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Molefi Asante, Jr. ’04 (left) discusses his book of poetry with Kofi Opoku, visiting professor of religion.
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Explore the African ExperienceFrom the study of African religions in the Americas to the critique of protest art, the Africana Studies major provides students with a vast interdisciplinary education that delves into present experiences and the history that has defined them. Students in this major examine the universal black experience, including Africa, its extensions into the United States, the Caribbean, and elsewhere in the world.
You will probe questions such as:
Through observation and analysis, you will develop a fuller understanding
of the problems and the solutions at the heart of the social, cultural,
and political thought and actions of people of African heritage.
These skills will help you better understand the larger notion of
the African world internationally, operate effectively in today's
culturally diverse society, understand how oppression affects your
life and that of others, as well as understand how your contributions
can play an important role in putting an end to inequity and injustice.
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Course of StudyAfricana Studies combines methods of the traditional disciplines (history, literature and languages, music, anthropology and sociology, art history, folklore, religion, economics, philosophy, political science) in analyzing the black experience and the African Diaspora. Classes expose students to theoretical and practical understanding of diaspora discourse through a variety of teaching and learning styles.Students are required to take a minimum of nine Africana Studies approved courses. The three required courses are: African Cultural Institutions, The Black Experience, and the Capstone Seminar in Africana Studies. Students must also choose one intermediary course selected from a list of approved courses including Racism and Sexism, Race and Ethnic Relations, and Class, Status, and Power. In addition, five upper electives are required. They are selected from an approved list and from at least two disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. Courses designated as Africana Studies focus significantly on the contributions and experiences of persons of African descent and African Americans. Students may also select a minor in Africana Studies. They must take a coherent cluster of at least five approved courses beginning with African Cultural Institutions. Three courses must be chosen from the list of four approved core courses—Race and Ethnic Relations, Contemporary African Economies, Black Writers, and Black Politics. At least three of the five courses should be level 300 or higher. Students are guided to select electives from two broadly organized areas: 1) analytical aspects of "blackness", focusing on societal dynamics related to history and group attitudes by or about blacks; and 2) cultural values and socioeconomic issues. Special OpportunitiesLafayette offers several learning experiences outside of the classroom that enable you to investigate topics of your choice.Africana Studies Internships: Opportunities for students to apply what they know to real-world problems. Interactive learning and research projects are selected to provide in-depth exposure to creative analytical capacities, critical thinking, and problem-solving techniques necessary for finding solutions to specific situations. Independent Studies: Qualified students work with a faculty member to develop a particular theme or topic in Africana Studies. Those who wish to seek honors pursue independent study that concludes with a supervised thesis. Study Abroad: Unique, relevant opportunities offered during interim session. Modern Sub-Saharan Africa exposes you to Africa's precarious balance between tradition and modern development. Another course, Discovering West Indian Identities, introduces you to West Indian literature, culture, and society, and political and economic issues facing Caribbean nations today. After GraduationAn Africana Studies major provides a broad-based liberal arts education that acknowledges the global relevance of the black experience. Students acquire a culturally diverse knowledge, new techniques, writing skills, and a capacity for creative endeavors. Because the program is an interdisciplinary course of study, students are prepared to enter a wide range of occupations.Majors may pursue career opportunities in business, international organizations, government, teaching, medicine, and law. For those who wish to continue their education in Africana Studies, Diaspora Studies, or African New World Studies, graduate programs are available at many prestigious graduate school and research institutions such as University of California-Los Angeles, University of California-Berkeley, Howard University, Columbia University, Yale University, Florida International University, Northwestern University, University of Wisconsin, and Temple University. Other graduates may enter diplomatic services or global corporations that require experts able to operate in culturally diverse environments anywhere around the world. FacultyRexford A. Ahene, Professor of Economics and Business and Chair of Africana studies. Ph.D., University of Wisconsin. Special interests: land policy in Africa, economic development, urban economics and public policy, real estate and international business. Has published two books: Privatization and Investment in Africa and Valuation Procedures and Practice in Tanzania.Dan F. Bauer, Professor of Anthropology and Sociology. Ph.D., University of Rochester. Special interests: African anthropology, Mexican ethnography, political anthropology, and systems of thought. Has published a book on African research and is writing a book based on a year of fieldwork in rural Mexico. Recipient of Marquis Distinguished Teaching Award. Samuel A. Hay, Visiting Professor of Government and Law. Ph.D., Cornell University. Special interest: black drama. Award-winning playwright and author of African American Theatre: A Historical and Critical Analysis, and Ed Bullins: A Literary Biography. Curlee Raven Holton, Professor and Department Head of Art. M.F.A., Kent State University. Special interests: printmaking; African American art history; participant in many exhibitions nationally; recipient of a National Endowment Fellowship Award and Beidleman Research Award. Gladstone A. Hutchinson, Associate Professor of Economics and Business. Ph.D., Clark University. Special interests: economic development in Latin America and the Caribbean. John T. McCartney, Professor of Government and Law. Ph.D., University of Iowa. Special interests: black politics and political thought, Latin America and the Caribbean, African politics. Has published a book on black power ideologies. Leads study tour to the Caribbean. Recipient of Jones Lecture Award and Marquis Distinguished Teaching Award. Ian Smith, Associate Professor and Associate Head of English. Ph.D., Columbia University. Special interests: Early modern and postcolonial literature; has published on Shakespeare and Caribbean literature and is writing a book on "race" in the Renaissance. Recipient of Jones Lecture Award. J. Larry Stockton, Professor and Head of Music. D.M.A., Temple University. Special interests: world music traditions, jazz, percussion; has produced professional recordings and published articles on Japanese music and Asian Studies. Bryan R. Washington, Associate Professor of English. Ph.D., Harvard University. Special interests: American literature, black literature, and narrative theory; author of a book on F. Scott Fitzgerald, Henry James, and James Baldwin. Recipient of Marquis Distinguished Teaching Award. John McCartney For general information: |
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