Requirements

The African American Studies Major consists of 33 credit hours of interdisciplinary coursework in which students explore African American history and culture, and race in American identities, communities, and institutions.  Courses examine U.S. race relations, early African diasporic history, African Americans expressive culture, the social, historical, political, and economic status of African Americans, and the theoretical concerns about the relationship between race and the production of knowledge.  Many courses in African American Studies may also be used to satisfy the College’s General Education requirements in the humanities and social sciences.   Students can declare the major or minor through POSM on MyCharleston.  Majors will be assigned a faculty advisor.  All minors are advised by the African American Studies Program director.

Required Courses (21 credit hours)

AAST 200 Introduction to African American Studies

AAST 250 Readings in African American Social Science Research

AAST 381 African American Studies Internship

AAST 401 Capstone in African American Studies

ENGL 216 Introduction to African American Literature or

ENGL 313 African American Literature

HIST 216 African American History to 1877

HIST 217 African American History, 1877 to present

Elective (Select 12 credit hours from the following, including at least 9 credit hours at the 300-level or above)

AAST 280 Introduction to African American Music

AAST 290 Special Topics

AAST 300 Special Topics

AAST 305 Visiting Artist Practicum

AAST 315 Black Women Writers

AAST 319 Contemporary Constructions of Black womanhood (cross-listed with ENGL 315)

AAST 330 Black Images in the Media

AAST 350 Comparative Black Identity

AAST 366 Race-Ethnic Relations

AAST 400 Independent Study

AFST 101 Introduction to African Civilization

ANTH 322 Peoples and Cultures of Africa

ANTH 323 African American Society and Culture

ANTH 327 Peoples and Cultures of the Caribbean

ENGL 313 African American Literature

HIST 211 American Urban History

HIST 304 History of the United States: Civil War and Reconstruction, 1845-1877

HIST 366 Comparative Slavery in the Americas

MGMT 351 Minority Entrepreneurship

POLI 330 Southern Politics

RELS 270 African American Religions

SOCY 337 Prejudice

THTR 316 African American Theatre

NOTE: The following special topics courses may also be taken for elective credit when they have sufficient content relevant to the major, as certified by the instructor and the Director of the African American Studies program:

AFST 202 Special Topics in African Studies

HIST 210 Special Topics in U.S. History

HIST 310 Special Topics in U.S. History

HIST 320 Special Topics in Lowcountry History

MUSC 222 Special Topics for Non-Majors

PHIL 298 Special Topics in Philosophy

RELS 298 Special Topics in Religious Studies

SOCY 349 Special Topics in Social Problems

Other departmental special topics, tutorials and independent study courses may also be counted.

 

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.

Required Courses (9 credit hours)

AAST 200 Introduction to African American Studies

ENGL 216 Introduction to African American Literature or

ENGL 313 African American Literature

HIST 216 African American History to 1877 or

HIST 217 African American History, 1877 to present

Elective (9 credit hours from the courses listed above in the Major)