Requirements
The African American Studies Minor consists of 18 hours of interdisciplinary coursework in African American studies. At least nine hours in the minor at the 200 level or above must be earned at the College of Charleston. To sign up for the minor, contact Dr. Conseula Francis at her office (22B Glebe, #202) or by email at francisc@cofc.edu.
Each student must complete:
AAST 200: Introduction to African American Studies
6 hours in History (HIST 216 and HIST 217)
3 hours in English (ENGL 216 or ENGL 313)
6 elective hours
The following courses count for AAST credit:
ENGL 216 Introduction to African American Literature
This class for non-majors introduces students to
major African American writers from the 18th century
to the present day.
ENGL 313 African American Literature
A survey of African American literature from the mid-
18th century to the present.
HIST 216 African American History to 1877
Beginning with the African background, this course
surveys the experience of African Americans from
the colonial era through the Civil War. Particular
attention will be devoted to the Atlantic slave trade,
the North American slave experience, free blacks,
abolitionism and the social and political implications
of the Civil War as these affected black people.
Prerequisites: HIST 101–102 or HIST 103–104.
HIST 217 African American History, 1877 to Present
This course examines the historical experience of
African Americans beginning with the period following
the Civil War and continuing until the present
time. Among the topics covered are: Reconstruction,
blacks in the New South, African American leadership,
the impact of the world wars, the consequences
of the Great Depression and New Deal and the rise of
civil rights activism.
Prerequisites: HIST 101–102 or HIST 103–104.
ANTH 322 Peoples and Cultures of Africa
A review of the major socio-cultural developments in
prehistoric and historic Africa.
Prerequisite: ANTH 101 or permission of the
instructor.
ANTH 323 African American Society and Culture
A survey of African American society and culture
beginning with the African homeland and ending
with an exploration of contemporary issues facing
New World African communities. Credit cannot be
received for both ANTH 323 and SOCY 363.
Prerequisite: ANTH 101 or permission of the
instructor.
ANTH 327 Peoples and Cultures of the Caribbean
An examination of the history of the people of the
Caribbean and the development of their diverse cultural
traditions.
Prerequisite: ANTH 101 or permission of the
instructor.
HIST 272 Pre-Colonial Africa
An introduction to the pre-colonial history of sub-
Saharan Africa. Special attention will be placed on
the growth of Islam in West Africa, the East African
city-states and kingdoms and the upheaval in 19thcentury
southern Africa. African slavery and the slave
trade also will be considered.
Prerequisites: HIST 101–102 or HIST 103–104.
HIST 273 Modern Africa
A history of the development of Africa during the
modern period, including European penetration, the
colonial era, African resistance and independence and
contemporary issues.
Prerequisites: HIST 101–102 or HIST 103–10
HIST 320 Special Topics in Low Country History
Intensive examination of a specific topic in the history
of the Lowcountry (the tidewater and the adjacent
islands between Winyah Bay and Florida). The course
will consider the European, African and Caribbean
components of Lowcountry culture. Specific topic will
be listed with the course title when offered.
Prerequisites: HIST 101–102 or HIST 103–104 or
permission of the instructor.
HIST 420 Research Seminar in Low Country History
A topical seminar focused around a central historical
problem in the history of the Lowcountry (the tidewater
and the adjacent islands between Winyah Bay
and Florida). The course will consider the European,
African, and Caribbean components of Lowcountry
culture. Specific topic will be listed with the course
title when offered.
Prerequisites: HIST 101–102 or HIST 103–104, HIST
299, juniors and seniors only, and permission of the
instructor and the department chair.
LANG 250 West African Literature in Translation
MUSC 222 Special Topics: African American Music
This course is a series of special topics courses
designed for the non-music major. Course topics
will change from semester to semester and will
remain broad so as not to require an extensive
background in music. The ability to read music is not
required. Like MUSC 131, MUSC 222 is accepted as a
humanities credit.
POLS 390 Southern Politics
Southern Politics is a comparative study of selected
political patterns and trends in the southern states
since World War II.
Prerequisite: POLS 101.
POLS 322 Politics of Africa
Politics of Africa surveys political and related economic
and social dynamics in selected African nations.
POLS 366 International Diplomacy Studies
This course investigates the structure, operation, and
prospects of international and/or regional organizations
such as the United Nations, Organization
of African Unity, Organization of American States,
Arab League, etc. The class includes participation
in international or regional organization models. A
minimum GPA of 2.5 is required for participation.
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
RELS 270 African American Religions
This course explores the diversity of African-American
religions, from African roots to the Civil Rights
Movement, from Rastafari to Buddhism, from major
Christian denominations to Voudou and Gullah folk
magic. A key concern is the way in which religious
beliefs, practices and institutions inform African-
American life and culture.
SOCY 343 Race and Ethnic Relations
SOCY 363 African American Society and Culture
THTR 316 African American Theater
The study of the role, scope, and significance of
African American theatre in modern society through
the reading of representative plays and examination
of individuals and organizations that have fostered the
development and growth in the field.
Prerequisite: junior or senior standing.