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African American and African Diaspora Studies

This program emerges from a rich, distinguished, and exciting past that continues to influence our present realities. The black communities in both the New and Old Worlds have been essential to the story of human history; studying these peoples in all forms and consequences is a foundational moral and educational necessity.

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Why Major in African American and African Diaspora Studies?

Professors and artists from BOOMscat speak to students

The African American and African Diaspora Studies program offers a rigorous interdisciplinary curriculum that provides students with an understanding of the historical and contemporary realities of African-descended peoples in the United States and across the diaspora. Students explore Black social movements and race politics, racial ideologies and critical race theory, and the distinctive artistic, literary, cultural practices of African peoples worldwide.

BA AFAM Studies

 

Why Minor in African American and African Diaspora Studies?

A minor in African American and African Diaspora Studies will add depth to your major and program of studies. Six of the eighteen credits in a minor in AFAM may be cross-counted towards another major or minor. Consult your advisor and course catalog before declaring/registering.

Minor AFAM Studies

Plan Out Your Degree

Sample 4-year plan for the BA in African American and African Diaspora Studies.

Students smile in the audience of the BOOMscat performance

Semester One

AUx1
Complex Problem
Written Communication and Information Literacy I (W1)
Quantitative Literacy I (Q1)
Habits of Mind

Semester Two

AUx2
Habits of Mind
Written Communication and Information Literacy I

Semester Three

AFAM-200 African Americans in the Diaspora
HIST-208 African-American History: to 1877 and/or LIT-225 African Literature
Habits of Mind

Semester Four

HIST-209 African-American History: 1877 to Present and/or LIT-235 African-American Literature
Habits of Mind

Semester Five

Study Abroad and/or internship

Semester Six

CRGC-360 W2

Semester Seven

Quantitative Literacy II (Q2)

Semester Eight

CRGC-460 Capstone

Announcements

Professor Sybil Roberts Williams is the playwright for “The Black Flute,” a work produced by the IN-Series opera company and made into a film which was screened on the National Mall October 8. “Black Flute” reimagines Mozart’s classic work “Magic Flute” in DC’s historically Black neighborhoods and explores what it means to be young, black, and gifted in today’s world.

Statement in Solidarity with Anti-Racist Efforts from CRGC

The faculty of the Department of Critical Race, Gender, and Culture Studies join with protesters across the world to denounce police brutality and systemic anti-Black violence. 

Read the full statement