Major
	African American Studies (BA) from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Minor
	African American Studies
Four-year Graduation Plan
	Yes
Honors
	Yes
Links
	Web Site Courses General Catalog

The African American Studies Program examines people of African ancestry in the North American colonies and the United States from the 17th century to today. To provide a broader view, the department also offers courses in African history and culture and features relationships of African Americans with peoples of African heritage throughout the lands in which they have settled.

• Why Choose African American Studies at Iowa?
• Faculty
• Course Work
• Student Activities
• Study Abroad
• Careers
• Scholarships

Why Choose African American Studies at Iowa?
Iowa’s program features a broad-based curriculum and faculty who specialize in a wide range of topics. Because it is a small program, there are many opportunities for individualized attention.

The department formed in 1969 with courses intended to foster awareness of African Americans’ role in the development of the United States. Courses also were designed to promote understanding of the conditions and concerns of African Americans. Since then, the curriculum has grown and has become more comprehensive.

Faculty
African American studies is interdisciplinary, drawing faculty from American studies; communication studies; education; English; gender, women's, and sexuality studies; history; journalism and mass communication; leisure studies; religious studies; rhetoric; sociology; and theatre arts.

Course Work
Students majoring in African American studies earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. The BA requires a minimum of 120 semester hours (s.h.), including 30 s.h. for the major.

You'll begin the major with two introductory courses: Foundations in African American Studies and either Introduction to African American Society (for students with a social science focus) or Introduction to African American Culture (for those with a humanities focus).

Then you'll take two courses in each of three core areas:

• History, religion, and the diaspora
• Literature and performing arts
• Media, politics, and social institutions

Finally, you'll complete 6 s.h. of elective course work.

See African American Studies in the UI General Catalog to learn more about the major and for information about graduating with honors or earning a minor in African American Studies.

Student Activities
The University has a rich tradition of diversity in activities and opportunities across campus. Students attend events such as lectures, theatre arts productions, concerts, readings, and museum exhibitions. The diversity of ideas and cultural traditions offered by these activities embraces the University’s commitment to providing a welcoming learning environment.

The African American Studies Program sponsors activities that enrich the community’s social, cultural, and intellectual experiences. One of these is Darwin Turner Action Theatre, a social outreach group that focuses on African American dramatic literature.

Also, the Afro-American Cultural Center on Melrose Avenue serves as a museum and library of educational and cultural artifacts and exhibits of black culture, providing cultural enrichment for Iowa City and knowledge aimed at promoting interracial understanding. The center features programs and services to meet the needs of African American studies majors, including conferences, workshops, forums, film series, and discussion groups; private rooms for confidential consultations; study areas; computers; a library; employment listings; and social areas.

Study Abroad
The African American Studies Program posts notices of study abroad opportunities of special interest to its students. Links with universities in Africa, the Caribbean, South America, and Mexico give you the chance to study in those areas. The UI Office for Study Abroad offers a wide variety of programs in many countries.

Careers
The African American studies 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.

Scholarships
Consult multiple sources for scholarship information, including the Office of Admissions, the Office of Student Financial Aid, and departmental web sites.