African American Studies, BA

Department Chair:

Herbert G. Ruffin II

200 Sims Hall
315-443-4302

Faculty

Joan Bryant, Horace Campbell, Linda Carty, David Kwame Dixon, Kishi Animashaun Ducre, Casarae Gibson, Janis A. Mayes, Herbert Ruffin II, S.N. Sangmpam, James G. Williams

This interdisciplinary department offers the opportunity for study, research, and community involvement in African American Studies and enables students to explore cultural, literary, historical, political, socioeconomic and other issues affecting African Americans, as well as links with continental Africa and the Caribbean. The department offers a minor and a major, leading to a B.A. degree, and enables students to specialize in the social sciences or in the humanities. Students seeking a B.A. degree in African American Studies must successfully complete AAS 112 /ANT 112 and either AAS 231 or AAS 232 before formal admission to the major.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Explain major cultural figures, texts, expression, and movements in Black Studies

2. Explain knowledge of major social and political issues in Black Studies

3. Develop knowledge of major social, cultural, & political factors that have defined the Black experience across time and/or space (Diasporic orientation)

4. Learn how race, class, gender, and/or sexualities functions within the contours of the Black experience (intersectionality)

5. Develop critical thinking skills applicable to issues in Black Studies

6. Develop ability to conceive & execute independent inquiries in Black Studies

7. Develop effective written and oral communications

Major Requirements

Prerequisites (6 credits)

All students must successfully complete two of the following courses before formal admission to the program.

Major Courses (24 credits)

At least 18 of the 24 credits required for the major in African American Studies will be in courses numbered above 299. Six of the 24 credits may be chosen from AAS 202 , AAS 233 , AAS 234 , AAS 235 , and AAS 241 . Six credits must be taken in the AAS core:

Majors must also complete six credits in an area of specialization:

Humanities Track

Choose one:

Social Sciences Track

AAS 470 - Experience Credit

And one of the following:

African American Studies

Twelve credits may be taken in additional advanced courses in African American studies chosen in consultation with the major advisor.

Humanities Track

Social Sciences Track

AAS 300 - Selected Topics in African American Studies or
AAS 400 - Selected Topics in African American Studies or
AAS 500 - Selected Topics in African American Studies
AAS 306 - African American Politics
AAS 309 - Race, Gender and Sexuality in the African Diaspora
AAS 312 - Pan Africanism
AAS 214 - Modern Africa: 1800 - Present
AAS 341 - Politics of Africa
AAS 346 - Comparative Third World Politics
AAS 353 - Sociology of the African American Experience
AAS 364 - African International Relations
AAS 365 - International Political Economy of the Third World
AAS 380 - International Course or
AAS 480 - International Course or
AAS 580 - International Course
AAS 390 - Independent Study or
AAS 490 - Independent Study or
AAS 590 - Independent Study
AAS 402 - Slavery and Abolition
AAS 410 - Seminar on Social Change
AAS 416 - Race, Crime and Punishment
AAS 427 - New York City: Black Women Domestic Workers or
AAS 627 - New York City: Black Women Domestic Workers
AAS 434 - Underground Railroad
AAS 445 - The Caribbean: Sex Workers, Transnational Capital, and Tourism or
AAS 645 - The Caribbean: Sex Workers, Transnational Capital, and Tourism
AAS 470 - Experience Credit Internship in African American Studies
AAS 501 - African American Sociological Practice:1900-45
AAS 510 - Studies in African American History
AAS 540 - Seminar:African American Studies

Study Abroad

Syracuse University Abroad offers Syracuse University credit bearing study options for students of African American Studies in locations that include Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana, and Egypt. Two summer programs are also available. They are Cultural Politics: Contemporary Brazil and Paris Noir/Black Paris: Literature, Art, and Contemporary Life in Diaspora.