The Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies is no longer accepting new students. The following information is provided for reference only. If you are interested in African American studies, please contact us.
Earn your BA in African American Studies
The Bachelor of Arts with a major in African American studies requires a minimum of 120 semester hours, including at least 30 semester hours of work for the major. Students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.00 in all courses for the major and in all UI courses for the major. They also must complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences GE CLAS Core. Transfer credit is evaluated individually and is limited to a maximum of 9 semester hours.
Students also have the opportunity to pursue special interests and individual in-depth research to graduate with honors in the program.
The major provides valuable background for careers in a diverse society, in areas such as community work, public school teaching, religion, government, political science, and law. Some graduates go on to advanced study, many preparing for work as teachers and administrators at colleges and universities.
Requirements
Students are required to complete following two introductory courses:
- AFAM:1020/AMST:1030–Introduction to African American Culture
- AFAM:1030–Introduction to African American Society
In addition to the two required introductory courses, all students must complete at least two courses from each of the following topical areas (minimum of 18 semester hours): literature and performing arts; history, religion, and the diaspora; and media, politics, and social institutions. Through consultation with an African American studies advisor, additional courses may be approved for the topical areas.
Students also must take two elective courses (minimum of 6 semester hours) selected from the three topical areas listed previously. With the approval of an African American studies advisor, students may substitute relevant courses offered by other departments for one or both electives; the substituted courses may not be cross-referenced with African American studies. Students must gain the advisor's approval before enrolling in a substitute course.
The following are the general categories of coursework required to earn the degree; for more specific information on courses, curriculum, and requirements of the Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies, visit the UI General Catalog.
Coursework requirements
| Title | Hours |
|---|---|
| Introductory Courses | 6 |
| African American Studies Core | 18 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Total Hours | 30 |
Create your academic path
You'll find degree overviews, requirements, course lists, academic plans, and more to help you plan your education and explore your possibilities.
Current course list
The MyUI Schedule displays registered courses for a particular session and is available to enrolled students. The list view includes course instructors, time and location, and features to drop courses or change sections.