Africana Studies, Bachelor of Arts

Introduction

The Africana Studies program provides the opportunity for students to study, analyze and systematically evaluate the various disciplines, e.g., history, art, and science, from an Africana perspective. The program continues to attract students from all ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds as they recognize ways that Africana Studies provides them with a forum to examine the intellectual life, the historical experience, and the cultural understanding of one of this country’s largest racial minority groups. Students electing to pursue courses in the program are entering into the current intellectual dialogue on race and multiculturalism in this society as they study with professors who have conducted notable research in African, Caribbean, Africana, and African-American Studies. Students may major or minor in Africana Studies by completing the required core and cognate courses, meeting the grade-point-average criterion, submitting a portfolio with samples of their written course work, and participating in community service activities. The Africana Studies program at Stockton University is affiliated with the National Council for Black Studies, Inc. (NCBS) and students are eligible to apply for membership in Ankh Maat Wedjau, the National Honor Society for majors and minors in Africana Studies. 

Program Organization

A diverse selection of Africana Studies (AFRI) program courses and General Studies courses are available for completion of either the major or minor. Courses are divided into core and cognate categories. Core courses are further divided into the following concentrations: general Africana Studies, history/humanities, arts/entertainment and literature, and social/political and global perspectives. Both core and cognate courses are offered each academic year. Independent study projects with interested faculty members are also available on a case-by-case basis. In addition, opportunities for study in selected African countries are possible, as are faculty-led study tours to West Africa, South Africa and historic sites across the U.S. Students interested in these travel opportunities should contact the chair of Africana Studies and the Office of Global Engagement for further details. The Africana Studies program is open to all students regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or ethnic background. 

Admission to the Program

The Africana Studies program is open to any student with an interest in the discipline.

Students wishing to major or minor in Africana Studies need to contact the chair of the Africana Studies Program or simply login to the Go Portal to complete the appropriate form. Students are encouraged to declare their intentions no later than the beginning of their junior year. Intended majors must consult with an Africana Studies faculty member, who will further explain the nature of the program and its specific requirements. 

Graduation Requirements

All transfer students must complete a minimum of 16 credits in Africana Studies courses at Stockton regardless of how many credits were accepted by the program when students transferred to Stockton. A minimum grade of C is required in all courses counted toward the 64 program credits required for graduation. 

Core Courses

All students majoring in Africana Studies are required to complete the following 4-credit core courses. 

• AFRI 1101 Introduction to Africana Studies or GSS 1092 (First Year Seminar in Africana Studies)

• AFRI 2101 Ancient African Civilizations

• AFRI 2103 The Contemporary African Diaspora

• AFRI 2124 The Institutionalization of Anti-Black Racism

• AFRI 4601 Senior Seminar or GIS 4601 African-Americans: A Seminar 

Experiential Learning Requirement – Choose One

Each of these courses offers experiential and/or service-learning opportunities through travel and/or community engagement.

• AFRI 3125 West Africa Now Study Tour

• AFRI 3132 African Americans in New Jersey

• AFRI 3143 African American Civil Rights in the US Study Tour

• GSS 2451 South Africa Now Study Tour

• SOCY 2355 Black Lives: Social and Economic Realities 

*Note: All core Africana Studies courses are open to all Stockton students. We recognize the importance of campus-wide access to Africana Studies content; therefore, we do not restrict the core courses to majors. 

The Concentrations

The program offers a general degree in Africana Studies, or a choice of one of three concentrations: History/Humanities, Arts/Entertainment & Literature, and Social/Political & Global Perspectives. Once students select a concentration, they must complete their remaining 16 credits in that area. Students opting for a general degree in Africana Studies may select courses from any concentration.  

Cognate Courses

Students are required to have six cognate courses (24 credits), in addition to their 10 major courses (40 credits). The cognate area should be comprised of guided electives that are related to your course of study and your professional goals. A minimum grade of C or better is required for all program and cognate courses to be counted toward the 64 credits required for graduation.  The approved cognate courses as outlined in Degree Works web-based tool. 

Graduation with Distinction

A Bachelor of Arts degree with distinction in Africana Studies may be awarded to the student who earns at least a 3.5 GPA in both the AFRI program, and the cognate courses taken at Stockton. Students must have also earned an overall GPA of at least 3.5.

Career Opportunities

What can a student do with a degree in Africana Studies…. Anything! Professional opportunities range from medicine to the sciences, to criminal justice, to politics, to education and entertainment. Several noteworthy individuals hold degrees in Africana Studies, including former First Lady Michelle Obama, astronaut Mae Jemison, Judge Richard W. Roberts, actress Angela Bassett and director Ava DuVernay. In sum, a professional can take their knowledge and understanding of people of African descent into any professional field to educate others and increase sensitivity and anti-racism. Our students are particularly valued in organizations that have demonstrated commitment to understanding issues of race, racism, discrimination and inequity. 

Special Opportunities

One of the most important components of Black Studies Programs, which first emerged at colleges and universities across the country in the late 1960s, is service to the community. Majors and minors in Africana Studies at Stockton University will also come to appreciate their responsibility to their communities through various projects, including, but not limited to assisting in building and preserving exhibits at the African American Heritage Museum of South Jersey; involvement in research and service projects that impact underserved communities; and programs assisting those in need who are abroad. Students will also gain opportunities to intern for various nonprofit and for-profit organizations and government agencies. 

Additional details about the curriculum are accessible on the Africana Studies website