-level or equivalent) courses taught in other Five College Black Studies departments count towards the major requirement as well; students must check with a department adviser prior to enrolling in such courses. Courses taught in other departments at the University may be applied to major requirements with prior departmental approval. The departments of Anthropology, History, Journalism, Music, Political Science, Sociology and Women's Studies regularly offer such courses; a list is available at the Du Bois Department.
Special Problems and Senior Honors courses are also offered.
Senior Thesis Seminar
All majors are required to
attend a senior seminar, where they will write a senior thesis or equivalent
under the supervision of two faculty members. 6 credits.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the W.E.B. Du
Bois Department of Afro-American Studies have gone into graduate schools
in the fields of African and Afro-American studies, history, political science,
public health, industrial relations, urban planning, law, literature, and
several other areas. They have secured employment in areas such as teaching,
journalism, television communications, criminal justice, insurance sales,
and community organizing.
Requirements
A minor sequence in Afro-American
Studies requires that a student elect a minimum of 15 credit hours in the
Du Bois Department. Any department-based course not taken as an independent
study counts towards the minor requirement. Credits earned in any regular
courses taught in other Five College Black Studies departments count towards
the minor requirement as well. Students who intend to fulfill the minor
requirements in Afro-American Studies are required to register with the
department at the beginning of their junior year. Graduating seniors must
submit a Declaration of Minor form to the department main office at the
beginning of the semester in which they intend to graduate.
Sample Minor Courses of Study
These sample programs
do not exhaust the possible courses of study for the minor. They are intended
only to suggest possibilities. All are Afro-American Studies courses.
Literature
History
Art
African Studies