African and African American Studies, BA

You'll study the cultural and intellectual contributions of major African and African American scholars and observe the critical movements for change throughout history. Taking a wider view, you'll also grasp the struggles and successes of Africans throughout the Diaspora, and gain knowledge on human rights issues and ways to improve quality of life.

At UM-Dearborn, we believe in learning by doing. You’ll develop research and writing skills through independent research projects under the guidance of faculty members. These projects often relate to critical social issues, offering you experiential learning opportunities that build both expertise and empathy.

More hands-on experiences are available in UM-Dearborn’s internship, research, and study abroad programs. Check out the pages for these programs, and talk to your professors to learn more.

Students completing the African and African American Studies degree will acquire knowledge concerning the following:

• The continuities of beliefs, cultural principles and structures, customs and practices of everyday life that link continental African cultures and African diasporan cultures.
• The major developments of African American history from the American colonial period to the present; the canon texts and central thinkers in African and African American intellectual history, as well as the relation of this historical legacy to the emergence of the discipline of African and African American Studies.
• The cultural production and achievements of Africans and African Americans in the visual and performing arts and literature.
• The critical role played by African and African American labor in the U.S. and European economies, from the slave trade to the contemporary global economy.
• The significant role of the family, multiple religious and spiritual practices, and the Black Church, in sustaining African American communities.
• The social, political and economic difficulties and prejudices faced by other marginalized sectors of U.S. society.
• The value of achieving an international and global consciousness to function effectively in the 21st Century.

In addition, AAAS majors will be able to demonstrate:

• Analysis of the progress, setbacks, important movements and the contributions of major leaders in African American and diasporan historical development.
• Ability to draw connections between contemporary African American social problems (e.g. the wide­ scale poverty characteristic of African American urban communities), their historic roots, and relevant hegemonic policies and practices.
• Competence in research methods, oral presentation and expository writing.

The minor or integrative studies concentration consists of 15 credits of upper-level courses in African and African American Studies (AAAS). An introductory course is required; you select the rest.

Minors are not automatically granted. Once you finish the required courses, you must declare the minor on a form that you submit to the CASL Advising and Academic Success office.