2013–2014 The Bulletin - USS at Tufts - Tufts University

Africana Studies >
Contemporary Africana Studies grows out of
the curricular transformation that accompanied the
civil rights and Black Power eras that called for
social, political, and economic justice in the United
States and abroad and demanded a more diverse
and inclusive educational agenda. As also is true for
the related fields of Asian American Studies and
Latino Studies, the field has grown and expanded
since its origins more than four decades ago.
Contemporary Africana Studies incorporates many
disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches, but
retains its distinctive inclusion of a social justice
lens. The field also draws on 19th and early 20th
century intellectual movements focusing on
political, experiential, and other relationships of
peoples of Africa and the global diaspora.
The goal of an in-depth study of Africa and the
global African Diaspora is to develop critical
thinking, research, and writing skills while educating
students about the political, cultural, historical,
and contemporary importance of peoples of African
descent as well as the socio-political and economic
problems faced by that global community. Importantly,
the mission is to teach students methodological
skills that will enable them to conduct
independent research. Graduates of Africana
Studies Programs go on to careers in academia,
government, education and public service. The
intellectual skills acquired in this discipline are also
an excellent preparation for careers in public health,
public policy and urban planning, journalism, law
and criminal justice, and business, as well as in the
international sector.
undergraduate MAjor requirements
The major in Africana Studies consists of ten
interdisciplinary and disciplinary courses drawn
from African studies, African diaspora studies,
African American studies, and courses focused on
comparative studies or topics relevant to Africana
studies. Of these ten courses, four are core courses
and six are electives.
Four core courses
1. A gateway course in history focusing on Africa,
African Diaspora, or African America (U.S.) or
courses that highlight the connections and
divergences between Africa and the African
Diaspora
2. A course that focuses on analysis of race and
racism in Africa or the Diaspora
3. A course that focuses on the history and culture
of the peoples of Africa and the African
Diaspora, including confrontations of peoples of
Africa or the African Diaspora with colonial or
other oppressive powers, or discourses on what it
means to be an African or to reside in the global
African Diaspora
4. A course that focuses on contemporary African
and African Diaspora societies and cultures,
including social and cultural processes of
contemporary globalization involving Africa and
its Diaspora
Six elective courses
Six elective courses with at least three courses
drawn from the following focus options:
5. African Studies, African Diaspora Studies,
African American Studies.
A student interested in concentrating in African
Studies, African Diaspora Studies, or African
American Studies must take at least one core or
elective course whose primary focus is outside their
chosen concentration. Options 5A-5C are separate
options for elective courses.
5A. African Studies (courses with focus within
African continent)
5B. African Diaspora Studies (courses on
regional, transregional, transnational, African
Diaspora themes)
5C. African American Studies (courses on the
national black experience in the United States)
6. Up to two elective courses that focus on
comparative aspects of race, ethnicity, immigration,
or issues that highlight other forms of
difference or focus on a topic relevant to
Africana Studies. Elective courses must have
topics that focus, for example, on immigrant
communities, health disparities, the law and
judicial systems, to name three—that relate to
the historical and/or contemporary experiences
of Africana people. Students wishing to offer
such courses towards the Africana major that are
not listed in the Africana Studies roster of
published courses must consult with instructors
for permission. Permission for independent
study on an appropriate Africana topic must be
approved by an Africana Studies committee.
95