African and African American Studies Major
The Department of African and African American Studies (AAAS) offers a major and minor in AAAS, as well as a minor in African Studies. The major prepares students to become global citizens, scholars, and socially-minded thinkers and solvers sensitive to the demands of an increasingly diverse America and the world. It fulfills key components of Fordham University’s vision, educating students as leaders for justice and cultivating an inclusive community. The major equips students with both knowledge and skills for graduate study and careers in various fields, including law, academia, education, policy, government and politics, international organizations, journalism, and public service.
Major Requirements
- Completion of a minimum of nine one-semester courses offered by the department at the Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses.
- Required courses include African History, Caribbean History, and African American History.
- Two additional required courses include "Being and Becoming Black in the Atlantic World" and a senior research seminar in the senior year.
- Four elective courses chosen from cross-listed courses in English and, literary studies, history, art and music history, women, gender, and sexuality studies, media and communications, and political science.
Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation, students will have achieved the following curricular goals:
- Develop a critically-informed understanding of major themes and debates in African and African American complex histories.
- Gain knowledge in interdisciplinary approaches necessary for understanding the diverse histories, cultures, and experiences of African and African American peoples.
- Acquire conversance in multiple research methods relevant to the study of African and African American studies, including historical, literary, anthropological, sociological, and linguistic approaches.
- Develop critical skills in articulating and interpreting past and contemporary knowledge about African and African American histories and cultures.
- Acquire a foundation in critical thinking and problem solving, research, writing, and analytical skills essential for liberal arts education and well-rounded outlook on the world.
CIP Code
05.0201 - African-American/Black Studies.
You can use the CIP code to learn more about career paths associated with this field of study and, for international students, possible post-graduation visa extensions. Learn more about CIP codes and other information resources.
Students who major in African and African American studies must complete a minimum of nine one-semester courses offered by the department at the Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| One African History course | ||
| One The Caribbean course | ||
| One African-American History course | ||
| Additional Required courses | ||
| AFAM 3037 | Being and Becoming Black in the Atlantic World | 4 |
| AFAM 4890 | Research Seminar | 4 |
| Electives | ||
| Select four courses 1 | 14 to 16 | |
African History
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AFAM/HIST 1600 | Understanding Historical Change: Africa | 3 |
| AFAM 3140 | Contemporary Africa | 4 |
| AFAM 3141 | Women and Social Change in Africa | 4 |
| AFAM 3146 | African Immigrants in the United States | 3 |
| AFAM 3148 | History of South Africa | 4 |
| AFAM 3188 | Exploring Africa: Encounter, Expedition, and Representation | 4 |
The Caribbean
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AFAM 3150 | Caribbean Peoples and Culture | 4 |
| AFAM 3155 | Children of Immigrants in America | 4 |
| AFAM 3036 | Global Black Youth Cultures | 4 |
| AFAM 3510 | In "America's Backyard": U.S.-Caribbean Social, Political, and Economic Relations 1850-1950 | 4 |
| AFAM 3667 | Caribbean Literature | 4 |
African-American History
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AFAM 3001 | African American History I | 4 |
| AFAM 3002 | African American History II | 4 |
| AFAM 3115 | Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X | 4 |
| AFAM 3132 | Black Prison Experience | 4 |
| AFAM 3632 | Harlem Renaissance | 4 |
| HIST 3001 | African American History I | 4 |
| HIST 3002 | African American History II | 4 |
- 1
Any course with the AFAM subject code or the AFAM attribute code may fulfill this requirement.
Availability
The major in African and African American studies is available at Fordham College at Rose Hill, Fordham College at Lincoln Center, and Fordham's School of Professional and Continuing Studies at Rose Hill and Lincoln Center.
Fordham College at Rose Hill students: The requirements above are in addition to those of the Core Curriculum.
Fordham College at Lincoln Center students: The requirements above are in addition to those of the Core Curriculum.
Professional and Continuing Studies students: The requirements above are in addition to those of the PCS Core Curriculum and any additional electives that may be required to earn a minimum of 124 credits.