An introduction to the theoretical, conceptual, and historical framework that has shaped the study of Africa and a multidisciplinary survey of the main topics and issues facing the African continent as a vehicle for understanding African studies and making sense of Africa's evolution. Fulfills General Education Foundations - Social and Behavioral Sciences. Fulfills General Education Cultures - Global Perspectives. Offered fall and winter semesters.
Winter 2026 - Online Fall 2026 - Online Winter 2027 - Online
Traces the historical development and examines the scope, theories, discourses, and methodologies defining African American studies and the critical responses to these studies. Surveys perspectives on African American history, religion, social organization, politics, economy, literature, and culture and social ideology. Fulfills General Education Foundations - Social and Behavioral Sciences. Fulfills General Education Cultures - U.S. Diversity. Offered fall and winter semesters.
Overview of the history and culture of African societies throughout the world and the persistence of African culture among black populations outside of Africa. Chronicle of major events in the diasporic experience. Examines ethnocultural debate, African cultural values, artistic and intellectual traditions, and cultural continua of African forms in the New World. Fulfills General Education Cultures - Global Perspectives. Offered winter semester.
Winter 2027 - Online
A study of social and economic forces that shape the political processes in Africa through a combination of individual cases and general themes. Topics include colonization, regional integration, democratic transitions, state collapse and violence, politics of ethnicity, religion, gender and class, civil society, development, and Africa's role in world affairs. Fulfills General Education Cultures - Global Perspectives. Part of the Globalization Issue. Cross-listed with PLS 319. Offered fall semester. Prerequisite: Junior standing.
Fall 2026 - Hybrid
Survey of the interdisciplinary field of black feminist studies. Focuses on the history, theoretical approaches, and interventions of black feminist studies through examination of the foundational topics and concerns of the field. Cross-listed with WGS 343. Offered fall semester.
Winter 2027 - Hybrid
