Program in AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDIES

College of Social Sciences

Director: Dr. Patrick L. Mason

The African-American Studies program is an interdepartmental and interdisciplinary study of the history, culture, and socio-economic well-being of African-Americans. Knowledge and research methods drawn from several disciplines enable students to enhance their understanding of African-Americans' unique social circumstances and heritage, and acquire a deeper comprehension of the history and culture of the nation as a whole.

Requirements for a Minor in African-American Studies

The program minor requires the completion of fifteen (15) semester hours. Specific requirements are as follows: 1) AFA 3101 Theory and Dynamics of Racism and Oppression, or AFA 2000 Introduction to the Afro-American Experience, three (3) semester hours; 2) SOP 3782 Psychology of the Afro-American, three (3) semester hours; 3) subject to departmental prerequisites, at least six (6) semester hours selected from core courses; and 4) the remaining three (3) semester hours to be selected from special topics seminars, directed individual studies (DIS) in approved disciplines, or approved courses not previously chosen to fulfill the core requirements.

Freshmen and sophomore students who intend to minor in African-American studies should declare this intention with the dean of their college or school and their department advisor. Junior and senior students should notify their respective academic deans.

Definition of Prefix

AFA - African American Studies

Core Courses

These courses will count for the minor in African-American Studies Program.

AFA 2000. Introduction to the Afro-American Experience (3). An interdisciplinary examination of the form and content of Afro-American culture as an expression of its African heritage and a response to economic, social, and political oppression in the New World.

AFA 3101. Theory and Dynamics of Racism and Oppression (3). A conceptual, institutional, and historical analysis of the operation and inner logic of racism andoppression.

AFA 3330. Black Families in America (3). This course explores the social, economic, and cultural forces that have shaped the development of African American families. In examining historical and contemporary transitions in the structure and functioning of African American families, special emphasis is given to the bifurcation in the distribution of wealth and power in American society, as well as the role of racial stratification. The course also seeks to empirically examine contemporary policy and political debates on crucial issues confronting African American families.

AFA 3395. Cultural Pluralism and Community Service (3). This course presents students a theoretical framework for evaluating effective community service strategies, especially in response to the needs of African-American clients.

AFA 3930r. Special Topics (1-3). Varies with instructor, and semester. May be repeated to a maximum of nine (9) semester hours.

AFA 4905r. African American Studies Directed Individual Study (1–4). May be repeated during the same semester.

Other Courses

AFA 1003. Diversity and Justice (1). This course integrates African authors, pre- and post-Apartheid, to demonstrate the problems of living in a diverse world. It fosters awareness and acceptance of people different from students through the study of African-American culture, and stimulates an appreciation and respect for people of all cultures.

Note: descriptions of the following courses can be found under the individual departments in which they are taught.

• AFH 1000. African History and Civilization (3).
• AFH 3451. Sub-Sahara Africa Since 1800 (3).
• AMH 1091. The African-American Experience in the United States (3).
• AMH 2096. Black Women in America (3).
• AMH 4571. Black America to 1877 (3).
• AMH 4572. Black America Since 1877 (3).
• AML 2600. The African-American Literary Tradition (3).
• AML 3682. American Multi-Ethnic Literature (3).
• AML 4604. African-American Literary Traditions (3).
• ARH 2521C. Survey in African-American Art (3).
• ARH 4118. Archaeology of Ancient Egypt (3).
• ARH 4523. West African Art and the Diaspora: Brazil, Haiti, The United States and Suriname (3).
• ARH 4583. The Arts of Oceania, Africa and Native America (3).
• CCJ 4662. Minorities, Crime, and Social Policy (3).
• DAN 3930r. Special Topics in Dance (1-3).
• ECP 3143. Afro-Americans in the American Political Economy (3).
• ECP 4613. Urban Economics (3).
• FRW 4770. Black Literature of French Expression (3).
• HIS 4930r. Special Topics in History (3).
• LIT 4329. African-American Folklore (3).
• MUH 3053. Minority Musics in North America (3).
• MUH 4801. History of Jazz I (3).
• MUH 4802. History of Jazz II (3).
• MUL 4931r. Special Topics in Music Literature (1-3).
• MUT 2641r. Jazz Improvisation I (1).
• PAD 4414. American Public Service (3).
• POS 3142. Urban Politics (3).
• POS 4624. The Supreme Court, Civil Liberties, and Civil Rights (3).
• POT 2502. Politics and Ethics (3).
• REL 3375. Afro-Caribbean Religions (3).
• REL 3936r. Special Topics in Religion (1-3).
• REL 4190r. Undergraduate Religion and Culture Seminar (3).
• SOP 3782. Psychology of the African-American (3).
• SOW 4622. Social Work with Black Families (3).
• SOW 4627. Mental Health of Diverse Populations (3).
• SOW 4935r. Seminar in Social Work: Selected Topics (3).
• SPC 4634. The Rhetoric of Race Relations (3).
• SPC 4651r. Rhetoric of Contemporary Issues (3).
• SPC 4710. Interracial/Intercultural Communication (3).
• SYD 3600. The Community in Urban Society (3).
• SYD 4700. Race and Minority and Group Relations (3).
• THE 4233. History of African-American Drama (3).
• THE 4433. Gender, Race and Performance (3).
• THE 4935r. Selected Subjects in Theatre Studies (3).
• URP 4741. Introduction to Issues in Housing and Community Development (3).
• URP 4936r. Special Topics in Urban and Regional Planning (Neighborhood Planning) (3).

Note: courses are available at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) that may transfer to the Florida State University program in African American Studies. Please see department for details and a list of approved courses.