Mission
African American Studies is an interdisciplinary academic pursuit that explores and elucidates the lived experiences of African descendant people in the United States and globally. The African American Studies program ultimately seeks to equip the next generation of academic scholars, activists, and leaders. We align our endeavor with the original Black Studies mission to document black life, produce rigorous academic research, challenge students to think critically and engage with the broader community about the role African descendant peoples have played in US nation building and world making beyond its borders.
Program Goals
- Ensure students receive an appropriate grounding in the field’s major themes and can place these themes in a historical context and use the knowledge to address the social science issues of race, racism, and inequality in African Americans’ lives.
- Develop students’ critical, analytical, research, writing, and oral skills.
- Emphasize the importance of diverse perspectives and intersecting identities in understanding the lives of African Americans.
- Promote civic and community engagement activities among students and faculty to enhance African American communities.
Students and Affiliated Faculty
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Career Pathways in AAS
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Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies
The African American Studies (AAS) program at Prairie View A&M University prepares students for careers in areas including, but not limited to, education, public service, public history, higher education and student affairs, archival research, media, law, policy advocacy and digital content creation. The AAS program encourages critical thinking, enhanced communication, and practical skills in applied research and analysis.
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Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies Program Requirements
| Core Curriculum 1 | 42 | |
| Foreign Language Requirements (One Language) | 6 | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| AFAM 1301 | Race Class and Gender in America | 3 |
| AFAM 2302 | Introduction to Research Methods and Writing in African American Studies | 3 |
| AFAM 4301 | Seminar in African American Studies | 3 |
| AFAM 4302 | Internship in Public History | 3 |
| HIST 2381 | African-American History | 3 |
| HIST 3301 | Introduction to Public History | 3 |
| Restricted Electives | ||
| Area I Social Sciences (Select Two) | 6 | |
| Communication, Globalization, International Media | ||
| Minorities and the Criminal Justice System | ||
| Human Development: Life Span | ||
| African American Philosophy | ||
| Gandhi and King | ||
| African Politics | ||
| Political Resistance and Social Change | ||
| Race, Gender and Public Policy | ||
| Sociology of Minorities | ||
| Black Families | ||
| Multicultural Issues in Mental Health | ||
| Human and Cultural Diversity Social Work | ||
| Area II Humanities and Arts (Select Two) | 6 | |
| African American Art | ||
| African American Theatre II | ||
| Introduction to African Literature | ||
| Survey of African-American Literature | ||
| Studies in African-American Literature | ||
| Women in History | ||
| American Chattel Slavery | ||
| Civil Rights Movement | ||
| Atlantic World | ||
| Colonial Latin Amer & Carrib | ||
| African Diaspora | ||
| African-American History to 1876 | ||
| African-American History Since 1876 | ||
| Survey of Mexican-American Culture | ||
| Area III Historical and Cultural Preservation (Select Two) | 6 | |
| Fundamentals of Digital Imaging | ||
| Fundamentals of Interactive Media | ||
| Introduction to Geographic Information System | ||
| Intro to Historical Methods | ||
| African American Urban Life | ||
| Cultural Sociology | ||
| Upper-Level Elective (Select Two) 1 | 6 | |
| Unrestricted Electives | 12 | |
| Minor 2 | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
1Students may choose a 3000 or 4000-level elective in any of the three areas.
2 Total SCH for minors may vary; please consult your academic advisor.
NOTE: Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in all classes pertaining to their major and in those required in the support area and unrestricted electives. Furthermore, a minimum grade of “C” is required in the minor area (if applicable).