How do Letters of Specialization Work?
Letters of specialization are areas of focused study within Afro-American Studies consisting of three classes each. At least two of the classes are upper-level courses (200 level and above). On a case-by-case basis, no more than one course by an affiliated faculty member of the Du Bois Department might be counted for the specialization (it must be approved by the specialization advisor). (https://www.umass.edu/afro-am/affiliated-faculty)
Who can earn a Letter of Specialization?
Any undergraduate student at UMass Amherst! Upon completion of the three courses, you will receive a signed certificate from the department.
Current List of Letters of Specialization
1) Blackness, Gender, and Sexuality: From studying Black women, to Black Queer Studies, this specialization allows the study of the experiences and challenges lying at the intersection of Blackness, gender, and sexuality. (Specialization Advisor: Anne Kerth)
- Fall 2024 Courses
AFROAM 590B: Black Body Studies in Africa and its Diasporas
- Spring 2024 Courses
AFROAM 272: Race, Sexuality, and the Law in Early America, 3 credits (gen ed designations pending)
AFROAM 293J: Black Women, Representation, and Power in Africa and its Diasporas, 3 credits
AFROAM 326: Black Women in U.S. History, 4 credits (HS,DU)
2) Abolition and Carceral Studies: This specialization examines the injustices in carceral systems that severely impact Black communities across the United States and globally (Specialization Advisor: Toussaint Losier)
- Fall 2024 Courses
AFROAM 132: African-American History 1619-1860, 4 credits (HS,DU)
- Spring 2024 Courses
AFROAM 133: African-American History Civil War-1954, 4 credits (HS,DU)
3) Black Politics, Community Movements, and Public Policy: This specialization looks at how Black communities mobilize to push for social and policy changes (Specialization Advisor: Amilcar Shabazz)
- Fall 2024 Courses
AFROAM 101: Introduction to Black Studies, 4 credits (I,DU)
AFROAM 132: African-American History 1619-1860, 4 credits (HS,DU)
AFROAM 236: History of the Civil Rights Movement, 4 credits (HS,DU)
- Spring 2024 Courses
AFROAM 101: Introduction to Black Studies, 4 credits (I,DU)
AFROAM 161: Introduction to Afro-American Political Science, 4 credits (SB,DU)
AFROAM 390S: I Strike the Empire Back: Black Youth Culture in the Neoliberal Age, 3 credits
4) Black Arts and Creative Expression: This specialization focuses on how Black people use the arts to foster social change and express their own humanity and creativity (Specialization Advisor: James Smethurst)
- Fall 2024 Courses
AFROAM 101: Introduction to Black Studies, 4 credits (I,DU)
AFROAM 117: Survey of Afro-American Literature I, 4 credits (AL,DU)
AFROAM 156: Revolutionary Concepts in Afro-American Music II, 4 credits (AT,DU)
AFROAM 234: The Harlem Renaissance, 4 credits (AL,DU)
- Spring 2024 Courses:
AFROAM 118: Survey of Afro-American Literature II, 4 credits (AL,DU)
AFROAM 151: Literature & Culture, 4 credits (AL,DU)
AFROAM 290STB: Intro to Hip Hop Studies, 3 credits
5) Individual Specialization: Interested in health? Environment? Education? You can use the individualized option to design your own specialization within Afro-American Studies. (Specialization Advisor: Yolanda Covington-Ward)