African American and African Diaspora Studies (BA)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Offered by the Department of Critical Race, Gender, and Culture Studies , College of Arts and Sciences , the African American and African Diaspora Studies (BA) is a rigorous interdisciplinary program that examines the experiences of African-descended peoples in the continental United States & the broader African Diaspora, including Africa & the Caribbean. The program provides students with an understanding of the rich history and contemporary work of African Diasporic peoples, with opportunities to explore social movements and institutions, theories of racial ideology and race politics, and the distinctive artistic, literary and cultural practices of African people worldwide.

Admission to the Program

Formal admission to the program requires a grade point average of 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) and the approval of the program director.

University Requirements

120 credit hours with minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 2 )
Completion of all requirements for a major (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 9 )

AU Core Requirements

Completion of AU Core foundation requirements (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 8.2-8.6 )
Completion of AU Core Habits of Mind requirements (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 8.7 )
Completion of AU Core integrative course requirements (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 8.8-8.11 )

For additional information, see AU Core Curriculum .

Major Requirements

36 credit hours with grades of C or better, including at least 18 credit hours at or above 300-level

Course Requirements

Core (3 credit hours)

AFAM-200 African Americans in the Diaspora (3)

Foundation (9 credit hours)

Complete 9 credit hours from the following:

Knowledge and Power (3 credit hours)

CRGC-360 Knowledge and Power: Critical Interdisciplinary Theory and Method (3)

Electives (18 credit hours)

Complete 18 credit hours from the following if not taken to fulfill Foundation, or other courses approved by program director, with at least 12 credit hours at or above 300-level, and minimum 9 credit hours from approved courses offered by the Department of Critical Race, Gender, and Culture Studies :

Capstone (3 credit hours)

CRGC-460 Capstone Research Seminar (3)

Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees

American University offers students the opportunity to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees through its combined bachelor’s/master’s programs. See Admission to a Combined Bachelor’s / Master’s Program and Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for more information.