African American Studies

African American Studies

The African-American Studies Department instructs students in the culture and history of the African-American people, to promote better communication and understanding among the peoples of our diverse society. Topics of study include early and modern African-American history, as well as modern sociological concerns.

In our cross-disciplinary courses you will learn about the history and experience of the African American people, from their origins to present day. We will discuss the transversality between race and other social or cultural identities confronting peoples of the African Diaspora, including issues of ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, and class. You will also learn about the history, culture and experiences of African people throughout the globe, and the contributions they have made to the development of world civilizations.

  • Recognize the transversality between race and other social or cultural identities confronting peoples of the African Diaspora, including issues of ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, and class.
  • Develop a clear understanding of the richness and complexity of the interdisciplinary scholarship in African American Studies.
  • Respect for the culture, values, and belief systems of the global community of individuals and groups; understand the commonalities among members of the human race while also understanding how concepts such as race, gender, culture, ethnicity and religion introduce real and contrived differences between and among groups.
  • Articulate the acquisition of a solid knowledge-base in the history, culture, and experiences of African people around the globe, and the contributions they have made to the development of world civilizations.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) may be assessed using:

  • Surveys
  • Questionnaires
  • Review of collected data
  • Other methods

Pursuing a degree in history presents employment opportunities in a variety of different career areas. The need for teachers in the state of California for elementary, middle, and high schools remains high and college graduates with a history degree will find opportunities well suited for opportunities to earn teaching credentials in a variety of subjects. The research and writing skills needed to successfully complete a degree of history also offer excellent preparation for careers in law, journalism, public relations, and domestic and foreign government service.