African Studies - Minor

The African Studies minor provides a broad familiarity with African history, culture and contemporary problems. Study in this program may be coordinated with relevant language study through Pan-African Studies.

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Program Information for African Studies - Minor

Coursework

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Program Requirements

Minor Requirements

Minor Requirements
Minor Electives, choose from the following:18
AFS 15200
INTRODUCTION TO WEST AFRICAN CULTURES
AFS 22200
INTRODUCTION TO THE AFRICAN ARTS
AFS 32050
AFRICAN LITERATURES (DIVG)
AFS 34000
INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN WORLD VIEW (DIVG)
AFS 37020
THE MODEL AFRICAN UNION (ELR)
AFS 37100
AFRICANA WOMEN’S LITERATURE (DIVG)
AFS 44095
SPECIAL TOPICS IN CONTEMPORARY AFRICA
ANTH 48150
RELIGION: A SEARCH FOR A MEANING
ARAB 11101
ELEMENTARY ARABIC I
ARAB 11102
ELEMENTARY ARABIC II
ARTH 42025
ART OF WEST AFRICA (DIVG)
ECON 42075
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS
ECON 42076
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
GEOG 31070
POPULATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT
GEOG 37040
GEOGRAPHY OF AFRICA (DIVG)
GEOG 41073
CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES
GEOG 44010
GEOGRAPHIES OF GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT
HIST 31130
HISTORY OF PRE-COLONIAL AFRICA TO 1880
HIST 31131
HISTORY OF COLONIAL AFRICA, 1880-1994
MCLS 30420
FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND CULTURE STUDIES
MUS 42111
AFRICAN MUSIC AND CULTURES
POL 30540
AFRICAN POLITICS (DIVG)
POL 30840
NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
POL 40530
POLITICS OF WAR
POL 40560
HUMAN RIGHTS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE (DIVG)
Minimum Total Credit Hours:18

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Minor GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.000 2.000
  • Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be upper-division coursework (30000 and 40000 level).
  • Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be outside of the course requirements for any major or other minor the student is pursuing.
  • Minimum 50 percent of the total credit hours for the minor must be taken at Kent State (in residence).
Admissions for African Studies - Minor

Admissions

Admission Requirements

Admission to a minor is open to students declared in a bachelor’s degree, the A.A.B. or A.A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree (not Individualized Program major). Students declared only in the A.A. or A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree in Individualized Program may not declare a minor. Students may not pursue a minor and a major in the same discipline.

Program Delivery

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Africana Studies - Minor

The Africana Studies minor introduces students to the experiences and accomplishments of people of African descent, wherever they may be throughout the world. The minor complements majors that prepare students to work in areas such as education, law, law enforcement, public service, social work, research, foreign service, business and community development.

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Program Information for Africana Studies - Minor

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Understand the historical experiences of people of African descent.
  2. Interact with diverse communities and be informed and engaged global citizens.
  3. Relate current political and social issues facing the Africana world to global historical events.
  4. Read, analyze and critically articulate the contemporary socioeconomic, political and cultural issues facing people of African descent.

Admissions for Africana Studies - Minor

Admissions

Admission Requirements

Admission to a minor is open to students declared in a bachelor’s degree, the A.A.B. or A.A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree (not Individualized Program major). Students declared only in the A.A. or A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree in Individualized Program may not declare a minor. Students may not pursue a minor and a major in the same discipline.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Minor Requirements

Minor Requirements
AFS 23001BLACK EXPERIENCE I: BEGINNINGS TO 1865 (DIVG) (KHUM) 3
or AFS 23002 BLACK EXPERIENCE II: 1865 TO PRESENT (DIVD) (KHUM)
AFS 37001THEORETICAL APPROACHES TO AFRICANA STUDIES 3
Arts and Culture Electives, choose from the following:6
AFS 20001
INTRODUCTION TO AFRICANA STUDIES
AFS 20300
BLACK IMAGES
AFS 30001
CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS I
AFS 30310
BLACK HOLLYWOOD
AFS 30311
HIP HOP: THE SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC INFLUENCES
AFS 37100
AFRICANA WOMEN’S LITERATURE (DIVG)
or ENG 33013
 AFRICANA WOMEN'S LITERATURE (DIVG)
Thematic Area Elective, choose from the following:3
AFS 26010
BLACK LIVES MATTER: THE CONTINUED STRUGGLE FOR BLACK LIBERATION
AFS 37000
ORAL AND WRITTEN DISCOURSES IN AFRICANA STUDIES (WIC)
AFS 37150
SECRET AND MAROON SOCIETIES IN THE STRUGGLE AGAINST THE INSTITUTION OF SLAVERY
AFS 47100
RACE, GENDER AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
Minimum Total Credit Hours:15

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Minor GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.000 2.000
  • Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be upper-division coursework (30000 and 40000 level).
  • Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be outside of the course requirements for any major or other minor the student is pursuing.
  • Minimum 50 percent of the total credit hours for the minor must be taken at Kent State (in residence).
Program Delivery

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Africana Studies - B.A.

Explore the rich history and culture of Africa and the African diaspora with Kent State University's Africana Studies program. Develop a deep understanding of the social, cultural and political issues that have shaped the African world.

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Program Information for Africana Studies - B.A.

Program Description

Program Description

Full Description

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Africana Studies offers an in-depth exploration of the histories, cultures and experiences of people of African descent across the globe. The program provides students with interdisciplinary knowledge in areas such as African history, politics, literature and social movements, fostering a critical understanding of African and African diasporic contributions to global society. Through a blend of theoretical and practical study, the program prepares graduates for careers in education, public service, international relations and cultural advocacy, while also laying the groundwork for advanced academic pursuits.

Admissions for Africana Studies - B.A.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of proficiency of the English language (unless they meet specific exceptions) through the submission of an English language proficiency test score or by completing English language classes at Kent State’s English as a Second Language Center before entering their program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students who have not attended another institution since Kent State and were not academically dismissed will complete the re-enrollment process through the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center. Former students who attended another college or university since leaving Kent State must apply for admissions as a transfer or post-undergraduate student.

Transfer Students: Students who attended an educational institution after graduating from high school or earning their GED must apply as transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog's Academic Policies.

Students may be required to meet certain criteria to progress in their program. Any progression requirements will be listed on the program's Coursework tab

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Understand the historical experiences of people of African descent at the advanced level of the core.
  2. Interact with diverse communities and be informed and engaged global citizens.
  3. Relate current political and social issues facing the Africana world to global historical events.
  4. Read, analyze and critically articulate the contemporary socioeconomic, political and cultural issues facing people of African descent.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
AFS 20300BLACK IMAGES 3
AFS 23001BLACK EXPERIENCE I: BEGINNINGS TO 1865 (DIVG) (KHUM) 3
AFS 23002BLACK EXPERIENCE II: 1865 TO PRESENT (DIVD) (KHUM) 3
AFS 37000ORAL AND WRITTEN DISCOURSES IN AFRICANA STUDIES (WIC) 13
AFS 37001THEORETICAL APPROACHES TO AFRICANA STUDIES 3
AFS 37010RESEARCH METHODS IN AFRICANA STUDIES (ELR) 3
AFS 47144BLACK SOCIAL AND POLITICAL THOUGHT 3
Major Electives, choose from the following:12
AFS 22200
INTRODUCTION TO THE AFRICAN ARTS
AFS 24407
INTRODUCTION TO CARIBBEAN STUDIES (DIVG)
AFS 26010
BLACK LIVES MATTER: THE CONTINUED STRUGGLE FOR BLACK LIBERATION
AFS 30001
CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS I
AFS 30310
BLACK HOLLYWOOD
AFS 30311
HIP HOP: THE SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC INFLUENCES
AFS 32001
AFRICAN-AMERICAN LITERATURE TO 1900
or ENG 33010
 AFRICAN-AMERICAN LITERATURE TO 1900
AFS 33110
BLACK WOMEN, CULTURE AND SOCIETY: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES (DIVD)
AFS 33120
THE BLACK MAN: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES
AFS 33130
GENDER AND SEXUALITY IN AFRICA AND THE AFRICAN DIASPORA
AFS 33310
AFRO-LATINX COMMUNITIES IN THE U.S. (DIVD)
AFS 34000
INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN WORLD VIEW (DIVG)
AFS 37100
AFRICANA WOMEN’S LITERATURE (DIVG)
or ENG 33013
 AFRICANA WOMEN'S LITERATURE (DIVG)
AFS 37150
SECRET AND MAROON SOCIETIES IN THE STRUGGLE AGAINST THE INSTITUTION OF SLAVERY
AFS 43095
SPECIAL TOPICS IN PAN-AFRICAN LITERATURE, ARTS AND CULTURES
AFS 47100
RACE, GENDER AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
AFS 47122
SEMINAR IN ACTIVISM AND SOCIAL CHANGE
PACS 30000
MAY 4 1970 AND ITS AFTERMATH
or POL 30000
 MAY 4 1970 AND ITS AFTERMATH
WMST 30001
ARENAS FOR FEMINIST THOUGHT: TOUCHY SUBJECTS, UNSETTLED MATTERS AND FEMINIST RESPONSE-ABILITY
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
UC 10001FLASHES 101 1
Foreign Language (see Foreign Language College Requirement below)10-16
Kent Core Composition6
Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning3
Kent Core Fine Arts3
Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines)6
Kent Core Basic Sciences (must include one laboratory)6-7
Kent Core Additional6
General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours)46
Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
1

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.000 2.000

Foreign Language College Requirement, B.A.

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Arts and Sciences must complete the following:

  1. Elementary I and II of any language (or equivalent) and
  2. One of the following options:
    1. Intermediate I and II of the same language
    2. Elementary I and II of a second language
    3. Any combination of two courses from the following list:
      1. Intermediate I of the same language
      2. One to two college-level course(s) completed outside the United States
      3. Courses: ARAB 21401, ASL 19401, CHIN 25421, MCLS 10001, MCLS 20001, MCLS 20091, MCLS 21417, MCLS 21420, MCLS 22217, MCLS 28403, MCLS 28404

All students with prior foreign language experience should take the foreign language placement test to determine the appropriate level at which to start. Some students may start beyond the Elementary I level and will complete the requirement with fewer courses. This may be accomplished in one of three ways:

  1. Passing a course beyond Elementary I through Intermediate II level
  2. Receiving credit through one of the alternative credit programs offered by Kent State University
  3. Demonstrating language proficiency comparable to Elementary II of a foreign language

Certain programs may require specific languages, limit the languages from which a student may choose or require coursework through Intermediate II. Students who plan to pursue graduate study may need a particular language proficiency.

Roadmap

Roadmap

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
AFS 20300 BLACK IMAGES 3
AFS 23001 BLACK EXPERIENCE I: BEGINNINGS TO 1865 (DIVG) (KHUM) 3
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
Foreign Language 4
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Two
AFS 23002 BLACK EXPERIENCE II: 1865 TO PRESENT (DIVD) (KHUM) 3
Foreign Language 4
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
General Elective 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Three
Major Elective 3
Foreign Language and/or General Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Four
Major Elective 3
Foreign Language and/or General Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Five
AFS 37001 THEORETICAL APPROACHES TO AFRICANA STUDIES 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
General Electives 9
 Credit Hours15
Semester Six
AFS 37000 ORAL AND WRITTEN DISCOURSES IN AFRICANA STUDIES (WIC) 3
Major Electives 6
General Electives 6
 Credit Hours15
Semester Seven
AFS 37010 RESEARCH METHODS IN AFRICANA STUDIES (ELR) 3
General Electives 12
 Credit Hours15
Semester Eight
AFS 47144 BLACK SOCIAL AND POLITICAL THOUGHT 3
General Electives 12
 Credit Hours15
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:120

Program Delivery

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Africana Studies - B.A.

Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary

4.9%

about as fast as the average

13,400

number of jobs

$78,840

potential earnings

Social services
International areas
Business
Education
Arts and communication
Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
Students to Continue Coverage of East Palestine Train Derailment With Support of Grant
College of Communication & Information

Photo of East Palestine cloud of smoke

Kent State student journalists will continue to report on the aftermath of the Feb. 3 East Palestine train derailment disaster, with support from a grant from Grist and the Center for Rural Strategies. The organizations recently awarded $100,000 to newsrooms and freelance journalists around the country to carry out rural reporting projects, and Kent State’s Collaborative NewsLab was one of 15 recipients. With the grant’s support, four journalism students will report on stories that investigate long-term issues related to the hazardous chemicals and hazardous waste disposal, and how such eve...

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