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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 more thorough 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?
This 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, they have been organized into a more comprehensive curriculum.
Faculty
African American studies is interdisciplinary, drawing cooperating faculty from communication studies, health and sport studies, history, journalism and mass communication, religious studies, rhetoric, sociology, and theatre arts.
Course
Work
To earn a BA with a major in African American studies, students must complete 33 semester hours (s.h.) of course work in the major. Majors are required to complete two introductory courses as a foundation for the study of African American studies: Introduction to African American Society and Introduction to African American Culture.
These courses include readings in political science, religion, history, sociology, geography, and anthropology, and readings in African American cultural studies, including literature, music, film studies, religious studies, and the visual and performing arts. Students will also take 15 s.h. of courses in five topical areas:
- History
- Social inequality, social movements, and politics
- Literature
- Media and performing arts
- Africa and the diaspora
In addition, African American studies majors must select 9 s.h. of elective course work.
During their final year, all majors take the Senior Seminar. The course requires an original research paper on the historical or contemporary experiences of people of African descent in the United States or the global diaspora.
Minor
Students may earn a minor in African American studies by completing 15 s.h. of course work with a minimum grade-point average of 2.00. In addition to an introductory course, students minoring in African American studies take one course from each of the following areas: history; social inequality, social movements, and politics; literature; and media and the performing arts.
Student
Activities
The University has a rich tradition of diversity in activities and offerings across campus. The African American Studies Program sponsors activities to enrich the community’s social, cultural, and intellectual experiences. One of these activities is Darwin Turner Action Theatre, a social outreach group that focuses on African American dramatic literature.
Majors are encouraged to use the University’s calendar of events and offices of campus-wide activities to select 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.
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 that will promote interracial understanding. The center features programs and services to meet the needs of black students, including conferences, workshops, forums, film series, and discussion groups; private rooms for confidential consultations; study areas; computers; a library; employment listings; and social areas.
Honors
The honors program in African American studies offers students the opportunity to pursue special interests in individual, in-depth research. To graduate with honors, students in African American studies must be members of the University of Iowa Honors Program, complete a research project under the guidance of the supervising faculty member, and present the results to a committee of faculty members.
Study Abroad
In cooperation with the University’s study abroad program, the department posts notices of study abroad opportunities. Interuniversity links with universities in Africa, the Caribbean, South America, and Mexico give students the chance to study in those areas. In addition, there are opportunities offered through a variety of study abroad programs administered by the UI Office for Study Abroad.
Careers
The BA in African American studies provides valuable background for many students seeking careers in 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
Refer
to the Office of Student Financial Aid for
a complete list of available scholarships.
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