AFAM Major and Minor & African Studies Minor Learning Outcome

African and African American Studies:

The Department of African and African American Studies (AAAS) offers a major and minor in AAAS, as well as a minor in African Studies. The major prepares students to become global citizens, scholars, and socially-minded thinkers and solvers sensitive to the demands of an increasingly diverse America and the world. It fulfills key components of Fordham University’s vision, educating students as leaders for justice and cultivating an inclusive community. The major equips students with both knowledge and skills for graduate study and careers in various fields, including law, academia, education, policy, government and politics, international organizations, journalism, and public service.

Major Requirements:

• Completion of a minimum of nine one-semester courses offered by the department at the Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses.
• Required courses include African History, Caribbean History, and African American History.
• Two additional required courses include “Being and Becoming - Black in the Atlantic World” and a senior research seminar in the senior year.
• Four elective courses chosen from cross-listed courses in English and, literary studies, history, art and music history, women, gender, and sexuality studies, media and communications, and political science.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon graduation, students will have achieved the following curricular goals:

• Develop a critically-informed understanding of major themes and debates in African and African American complex histories.
• Gain knowledge in interdisciplinary approaches necessary for understanding the
  diverse histories, cultures, and experiences of African and African American peoples.
• Acquire conversance in multiple research methods relevant to the study of African and African American studies, including historical, literary, anthropological, sociological, and linguistic approaches.
• Develop critical skills in articulating and interpreting past and contemporary knowledge about African and African American histories and cultures.
• Acquire a foundation in critical thinking and problem solving, research, writing, and analytical skills essential for liberal arts education and well-rounded outlook on the world.

Minor Requirements:

• Completion of a minimum of six one-semester courses offered by the department on the Lincoln Center or Rose Hill campuses.
• Required courses: one African History Course, one African American History Course, and four Elective Courses.
• Elective courses chosen from cross-listed courses in English and literary studies,
  history, art and music history, women, gender, and sexuality studies, media and
  communications, and political science.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon graduation, students will have achieved the following curricular goals:

• Gain knowledge in interdisciplinary approaches necessary for understanding the
  diverse histories, cultures, and experiences of African and African American peoples.
• Develop critical skills in articulating and interpreting past and contemporary knowledge about African and African American cultures.

African Studies Minor:

The African Studies Minor provides unique opportunities for students to develop expertise in African political and social history, literatures, sociology, economics, women, gender, and sexuality studies, among others. It also offers language learning opportunities and interaction and networking among New York City’s diverse African population.

Requirements:

• Completion of six courses, including one required course Understanding Historical Change Africa (AFAM 1600).
• Five elective courses are required, including at least one course in social sciences, one course in arts and humanities, and three general African studies courses.
• Additionally, students must demonstrate proficiency through the intermediate level in a language spoken on the African continent other than English.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon graduation, students will have achieved the following curricular goals:

• Develop an understanding of major themes and debates in African studies.
  Gain knowledge in interdisciplinary approaches necessary for understanding the diverse histories, cultures, and experiences of African peoples.
• Acquire critical skills in multiple research methods relevant to the study of past and contemporary African societies and cultures.
• Develop a foundation in critical thinking and problem solving, research, writing, and analytical skills essential for the field.
• Develop proficiency in some indigenous and foreign languages spoken on the African continent.