African American Studies Interdisciplinary Minor

Administrative Office

University Center, Room 538

Phone: (415) 422-5983

Stephanie Sears, Director

Ronald Sundstrom, Director

The African American Studies Minor exposes students to the interdisciplinary study of the history, politics, arts, experiences, and intellectual traditions of African Americans. This Minor draws broadly on history, sociology, literature, philosophy, psychology, politics, theology, and the arts. The courses explore the rich cultural and intellectual traditions of the evolving Black American life. Through the core course students are grounded in the fundamentals of African American history, and in the electives the students learn that the African American experience is at the heart of not only the United States experience but also the experience of the Americas and the world.

USF's vision to educate students who will fashion a more just and humane world is central to the mission of African American Studies. The Minor provides opportunities for students to engage in rigorous examinations of social inequality, change, and justice. These conversations are made especially challenging by confronting students with the moral and political demands of social diversity, which include class, culture, ethnicity, gender, race, and sexuality. This educational experience prepares students to responsibly and respectfully engage in our common pursuit of justice.

African American Studies Minor Requirements

The Minor requires the completion of twenty (20) units. Students are required to take one of the three core courses (described below) and four (4) electives. Two of the electives must be dedicated to African American topics or issues, but the remaining electives may offer partial coverage. The electives are drawn from a variety of departments. These courses may be double-counted and triple-counted for major and USF Core Curriculum requirements.

Core Course (Required)

Students are required to take one of the following three courses:

• SOC - 238 African American Culture and Society
• PHIL - 343 African American Philosophy
• PASJ - 316 African American Arts and Culture

Electives

Students are required to take four elective courses, two of which must be full coverage courses on African American issues or topics.

Full Coverage Courses

In addition to the classes below, students may select as full coverage courses the two remaining "core" classes. The course they have selected for the "core" class will not count toward their full coverage course requirement.

• ENGL - 203 African American Literature Survey I
• ENGL - 204 African American Literature Survey II
• ENGL - 401 African American Women Novelists
• SOC - 238 African American Culture and Society
• PHIL - 343 African American Philosophy
• POLS - 324 African-American Politics
• PASJ - 325 The Harlem Renaissance and Negritude Movements

Partial Coverage Courses

These courses include some attention to African American Issues:

• HIST - 120 History of the U.S.
• HIST - 343 Pre-Colonial Africa
• HIST - 352 The Civil War and Reconstruction
• HIST - 363 Race and Ethnicity in United States History
• PHIL - 231 Philosophy of the Human Person: Race Issues
• PHIL - 481 Topics in Philosophy of Race
• POLS - 195 Freshman Seminar
• POLS - 305 Critical Race Theory
• POLS - 315 Race and Ethnicity in American Politics
• POLS - 336 Race, Equality and the Law
• PSYC - 305 Psychology of Ethnic Groups in the United States
• PSYC - 307 Cross-Cultural Psychology
• PSYC - 396 Psychology Practicum
• SOC - 240 People of Mixed Descent
• SOC - 304 U.S. Inequalities and Social Justice
• SOC - 325 Critical Approaches to Race and Ethnicity
• SOC - 331 Social Stratification

Internship

An internship is not required, but is recommended.

• SOC - 395 Fieldwork in Sociology

Activities

Extracurricular events and activities will be used to supplement course work in the Minor. The African American Studies Minor committee plans and sponsors a variety of events and activities, including films, speakers, conferences, and off-campus volunteer projects.