This interdisciplinary major provides students with vital writing, research, and communication skills. The curriculum emphasizes anthropology, mass communications, education, English, history, linguistics, political science, psychology, religion, and sociology. The program also includes courses that emphasize US-Canadian, US-Caribbean, and US-African relations and assists students in finding internships for college credit and in applying for study abroad programs.

After obtaining a degree in African-American studies, students can seek careers as archivists, attorneys, civil rights professionals, community organizers, government employees, librarians, public policy professionals, professors, teachers, and researchers. Graduates will also be prepared to enter graduate programs in African-American studies and other liberal arts fields, professional degree programs, and teacher-training programs.

Coursework for the Major

The major requires 30 credits of coursework in African-American studies core and elective courses. All coursework must be completed with minimum grades of C. A minimum of 15 credits of coursework in the major must be completed at UF. Core and elective courses are often cross-listed with other departments, enabling students to examine the African-American experience from a variety of disciplines.

Required Coursework

The same course may not be used to meet two different requirements.

Overseas Study

The African-American Studies Program currently sponsors one study abroad course. This is a two-credit African Americans in Paris course that is offered during the spring semester, and includes the study of the African-American cultural, historical and political experience in Paris, France. Students travel to Paris during spring break.

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements: Structure of a CLAS Degree.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 2

• Complete AFA 2000
• 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 3

• Complete AFA 3110
• 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 4

• Complete AFA-prefix course at 3000 level or above
• Complete AFA-prefix course or AFA-approved course.
• 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 5

• Complete AFA-prefix or AFA-approved course
• 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 6

• Complete AFA-prefix course at 3000 level or above
• Complete AFA-prefix course or AFA-approved course
• Complete applied, experiential, or research methods course
• 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 7

• Complete AFA-prefix course or AFA-approved course
• 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 8

• Complete AFA 4936
•  2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Students are expected to complete the writing requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

AFA-Approved Courses

Many of the non-AFA courses listed below will have cross-listed AFA sections available. Please review the African-American studies course offerings each semester.

The African-American Studies program’s mission closely resembles that of the university, emphasizing exceptional teaching, outstanding scholarly research and service to the campus and the larger Gainesville community. The primary emphasis is to educate students about the theories and methodologies pertaining to the study of African-Americans. Students will be able to compare and contrast the experiences of people of African descent in the U.S. to those in the wider African Diaspora. They also will learn through participation in community-service activities. Program graduates will develop the academic, scholarly and experiential skills needed to succeed at the next level of study in the field, for they will be well-trained in critical thinking, analysis and effective communication.

Before Graduating Students Must

• Satisfactory evaluation of paper written for the African-American Studies approved topic, graded according to department rubric.
• Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Content

1. Identify, describe and explain the theories in African American Studies and the African Diaspora.

Critical Thinking

2. Examine social issues of concern to African Americans.

Communication

3. Effectively articulate ideas in speech and in writing.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Assessment Types

• Assignments
• Exams
• Papers
• Oral presentations