Program: African American and African Diaspora Studies (Minor) - American University

Apr 26, 2025

American University Catalog 2014-2015

The minor in African American and African Diaspora Studies is a rigorous interdisciplinary program that examines African American culture in the continental United States in the context of the cultures of the African diaspora. The program provides students with an understanding of the rich history and cultures of African American peoples in the United States, with opportunities to explore contemporary and historical African cultures, theories of racial ideology and race politics, and the distinctive artistic, literary and cultural practices of African people worldwide.

Minor Requirements

18 credit hours with grades of C or better with at least 12 credit hours unique to the minor and at least 9 credit hours at the 300-level or above

Course Requirements

Required

IDIS-210 Contemporary Multi-Ethnic Voices FA4 (3)

One of the following:

12 credit hours in two of the following three areas:

African American and African History; Global Politics of Race and Ethnicity; and Identity, Culture, and Representation.

Courses should represent a mix of social sciences and the humanities. Topics courses, independent study, internship, and study abroad, or other applicable courses not listed below, must be approved by the advisor.

African American and African History

AMST-340 Community Activism and Regional Studies (3)
HIST-208 African-American History: to 1877 (3) (if not taken to meet requirement above)
HIST-209 African-American History: 1877 to Present (3) (if not taken to meet requirement above)
HIST-210 Ethnicity in America FA4 (3)
HIST-453 Civil War and Reconstruction (3)
HIST-454 The South since Reconstruction (3)
HIST-478 Civil War Institute (3)
HIST-479 Topics in African American History (3)
SISU-211 Civilizations of Africa FA3 (3) (if not taken to meet requirement above)
SISU-386 Contemporary Africa (3)

Global Politics of Race and Ethnicity

ANTH-210 Roots of Racism and Interracial Harmony FA3 (3)
ANTH-439 Culture, History, Power, Place (3) (topics)
COMM-275 Dissident Media: Voices from the Underground FA4 (3)
COMM-535 Special Topics in News Media (3) : Race, Ethnic and Community Reporting
GOVT-423 Advanced Studies in Public Policy (3) : Politics of Civil Rights
GOVT-432 Political Institutions and Processes in Selected Countries (3)
or
PHIL-417 Race and Philosophy (3)
PSYC-497 Topics in Psychology (3) : Psychology of the African American Child
SIS-519 Special Studies in International Politics (3) :
African Political Institutions

Ethnicity, Crime and Immigration
SOCY-210 Power, Privilege, and Inequality FA4 (3)
SOCY-354 White Privilege and Social Justice (3)