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Africana Studies
Study the legacy of Africa and Africa Diaspora (Africa south of the Sahara, the Caribbean, and Latin America) and dig deeper into other issues concerning race and class.
About the Major
Students earn a Bachelor of Arts degree with an interdisciplinary curriculum that includes courses in literature, history, religion, political science, sociology, women's and gender studies, psychology and film. Courses are designed to allow students to study different cultural and intellectual traditions that offer unique historical and critical perspectives toward American culture. Popular courses include Black Film History, African American Literature and The Black Woman. Students learn methodologies for studying cultures, critical thinking and writing skills necessary to succeed in professional endeavors.
A major in Africana Studies consists of 27 semester hours.
About the Minor
For student considering a minor in Africana Studies the degree consists of 15 hours.
Departmental Honors
Majors may earn Honors in Africana Studies by fulfilling the following requirements:
- Attain a grade point average of 3.50 in the major
- Complete a research thesis under the direction of an Honors advisor
- Have the thesis approved by a faculty committee consisting of three instructors who are formally affiliated with Program
Outreach & Engaged Learning
- African Diaspora Day
- W.E.B. Du Bois Lecture Series
- Students also have the opportunity to study abroad in Senegal and Ghana.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Opportunities for student research are offered throughout the course of study. Advanced students have the opportunity to conduct a "Supervised Practical Research: A Field Project" where the student attempts to solve a limited problem in human relations by use of knowledge gained in course-work and by employment of existing community resources and agencies.
The Senior Seminar in Africana Studies is the exit requirement for all majors and is open to all minors and other students with senior standing in the College of Liberal Arts. Emphasizing supervised research projects, the seminar enables students to compare methodologies and perspectives, to examine specific problems in Africana Students and to sharpen their skills as researchers and writers.
Beyond Mercer
Africana Studies students experiences after graduation include some of the following:
- Graduate school in areas such as African American Studies, English, Political Science, History, Religious Studies/Seminary
- Law school
- Community agencies
- International agencies
- Teaching at the secondary and college-level