African American Studies Minor

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Our program exposes students to the interdisciplinary study of the history, politics, arts, experiences, and intellectual traditions of African Americans. This minor draws broadly on history, sociology, literature, philosophy, psychology, politics, theology, and the arts.

Program Learning Outcomes

The minor provides opportunities for students to engage in rigorous examinations of social inequality, change, and justice. These conversations are made especially challenging by confronting students with the moral and political demands of social diversity, which include class, culture, ethnicity, gender, race, and sexuality.
This educational experience prepares students to responsibly and respectfully engage in our common pursuit of justice.

Minor Requirements (20 Units)

Required

Students are required to take one foundational course and two distribution courses.

Foundational Course

Distribution Courses

Choose two of the following:

AAS 100 - Black Activists & Visionaries
AAS 200 - Community Engagement: Fillmore
CDS 305 - From Slavery to Obama
ENGL 203 - African Amer Lit Survey I
ENGL 204 - African Amer Lit Survey II
HIST 125 - African American History
HIST 351 - Slavery in US Hist & Culture
PHIL 231 - African Amer Philosophy
POLS 324 - African-American Politics
PSYC 316 - African American Psychology
SOC 238 - Afri-Amer Culture & Soc
Note: If AAS 100 is taken as foundational course, HIST 125 can be counted toward the Distribution requirement. If HIST 125 is taken as foundational course, AAS 100 can be counted toward the Distribution requirement

Electives

Choose two courses.

In addition to the classes below, students may also select additional courses from the distribution course list as electives.

AAS 150 - Black Heritage Immersion Trip
AAS 200 - Community Engagement: Fillmore
BUS 362 - Multicultural Marketing
CDS 305 - From Slavery to Obama
DANC 260 - Hip Hop Dance and Culture
ENGL 203 - African Amer Lit Survey I
ENGL 204 - African Amer Lit Survey II
HIST 259 - Civ. Rights Mov’t Hist/Film
HIST 343 - Pre-Colonial Africa
HIST 351 - Slavery in US Hist & Culture
MS 333 - Black Cinema
POLS 317 - Religion & Politics
POLS 320 - Urban Politics
POLS 324 - African-American Politics
POLS 336 - Race, Equality & the Law
PSYC 305 - Multicultural Psychology
PSYC 316 - African American Psychology
SOC 229 - Diversity/Amer Families
SOC 238 - Afri-Amer Culture & Soc
SOC 240 - People of Mixed Descent
SOC 304 - U.S. Inequalities/Soc Justice
THRS 280 - Migrant & Diaspora Relig
THRS 281 - Islam in America
THRS 322 - Liberation Theology
THTR 115 - Hip Hop Theater
Note: The African American Studies minor periodically publishes lists or announcements with additional course offerings that can be counted toward the minor.

Activities

Extracurricular events and activities will be used to supplement course work in the minor. The African American Studies Minor committee plans and sponsors a variety of events and activities, including films, speakers, conferences, and off-campus volunteer projects.