African-American Studies

Interim Director: Dr. Portia Adams

The African American Studies program at Bradley University engages students in the interdisciplinary study of African-American cultures and the transnational history of the black experience.   This minor emphasizes African-American political, social, cultural, literary, and intellectual expression and the variety and scope of African American Studies as a discipline. The minor offers two possible tracks to completion, one accentuating community engagement and the other stressing research and writing.

Minor in African-American Studies (15 Credit Hours)

Course requirements:

• 3 hours of introductory course work (AAS 200: Introduction to African American Studies)
• 9 hours of electives drawn from the list below (minimum of 6 hours at the 300 level or above)
• Completion of one of two 3 hour capstone experiences:
  • Research and writing track: complete AAS 400: Directed Research in African American Studies under the supervision of program faculty
  • Community Engagement track: complete an approved internship, service-learning project, or other approved program of community engagement administered under the course title AAS 401 (or another approved community engagement course pending approval of the AAS committee). Capstone projects for the community engagement track must be approved in advanced by the AAS committee and will culminate in a presentation to the committee and/or other appropriate audience.

Elective Courses:

AAS 100: Introductory Topics in African American Studies

ENG 129: Introduction to African-American Literature

HIS 201: Violence, Crime, and Punishment

MUS 202: History of Jazz

ETE 280: Exploring Diversity

AAS 300: Advanced Topics in African American Studies

SOC 313: Race, Ethnicity, and Power

ENG 329: Studies in African-American Literature

HIS 316: African-American History Since 1877

SOC 312: Social Inequality/Sociological Perspectives on Race, Class, and Gender

A 2.5 grade point average in African American Studies courses is required for satisfactory completion of the minor.