In this minor, students will examine the cultural, historical, economic, and political dimensions and experiences of people of African descent in America, the Caribbean, Africa, and throughout the Diaspora. Students will learn theories and methodologies that are used to examine the complex dynamics of race, class, gender, and ethnicity in America. Through this minor, students are able to develop critical and analytical approaches to societal issues because such issues are addressed and delineated through a variety of academic disciplines.
Students are encouraged to do an internship as part of the minor to further enhance their education and provide them with valuable preparation for the workforce.
Policies
Eight credits of coursework must be unique to the minor and students must complete all coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.00. For policies governing all minors, see AP.5.3.4 Minors.
Minor Requirements
Total credits: 18
Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.
Required Course
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AFAM 200 | Introduction to African American Studies (Mason Core) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 15 credits from the following: 1 | 15 | |
| Special Topics in African and African American Studies | ||
| Internship | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Global Africa | ||
| Rhetoric of Social Movements and Political Controversy (Mason Core) | ||
| Gender, Race, and Class in the Media | ||
| Culture, Identity, and Conflict | ||
| Justice and Reconciliation | ||
| Human Rights and Inequality | ||
| Global Dance Perspectives I (Mason Core) (May be applied to the minor when the topic is relevant to African and African American Studies) | ||
| Beginnings of African American Literature Through 1865 | ||
| African American Literature: Reconstruction to 1903 | ||
| African American Literature Through 1946 | ||
| Contemporary African American Literature | ||
| Topics in Francophone African Literature and Culture | ||
| Topics in Caribbean Francophone Literature and Culture | ||
| Culture, Sexuality and the Global AIDS Epidemic | ||
| Geography of North Africa and the Middle East | ||
| Government and Politics of the Middle East and North Africa | ||
| Politics of Race and Gender | ||
| Issues in Public Policy and Administration | ||
| Survey of African History (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of African History (Mason Core) | ||
| Black Social Movements | ||
| The African American Experience in the United States: African Background to 1885 | ||
| The African American Experience in the United States: Reconstruction to the Present | ||
| History of South Africa (Mason Core) | ||
| Critical Race Studies (Mason Core) | ||
| Representations of Race (Mason Core) | ||
| Fundamentals of Rock, Blues, and Jazz (Mason Core) | ||
| Jazz and Blues in America (Mason Core) | ||
| Philosophy, Race, and Gender | ||
| Introduction to Race and Ethnicity | ||
| Social Movements and Political Protest | ||
| Race and Ethnicity in a Changing World (Mason Core) | ||
| The Urban World (Mason Core) | ||
| Diversity and Inclusion Issues in Sport | ||
| Women and Work | ||
| Black Social Movements: Gendering of Violence and Activism | ||
| Women During the Enslavement Era | ||
or HIST 343 | Women during the Enslavement Era | |
| Women's Activism: From Jim Crow to Black Power | ||
or HIST 345 | Women's Activism: From Jim Crow to Black Power | |
| Gender, Race, Sexuality, and TV | ||
| Race, Class, and LGBTQ Communities | ||
| Policing Black Bodies | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
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Other courses, when relevant, may be able to meet this requirement with prior written approval of the director.