Currently Offered Courses - Fall 2025

AFRO 100 - Intro to African American St

Interdisciplinary introduction to the basic concepts and literature in the disciplines covered by African American studies; surveys the major approaches to the study of African Americans across several academic disciplines including economics, education, psychology, literature, political science, sociology and others.

AFRO 101 - Black America, 1619-Present

Sociohistorical survey of African American experiences from the West African background to North America, from the 17th century to the present. Same as HIST 174.

AFRO 132 - African American Music

Survey of African American music, from its origins to the present with a focus on understanding details of musical performance and the ways in which music interacts with its social and political context. Examines genres such as spirituals, the blues, jazz, R&B, soul, and hip-hop. No previous musical background is necessary.

AFRO 199 - Undergraduate Open Seminar

May be repeated.

AFRO 201 - US Racial & Ethnic Politics

Same as AAS 201, LLS 201, and PS 201. See PS 201.

AFRO 215 - US Citizenship Comparatively

Same as AAS 215, AIS 295, GWS 215, and LLS 215. See AAS 215.

AFRO 220 - Intro to Research Methods AfAm

Introduction to various methodologies to be employed in the interdisciplinary field of African American/Africana studies. Prerequisite: AFRO 100.

AFRO 227 - Studies in Black Television

Explores topics in black television in order to a) analyze the economic and political factors that lead to successful series; b) historicize black television of the Diaspora, including the U.S., Caribbean, UK, Canada, and Nigeria; c) identify conventions and define a "black aesthetic;" d) determine how black series in one genre (such as sitcoms or dramas) aid in mapping other genres; and e) discuss how these series navigate stereotypes and cultural shifts. Same as MACS 227.

AFRO 228 - Hip Hop Music: History and Culture

A study of hip-hop from its beginnings in the post-industrial South Bronx of the 1970s to the global present. By focusing on the work of specific artists and movements, we will compare and contrast the production and consumption of hip-hop with other forms of popular music (including jazz, rock, disco, and pop). This course shows how musicians and listeners use hip-hop to express ideas about topics such as economics, nationalism, black power, feminism, and violence.

AFRO 234 - Black Religious Imaginations

Same as REL 234. See REL 234.

AFRO 259 - Early African American Literature and Culture

Same as CWL 259 and ENGL 259. See ENGL 259.

AFRO 281 - Constructing Race in America

Same as AAS 281, HIST 281, and LLS 281. See HIST 281.

AFRO 310 - Race and Cultural Diversity

Same as AAS 310, EPOL 310, and LLS 310. See EPOL 310.

AFRO 312 - Psychology of Race & Ethnicity

Same as PSYC 312. See PSYC 312.

AFRO 340 - Dancing Black Popular Culture

Same as DANC 340. See DANC 340.

AFRO 341 - Gov & Pol in Africa

Same as PS 341. See PS 341.

AFRO 383 - Hist of Blk Women's Activism

Examination of the history of twentieth century black women's activism, specifically concerned with how African American female activists have been critical to building, sustaining and leading black freedom movements. Same as GWS 383 and HIST 383. Prerequisite: AFRO 100 or AFRO 101 or AFRO 103 or consent of instructor.

AFRO 398 - Spec Topics Afro-Am Studies

Advanced seminar on selected topics with particular emphasis on current research trends. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Prerequisite: Junior status and one of the following: AFRO 224, or HIST 275 or HIST 276, or ENGL 259 or ENGL 260.

AFRO 400 - African Diasporic Thought in the Caribbean

Critical examination of the contributions of intellectuals of African descent in the Caribbean and its global circuits. Major streams of social/political thought, cultural analysis, and artistic expression from across the region and its diasporas are analyzed within post- and de-colonial theoretical frameworks. Dialogues with Caribbeanists and thinkers from other parts of the world will also be considered. Same as CWL 400. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite: AFRO 261 or consent of instructor.

AFRO 421 - Racial and Ethnic Families

Same as EPOL 410, and HDFS 424. See EPOL 410.

AFRO 460 - Slavery in the United States

Examination of slavery in the U.S. using primary sources (slave narratives, songs and tales, plantation records, laws and newspapers) from the 18th century through emancipation. Same as HIST 482. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite: AFRO 100 or AFRO 101 and one 300-level AFRO course.

AFRO 465 - Race, Sex, and Deviance

Same as AAS 465, GWS 465, and LLS 465. See LLS 465.

AFRO 474 - The Black Liberation Movement, 1955-Present

An interdisciplinary exploration of the Black Liberation Movement (BLM) from the years 1955 to present, with emphasis on the last high tide of Black struggle in the turbulent 1960s. The course examines the different waves of the BLM and the strategies used by the BLM, namely “freedom, justice, equality” or integration, “self-determination” or Black nationalism, and “social transformation” or socialism. Same as HIST 478. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite: AFRO 101, HIST 276, or consent of instructor. Junior, Senior, or Graduate standing.

AFRO 490 - Theory in African American St

Introduction to various theories and methodologies rising out of the study of the Black world based on African American intellectual traditions. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite: AFRO 100 and one additional 400-level AFRO course, or consent of instructor.

AFRO 498 - Spec Topics African Am Studies

Seminar on selected topics with particular emphasis on current research trends. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated up to a maximum of 6 undergraduate hours or 8 graduate hours. Prerequisite: Upper level AFRO course (300 or above) or consent of instructor.

AFRO 500 - Core Probs African-Am Studies

Introduction for grad students to the central concepts, theories, methodologies, and paradigms in Black Studies. Students will also be introduced to the key critical scholars, seminal works and emerging trends in Black Studies. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.