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)
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)
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)
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)
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)