The African and African American Studies Program offers an interdisciplinary examination of the many ways in which African and African-descended peoples have created robust lives for themselves and, in turn, contributed to the creation of the modern world. The program’s mission is advanced by its core undergraduate curriculum and certificate and minor programs that examine the culture, arts, history, politics, economics and current status of African Americans, Africans and the African Diaspora, especially in the Caribbean, Central America and South America.

The curriculum combines a research-based understanding of the humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and the arts, with practical applications (internships, community/civic engagement and research projects) to prepare students for lifelong learning, advanced study in a variety of fields, and successful careers and productive public service in an increasingly diverse society, especially in Arizona.

The Major in African and African American Studies

Students pursuing a bachelor of arts in African and African American Studies will complete 45 credit hours of major requirements. Students will choose a concentration in Africa, the Americas, Cultural Studies, Gender and Family Studies, or Politics and Society.

Fifteen hours will come from a core set of courses required for all students. A second set of fifteen hours will be specific to the concentration chosen by the student. The final set of 15 hours will be considered related area requirements.   (Checksheets for each concentration are available as downloadable Word files below.)

Course Requirements

3 Major Core Courses (9 credit hours)

• AFS 200 Introduction to African and African Diaspora Studies (3)
• AFH 305 Global History of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade
• AFR 498 Professional Seminar

2 Elective Core Courses (6 credit hours)
(choose two of the following courses)

• AFH 300 Precolonial Africa
• AFS 301 Race and Racism in Africa/African Diaspora
• AFS 302 History of Black Women in America

5 Concentration Electives (15 credit hours, chosen from concentration elective list on appropriate Check Sheet documents below)

5 Related Area Courses (15 credit hours, chose from AFR, AFH, AFS, cross-listed or other approved courses) The final set of fifteen hours will be considered related area requirements.  Students can fulfill the related area requirements by taking additional courses, focused on our key areas of study, offered directly by the AAAS unit or classes offered by units outside of AAAS chosen in consultation with the unit academic advisor.   

Total=45 credit hours

Checksheets for each of the five concentrations within the African and African American Studies major are downloadable below as Word documents.