African and African-American Studies Major

Program Requirements

Total units required: 31

The minimum grade required for course work to count toward the major is a C- or better. Students may apply a maximum of 6 credits to their major that are earned through study abroad and/or transfer credits.

Required Courses

Course List
Code	Title	Units
AFAS 1002	Foundations in African & African-American Studies	1
AFAS 255	Introduction to Africana Studies	3
AFAS 401	Senior Seminar	3
Total Units		7

Elective Courses

Students must complete 24 units of electives at the 300 level or above, at least 6 units of which must be at the 400 level.

These elective units must include at least one course from each of four focus areas around which the major is organized: Language, Aesthetics and Expressive Cultures; Social and Historical Formations; Gender, Sexuality and the Body; and Engaging Africa and non-US Diaspora Currents. In addition, students should take at least three courses in one of the focus areas.

Students will also take one semester of a foreign language. Wolof and Swahili are strongly encouraged, but other languages will be considered if taken in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies.

Additional Information

Co-Curricular Opportunities for Majors

The program regularly sponsors lectures and events such as plays, film festivals, exhibits, field trips, panels, and speakers that focus on contemporary or perennial topics of interest in all areas of the Black experience. In many cases, guest lecturers and artists visit classes and interact directly with students. These program-sponsored events are designed to foster a vibrant social and intellectual community within the program and to give our students a sense of identity and of what it means to be part of the African and African-American Studies community.

Senior Honors

If a student maintains an overall grade point average of at least 3.65 and a major GPA of 3.50 by the second semester of their junior year, they may be eligible to complete a Latin honors thesis with a core faculty member in the program in African and African-American Studies. Completed application forms for Latin honors should be submitted to the honors program director as early as possible, preferably before May 1 of the junior year.

Visit the African and African-American Studies page
for additional information about this program.

Website:

https://afas.wustl.edu/