Course Descriptions
205. Introduction to Africana Studies
(GER 4C, 5) Fall (3) Phillips, Vinson.
This core course employs interdisciplinary approaches to critically examine selected intellectual and cultural themes in African, African-American and Black-Diaspora studies. May have a lecture and discussion format, and may be team taught. Themes may also vary from year to year.
301. Critical Debates in Africana Studies
Spring (3-4) Staff. Prerequisites: AFST 205.
Course provides an in-depth study and discussion of a specific issue of significant debate in Africana Studies. Topics may vary by semester. This writing-intensive seminar satisfied the major writing requirement.
302. The Idea of Race
Fall or Spring (3) Blakey.
This course tracks the history of the concept of race in western science and society. Students are helped to appreciate the subjective influences of science as well as the variety of societal expressions of racial and racist ideas. (Cross-listed with ANTH 371)
304. Introduction to the African Diaspora
Fall or Spring (3) Vinson.
Reviews the dispersions of peoples from the African continent since ancient times. Major themes include the Atlantic Slave Trade, the post-emancipation fight for full citizenship in the Americas, and interactions between diasporic blacks and Africans. (Cross-listed with HIST 183).
305. African Diaspora II
Fall or Spring (3) Vinson.
This course examines the African Diaspora since 1800. Major themes: the end of slavery, the fight for full citizenship and the close interactions between diasporic blacks and Africans. A follow-up course to AFST 304. (Cross-listed with HIST 324)
306. Topics in Africana Studies
Fall or Spring (1-3) Staff. Prerequisites: AFST 205.
Approved courses focusing on relevant topics in Africana Studies, including those offered by allied Departments and Programs. The list of eligible courses is available on this program’s site each semester prior to preregistration. This course may be repeated for credit if there is no duplication of topic.
307. Workshop on Black Expressive Culture
Spring (3) Staff. Prerequisite: AFST 205 or consent of instructor.
An arts-oriented workshop that will vary depending on the specialization of the professor(s) currently teaching the course. With faculty supervision, students will create and present individual Africana- related projects.
308. West Africa Since 1800
(GER 4B) Fall or Spring (3) La Fleur.
Explores the survival of West Africans in ancient environments, subsequent challenges in trans-Saharan and Atlantic slave trade, colonial overrule, political independence, and ever-increasing globalization as well as relocation to rural America in the early Atlantic era and eventually to contemporary American cities. (Cross-listed with HIST 280)
310. Comparative Economic Inequality in Multiracial Societies
Spring (3) Abegaz. Prerequisite: ECON 101-102, or consent of instructor.
A comparative study of the historical patterns of income and wealth inequality in multiracial economies. Theory and empirical evidence on racial and class inequality will be examined with a focus on three canonical case studies (Brazil, South Africa, and U.S.). (Cross-listed with ECON 346)
312. The Global Color Line: U.S. Civil Rights and South African Anti-Apartheid Politics
(GER 4C) Fall or Spring (3) Vinson
This course examines the Civil Rights movement as part of a centuries-long tradition of black freedom struggles. The course also compares the Civil Rights movement with the South African anti-apartheid struggle and shows the close transnational relationship between African Americans and black South Africans (Cross-listed with History 231)
314. Pan-Africanism: History of a Revolutionary Idea
(GER 4C) Fall or Spring (3) Vinson
This course surveys the history of Pan-Africanism, a global political movement that considers Africans and diasporic blacks to have a common history, present and future, often proclaiming an objective of African political, socio-economic and cultural self-determination and asserting a fierce pride in African history and culture. (Cross-listed with History 239)
320. Religious Power and Change in Africa and the Black Atlantic World
Fall or Spring (3) Staff.
A multidisciplinary study of religious complexity, change and interaction in selected African and African Diaspora societies. Religions studied will include indigenous African traditions, African Islams, and African Christianities.
330. Arts in Africa
Fall or Spring (3) Staff.
A study the multiple arts of Africa: two and three dimensional visual art, music, verbal arts, performance, and multiple media. Issues explored include the artist and community, creativity and tradition, art and religion, art and politics, and museums and display.
331. Jazz
(GER 4A and 5) Fall (4) Katz, Murchison, Staff.
A survey of jazz from its origins to the present, focusing on influential improvisers and composers, development of listening skills, and issues or race, gender, commerce, and criticism. (Cross-listed as MUSC 273)
332. Sex, Race, Plays & Films: Dramatizing Diversity
(GER 4C) Spring (3) Tanglao-Aguas.
The course investigates the socio-cultural, historical, and ideological milieu of plays and films dramatizing cultural pluralism alongside an examination of selected theories on diversity. This dual approach prepares students to critically analyze and assess the position and value of cultural pluralism in constructing national identity and society. (Cross-listed with THEA 332)
334. History of American Vernacular Dance
(GER 5) Fall (3) Glenn.
An introduction, through films and lectures, to dance in U.S. popular culture with an emphasis on its development from roots in African dance to the vernacular forms of tap, ballroom, and jazz by examining the movement styles found in concert jazz, musical theatre, and popular social dances. (Cross-listed with DANC 230)
340. Peoples and Cultures of Africa
(GER3, 4B) Spring (3) Weiss.
An introduction to the diversity of African cultures and societies. This course will focus especially on experiences of colonialism in various African contexts and the many forms of transformation and resistance that characterize that encounter. (Cross-listed as ANTH 335)
341. African Ritual and Religious Practice
(GER 4B) Spring (3) Weiss.
This course focuses on the diverse forms of religious practice and experience in various social and cultural contexts in Africa. The symbolic, aesthetic, and political implications of ritual, as well as the transforming significance of religious practice, will be explored. (Cross-listed as ANTH 337)
344. Politics in Africa
(GER 4B) Fall or Spring (3) Backer.
This course highlights changes in the state structures from pre-colonial indigenous state systems, colonial administration and economy and the rise of the modern African state. (Cross-listed as GOVT 337)
406. Advanced Topics in Africana Studies
Fall or Spring (3-4) Staff. Prerequisite: AFST 205 and one AFST course at the 300 level.
Topics will be announced prior to the beginning of the semester. Admission to the course may require instructor permission. The list of eligible courses is available on this program’s site each semester prior to preregistration. This course may be repeated for credit if there is no duplication of topic.
407. Senior Colloquium
Spring (1) Staff. Prerequisite: AFST 205, and at least two AFST courses at the 300 level. AFST 301, or consent of instructor.
A discussion forum in which students present drafts of research papers from capstone experiences for feedback from class mates, the convening instructor and other interested faculty. Instructor provides background lectures on research methods, and guidelines on how to revise and present papers.
480. Independent Study
Fall or Spring (3-4) Staff. Prerequisites: AFST 205, AFST 301, and consent of instructor.
A directed readings/research course conducted on an individual or small group basis on various topics in Africana studies that are not normally or adequately covered in established courses. Open only to majors who have completed at least half of the major requirements. No more than 6 independent study credits may be counted toward the major.
495-496. Senior Honors
Fall, Spring (3, 3) Staff. Prerequisite: Approval by Program Director.
Students admitted to Senior Honors in Africana Studies will be responsible for (a) formulating a program of study in consultation with an AFST advisor, (b) satisfactory completion by April 15th of an original scholarly essay on a topic approved by the Advisory Committee, and (c) a comprehensive oral examination. Application for Honors, which includes a faculty signature and a prospectus, should be made to the Charles Center in early September of the senior year. An acceptable research proposal includes: (1) a clear statement of the research problem; (2) a brief, critical review of the scholarly literature on the topic; and (3) a description and defense of the methodology to be employed. For College provisions governing Honors, see the section of the Catalog titled Honors and Special Programs.
498. Internships
Fall, Spring, or Summer (3) Staff. Prerequisite: Approval by Program Director.
Qualified AFST majors may receive credit for an approved program that provides an opportunity to apply and expand knowledge under expert supervision in an off-campus position. Internships require a significant written report, and must be overseen by a faculty member, or an external supervisor approved by the Program Director.