Africana Studies, BA

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Africana Studies, BA

Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies · 39 credits

Catalog page

Typical path

+ First Year Seminar

+ SBC ×2

+ Elective

+ First Year Seminar

+ SBC ×2

+ Elective

+ Course from Area A

+ SBC ×3

+ Elective

+ Course from Area A

+ SBC ×2

+ Elective ×2

+ AFH 447/AFS 447/AFH 487 or AFS

+ Course from Area B

+ Course in related discipline

+ Course from Area C

+ SBC

+ Course from Area B

+ Course in related discipline

+ Course from Area C

+ Upper-division elective

+ SBC

+ Course from Area D

+ Course in related discipline

+ SBC ×3

+ Course from Area D

+ Course in related discipline

+ SBC

+ Elective ×2

All options

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ConcentrationInterdisciplinary6 groups of options

Pick 2 courses

9 courses to choose from

100s

None

200s

300s

400s

Pick 2 courses

6 courses to choose from

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Pick 2 courses

12 courses to choose from

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Pick 2 courses

7 courses to choose from

100s

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Pick 3 credits

4 courses to choose from

100s

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400s

Pick 2 courses

54 courses to choose from

100s

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400s

ConcentrationHuman Rights and Social Justice6 groups of options

Pick 1 course

9 courses to choose from

100s

None

200s

300s

400s

Pick 1 course

6 courses to choose from

100s

None

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Pick 1 course

12 courses to choose from

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Pick 1 course

5 courses to choose from

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Pick 5 courses

14 courses to choose from

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Pick 2 courses

3 courses to choose from

100s

None

200s

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300s

None

400s

ConcentrationHealth and Disease in Africa and the African Diaspora6 groups of options

Pick 1 course

9 courses to choose from

100s

None

200s

300s

400s

Pick 1 course

6 courses to choose from

100s

None

200s

300s

400s

None

Pick 1 course

12 courses to choose from

100s

None

200s

None

300s

400s

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Pick 1 course

5 courses to choose from

100s

None

200s

None

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Pick 5 courses

8 courses to choose from

100s

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Pick 2 courses

3 courses to choose from

100s

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400s

1.Concentration (choose one)

One concentration

Interdisciplinary
All of
- All of
  AFS 101Themes in the Black Experience I3 cr
  AFS 102Themes in the Black Experience II3 cr
- Choose 2 courses
  AFH 206Great Books of the Black Experience3 cr
  AFH 249African-American Literature and Music in the 19th and 20th Centuries3 cr
  AFH 329Pan-African Literature I3 cr
  AFH 330Pan-African Literature II3 cr
  AFH 368Caribbean and American Connections in Literature3 cr
  AFH 382Black Women's Literature of the African Diaspora3 cr
  AFH 385French Caribbean Literature3 cr
  AFH 391Topics in Africana Studies3 cr
  AFH 423Africana Literature in French3 cr
- Choose 2 courses
  AFS 221Introduction to Modern African History3 cr
  AFS 239Introduction to the Caribbean Experience3 cr
  AFS 240Issues in Caribbean Society3 cr
  AFS 277The Modern Color Line3 cr
  AFS 365Global Africa3 cr
  AFS 372African-American Political Thought3 cr
- Choose 2 courses
  AFS 300Blacks in the City3 cr
  AFS 310American Attitudes Toward Race3 cr
  AFS 319The Politics of Race3 cr
  AFS 325Civil Rights and Black Power3 cr
  AFS 339Recent African American History3 cr
  AFS 350Black Women and Social Change: A Cross-Cultural Perspective3 cr
  AFS 360African-American Social Commentary3 cr
  AFS 363The Black Experience in Mass Media3 cr
  AFS 370The African-American Family3 cr
  AFS 375Slavery3 cr
  AFS 392The Black Power Movement3 cr
  AFS 394Black Nationalism in America3 cr
- Choose 2 courses
  AFH 379Philosophy of Race (III)3 cr
  AFS 345Culture and Gender: Women in Africa and the Caribbean3 cr
  AFS 337The Politics of Africa3 cr
  AFH 339Arts of the African Diaspora3 cr
  AFS 381AIDS, Race, and Gender in the Black Community3 cr
  AFS 346Political and Social History of Africa3 cr
  AFS 393The Caribbean Immigrants in the United States: Dreams and Realities3 cr
- Of the eight area courses, at least two must be selected from 200-level courses and at least five must be upper-division courses at the 300 or 400 level.
- Choose 3 credits
  AFH 447Readings in Africana Studies1–3 cr
  AFS 447Readings in Africana Studies1–3 cr
  AFH 487Research in Africana Studies0–3 cr
  AFS 487Research in Africana Studies0–3 cr
- One of
  Choose 2 courses
  AFS, AFH courses numbered 300 and above
  Excluding AFS 283, AFS 475, AFS 476, AFS 488, AFH 475, AFH 476.
  or
  Two upper-division courses outside the Department of Africana Studies, with approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies
- AFS 459Write Effectively in Africana Studies0 cr
Human Rights and Social Justice
All of
- Social Action Project: the topic must be approved by the Undergraduate Director.
- Internship Requirement: serve an internship in an organisation in Long Island or the Greater New York City area.
- All of
  AFS 101Themes in the Black Experience I3 cr
  AFS 102Themes in the Black Experience II3 cr
- Choose 1 course
  AFH 206Great Books of the Black Experience3 cr
  AFH 249African-American Literature and Music in the 19th and 20th Centuries3 cr
  AFH 329Pan-African Literature I3 cr
  AFH 330Pan-African Literature II3 cr
  AFH 368Caribbean and American Connections in Literature3 cr
  AFH 382Black Women's Literature of the African Diaspora3 cr
  AFH 385French Caribbean Literature3 cr
  AFH 391Topics in Africana Studies3 cr
  AFH 423Africana Literature in French3 cr
- Choose 1 course
  AFS 221Introduction to Modern African History3 cr
  AFS 239Introduction to the Caribbean Experience3 cr
  AFS 240Issues in Caribbean Society3 cr
  AFS 277The Modern Color Line3 cr
  AFS 365Global Africa3 cr
  AFS 372African-American Political Thought3 cr
- Choose 1 course
  AFS 300Blacks in the City3 cr
  AFS 310American Attitudes Toward Race3 cr
  AFS 319The Politics of Race3 cr
  AFS 325Civil Rights and Black Power3 cr
  AFS 339Recent African American History3 cr
  AFS 350Black Women and Social Change: A Cross-Cultural Perspective3 cr
  AFS 360African-American Social Commentary3 cr
  AFS 363The Black Experience in Mass Media3 cr
  AFS 370The African-American Family3 cr
  AFS 375Slavery3 cr
  AFS 392The Black Power Movement3 cr
  AFS 394Black Nationalism in America3 cr
- Choose 1 course
  AFH 379Philosophy of Race (III)3 cr
  AFS 345Culture and Gender: Women in Africa and the Caribbean3 cr
  AFS 337The Politics of Africa3 cr
  AFH 339Arts of the African Diaspora3 cr
  AFS 346Political and Social History of Africa3 cr
- Of the four area courses, two must be selected from 200-level courses and two must be upper-division courses at the 300 or 400 level.
- Choose 5 courses
  AFS 340Human Rights and Africa3 cr
  AFS 325Civil Rights and Black Power3 cr
  AFS 350Black Women and Social Change: A Cross-Cultural Perspective3 cr
  AFS 373Sexualities: African and Caribbean Perspectives3 cr
  AFH 380African American and Caribbean Theatre3 cr
  AFS 382Race, Ethnicity and the Environment3 cr
  AFS 392The Black Power Movement3 cr
  ARH 328Exhibiting Africa3 cr
  SOC 303Social Inequality3 cr
  SOC 309Social Conflicts and Movements3 cr
  POL 310Immigration and Refugee Politics3 cr
  POL 325Civil Liberties and Civil Rights3 cr
  HWC 304Foundations of Human Rights and Social Justice3 cr
  HWC 361Anti-Rcist Prct: Undrstndng Whte Frgility/Blck Rge3 cr
  At least 3 from AFS 340, AFS 325, AFS 350, AFS 373, AFH 380, AFS 382, AFS 392.
- Choose 2 courses
  AFS 477Qualitative & Mixed Methods3 cr
  AFS 487Research in Africana Studies0–3 cr
  AFH 487Research in Africana Studies0–3 cr
- AFS 459Write Effectively in Africana Studies0 cr
Health and Disease in Africa and the African Diaspora
All of
- Social Action Project: the topic must be approved by the Undergraduate Director.
- Internship Requirement: serve an internship in an organisation in Long Island or the Greater New York City area.
- All of
  AFS 101Themes in the Black Experience I3 cr
  AFS 102Themes in the Black Experience II3 cr
- Choose 1 course
  AFH 206Great Books of the Black Experience3 cr
  AFH 249African-American Literature and Music in the 19th and 20th Centuries3 cr
  AFH 329Pan-African Literature I3 cr
  AFH 330Pan-African Literature II3 cr
  AFH 368Caribbean and American Connections in Literature3 cr
  AFH 382Black Women's Literature of the African Diaspora3 cr
  AFH 385French Caribbean Literature3 cr
  AFH 391Topics in Africana Studies3 cr
  AFH 423Africana Literature in French3 cr
- Choose 1 course
  AFS 221Introduction to Modern African History3 cr
  AFS 239Introduction to the Caribbean Experience3 cr
  AFS 240Issues in Caribbean Society3 cr
  AFS 277The Modern Color Line3 cr
  AFS 365Global Africa3 cr
  AFS 372African-American Political Thought3 cr
- Choose 1 course
  AFS 300Blacks in the City3 cr
  AFS 310American Attitudes Toward Race3 cr
  AFS 319The Politics of Race3 cr
  AFS 325Civil Rights and Black Power3 cr
  AFS 339Recent African American History3 cr
  AFS 350Black Women and Social Change: A Cross-Cultural Perspective3 cr
  AFS 360African-American Social Commentary3 cr
  AFS 363The Black Experience in Mass Media3 cr
  AFS 370The African-American Family3 cr
  AFS 375Slavery3 cr
  AFS 392The Black Power Movement3 cr
  AFS 394Black Nationalism in America3 cr
- Choose 1 course
  AFH 379Philosophy of Race (III)3 cr
  AFS 345Culture and Gender: Women in Africa and the Caribbean3 cr
  AFS 337The Politics of Africa3 cr
  AFH 339Arts of the African Diaspora3 cr
  AFS 346Political and Social History of Africa3 cr
- Of the four area courses, two must be selected from 200-level courses and two must be upper-division courses at the 300 or 400 level.
- Choose 5 courses
  AFS 368Health and Disease in Africa3 cr
  AFS 381AIDS, Race, and Gender in the Black Community3 cr
  AFS 374Environment and Development in African History3 cr
  SOC 200Medicine and Society3 cr
  SOC 339Sociology of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse3 cr
  SOC 393Special Topics in Health, Medicine, and Social Change3 cr
  HIS 293Disease in American History3 cr
  WST 394Special Topics in Medicine, Reproduction, and Gender3 cr
  At least 3 from AFS 368, AFS 381, AFS 374.
- Choose 2 courses
  AFS 477Qualitative & Mixed Methods3 cr
  AFS 487Research in Africana Studies0–3 cr
  AFH 487Research in Africana Studies0–3 cr
- AFS 459Write Effectively in Africana Studies0 cr

Catalog text

Students select from an Interdisciplinary concentration, a concentration in Human Rights and Social Justice, and a concentration in Health and Disease. All courses for the major, except those graded S/U, must be passed with a letter grade of C or higher.

2.Total credits and upper-division credits

Completion of the major requires 39 credits, including at least 21 upper-division credits (from courses numbered 300 or higher).

Catalog text

Completion of the major requires 39 credits, including at least 21 upper-division credits (from courses numbered 300 or higher).

3.Directed readings and independent study limit

Only six credits of directed readings or independent study courses (courses numbered 447 and 487) may be used toward the major.

Catalog text

Only six credits of directed readings or independent study courses (courses numbered 447 and 487) may be used toward the major.

4.Transfer student upper-division residency

Transfer students must take at least 12 credits of upper-division Africana Studies courses in residence at Stony Brook to complete the AFS major.

Catalog text

Transfer students must take at least 12 credits of upper-division Africana Studies courses in residence at Stony Brook to complete the AFS major.

5.200-level courses before junior year

Students must take at least two 200-level courses in Africana Studies prior to beginning their junior year.

Catalog text

Students must take at least two 200-level courses in Africana Studies prior to beginning their junior year.

Sample schedule

Year 1 · Fall17 cr

First Year Seminar 1011
WRT 101Introductory Writing Workshop3
AFS 101Themes in the Black Experience I3
SBC4
SBC3
Elective3

Year 1 · Spring16 cr

First Year Seminar 1021
WRT 102Intermediate Writing Workshop3
AFS 102Themes in the Black Experience II3
SBC3
SBC3
Elective3

Year 2 · Fall15 cr

Course from Area A3
SBC3
SBC3
SBC3
Elective3

Year 2 · Spring15 cr

Course from Area A3
SBC3
SBC3
Elective3
Elective3

Year 3 · Fall15 cr

AFH 447/AFS 447/AFH 487 or AFS 4873
Course from Area B3
Course in related discipline3
Course from Area C3
SBC3

Year 3 · Spring15 cr

Course from Area B3
Course in related discipline3
Course from Area C3
Upper-division elective3
SBC3

Year 4 · Fall15 cr

Course from Area D3
Course in related discipline3
SBC3
SBC3
SBC3
AFS 459Write Effectively in Africana Studies0

Year 4 · Spring15 cr

Course from Area D3
Course in related discipline3
SBC3
Elective3
Elective3

Program rules

Minimum grade
C or higher in requirement 1.

Notes

Advising: The concentration (Interdisciplinary, Human Rights & Social Justice, or Health & Disease) does not appear on the Stony Brook transcript; students should confirm their choice with an advisor.
Advising: Courses in the related-discipline slots of the sample sequence may not be crosslisted with AFH or AFS. Courses crosslisted with another department may be taken under either designator for credit, but not repeated under the other.
Note: AFS 283, AFS 475, AFS 476, AFS 488, AFH 475, and AFH 476 may not be used to fulfill major requirements. AFS 283 may be taken for S/U credit (Community Service with the BlackWorld newspaper option) but does not count toward the major.
Advising: Students are recommended, but not required, to take AFS 491 - Interdisciplinary Seminar in Africana Studies.
Note: Africana Studies Honors Program: departmental majors with a minimum G.P.A. of 3.33 in Africana Studies courses as specified in the major requirements and an overall G.P.A. of 3.0 may enroll at the beginning of their senior year. Not evaluated here.
Advising: Students may pursue minors of particular interest: Anthropology (ANT), Economics, BA (ECO), English (EGL), Health, Medicine, and Society (HMS), History (HIS), Philosophy (PHI), Political Science (POL).