Academics

Academics

The Africana Studies curriculum is designed to produce thinkers who are creative, entrepreneurial, sharp, innovative, and up to the task for creating a better world, in line with the University’s mission. Students will come out of the program well prepared in critical thinking, effective communication, and diverse research methods. As an intellectual project, Africana Studies argues that the thought and philosophies of Black people provide an understanding of complex societal structures, spanning centuries (prior to the creation of biological constructs of race) and traversing as many geographies as the people of the African diaspora have. The program is dedicated to teaching and researching in Black people’s thought and epistemologies in these areas and promises to train students in areas applicable to post-undergraduate life.

Why Major in Africana Studies?

Majors in Africana Studies will learn a variety of skills that are highly sought by graduate schools and professions. Africana majors and minors will learn to:

  • integrate research tools and methods from a range of disciplines in order to study the history, politics, cultures, art, literatures, and experiences of people in Africa and the African diaspora;
  • compare and contrast histories and cultures of Black peoples across the globe;
  • evaluate and interpret primary and secondary source materials;
  • express themselves effectively in writing and oral presentations;
  • identify and communicate the importance of Africa and the African diaspora to an increasingly global, diverse and interconnected world;
  • analyze and critique representations of people or cultures of Africa and the African diaspora;
  • and design, execute, and present an original research project.

A degree in Africana Studies will open a wealth of interesting and exciting career opportunities in many areas including: Art, Community Involvement, Law and Criminal Justice, Media, Medicine and Health, Politics, Public Policy, Theatre and Dance, and many more!

Feel free to contact Prof. Ernest McGowen (emcgowen@richmond.edu) or one of the Advisory Board members to discuss more about the program.

Major & Minor Requirements
Upcoming Courses