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African and African American Studies
School of Humanities & Sciences
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  4. African And African American Studies
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Minor

Minor
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Program Minimum Units
35 Units
University Minimum Units
18 Units
Interests
Studying the Past, Government, Politics & Current Events, Human Rights, Literature & Culture
Academic Areas
Social Sciences

Overview

The Department of African and African American Studies (DAAAS) equips students with the skills to understand how Africa and its diasporas are distinct worlds, yet bound by history and in constant conversation. The DAAAS major takes both African and diasporic worlds seriously, exploring the diversity of African and African-descended experiences while tracing the connections that link them. Our courses examine how African and African-descended peoples helped build the modern world and how they will shape what comes next - from global politics and artificial intelligence to cultural and artistic innovation. Students learn to think rigorously about the evolving meanings of identity, power, freedom, creativity, innovation, and social responsibility in an interconnected world. Graduates of DAAAS pursue careers in law and public policy, the arts, media, business, medicine, education, science and technology, and public service. 

Requirements

Program Requirements

African American Studies

Complete all of the following course(s):
AFRICAAM 101A

African American Studies

5 Units

Foundations of African Studies OR Foundations of African American Studies

Earn at least 5 units in the following course(s):
AFRICAAM 145B

Foundations of African Studies

5 Units
AFRICAAM 104

Foundations of African American Studies

5 Units

Breadth

Two courses are selected to create a more comprehensive understanding of the field of African and African American Studies, including geographical diversity and methodological diversity, marrying creativity and critical thinking. At least one course must be within DAAAS. 

Complete all of the following requirements:
Creative Practice
Complete at least 1 and earn at least 5 units in the following course(s):
AFRICAAM 136

Black Creativity in New Orleans: Art, Culture, and Creating Futures

4 Units
AFRICAAM 162

Black Lens/Black Lines: Cinematic Movement

3-4 Units
AFRICAAM 135

Empathy in Black Art and Literature

3 Units
AFRICAAM 114

Techniques in Poetry: The Historic Hinge

5 Units
AFRICAAM 42

Clothing and Black Expressive Culture in African American History

3-5 Units
and
Complete any of the following requirements:
Africa-focused Courses
Complete at least 1 and earn at least 5 units in the following course(s):
AFRICAAM 161

African Philosophy: Past, Present and Future

4 Units
AFRICAAM 198

AI and African Archives

3-5 Units
AFRICAAM 263

Decolonizing African Epistemology in the Era of AI

4 Units
or
Americas-focused Courses
Complete at least 1 and earn at least 5 units in the following course(s):
AFRICAAM 214

To Live for the People: Black Public History in the Bay Area

4-5 Units
AFRICAAM 274

Copyright, IP, and AI in Popular Music

3 Units
AFRICAAM 136

Black Creativity in New Orleans: Art, Culture, and Creating Futures

4 Units
AFRICAAM 42

Clothing and Black Expressive Culture in African American History

3-5 Units
AFRICAAM 212

How We Free Us: Activism and Community

4 Units

Depth

Three courses and a minimum of 15 units must be selected from one of our three thematic clusters. Two of the courses must be DAAAS courses; students will work with the SSO to select the one remaining course if outside of DAAAS. 

Complete any of the following requirements:
Cultures and Arts
Complete at least 2 of the following courses:
AFRICAAM 180

Black Arts in Theory and Practice

3 Units
AFRICAAM 120

Writing the Mind, Writing the Body

3 Units
AFRICAAM 135

Empathy in Black Art and Literature

3 Units
AFRICAAM 113N

Foundations of American Popular Music

3 Units
AFRICAAM 42

Clothing and Black Expressive Culture in African American History

3-5 Units
AFRICAAM 262

Toni Morrison: Modernism, Postmodernism, and World Literature

3-5 Units
AFRICAAM 162

Black Lens/Black Lines: Cinematic Movement

3-4 Units
AFRICAAM 114

Techniques in Poetry: The Historic Hinge

5 Units
AFRICAAM 279

Introduction to Black Popular Culture

3-4 Units
AFRICAAM 145B

Foundations of African Studies

5 Units
AFRICAAM 104

Foundations of African American Studies

5 Units
or
Science, Technology & Society
Complete at least 2 of the following courses:
AFRICAAM 198

AI and African Archives

3-5 Units
AFRICAAM 263

Decolonizing African Epistemology in the Era of AI

4 Units
AFRICAAM 274

Copyright, IP, and AI in Popular Music

3 Units
AFRICAAM 151

Ethical STEM: Race, Justice, and Embodied Practice

4-5 Units
or
Ethical, Social, and Political Thought
Complete at least 2 of the following courses:
AFRICAAM 161

African Philosophy: Past, Present and Future

4 Units
AFRICAAM 210

Righteous Rage, Healing Justice: Contemporary Black Feminisms

3-4 Units
AFRICAAM 214

To Live for the People: Black Public History in the Bay Area

4-5 Units
AFRICAAM 212

How We Free Us: Activism and Community

4 Units
AFRICAAM 139

Black Geographies

4-5 Units