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Mission

African American Studies is an interdisciplinary academic pursuit that explores and elucidates the lived experiences of African descendant people in the United States and globally. The African American Studies program ultimately seeks to equip the next generation of academic scholars, activists, and leaders. We align our endeavor with the original Black Studies mission to document black life, produce rigorous academic research, challenge students to think critically and engage with the broader community about the role African descendant peoples have played in US nation building and world making beyond its borders.

Program Goals

  1. Ensure students receive an appropriate grounding in the field’s major themes and can place these themes in a historical context and use the knowledge to address the social science issues of race, racism, and inequality in African Americans’ lives.
  2. Develop students’ critical, analytical, research, writing, and oral skills.
  3. Emphasize the importance of diverse perspectives and intersecting identities in understanding the lives of African Americans.
  4. Promote civic and community engagement activities among students and faculty to enhance African American communities.

Students in the JB Coleman Library

Students and Affiliated Faculty
Coming Soon!

Scholar's Voices Seminar with Paula Giddings

Career Pathways in AAS
Coming Soon!

Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies

The African American Studies (AAS) program at Prairie View A&M University prepares students for careers in areas including, but not limited to, education, public service, public history, higher education and student affairs, archival research, media, law, policy advocacy and digital content creation.  The AAS program encourages critical thinking, enhanced communication, and practical skills in applied research and analysis.

Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies Program Requirements

Core Curriculum 1 42
Foreign Language Requirements (One Language) 6
Major Requirements
AFAM 1301 Race Class and Gender in America 3
AFAM 2302 Introduction to Research Methods and Writing in African American Studies 3
AFAM 4301 Seminar in African American Studies 3
AFAM 4302 Internship in Public History 3
HIST 2381 African-American History 3
HIST 3301 Introduction to Public History 3
Restricted Electives
Area I Social Sciences (Select Two) 6
Communication, Globalization, International Media
Minorities and the Criminal Justice System
Human Development: Life Span
African American Philosophy
Gandhi and King
African Politics
Political Resistance and Social Change
Race, Gender and Public Policy
Sociology of Minorities
Black Families
Multicultural Issues in Mental Health
Human and Cultural Diversity Social Work
Area II Humanities and Arts (Select Two) 6
African American Art
African American Theatre II
Introduction to African Literature
Survey of African-American Literature
Studies in African-American Literature
Women in History
American Chattel Slavery
Civil Rights Movement
Atlantic World
Colonial Latin Amer & Carrib
African Diaspora
African-American Hist to 1876
African-Amer Hist Since 1876
Survey of Mexican-American Culture
Area III Historical and Cultural Preservation (Select Two) 6
Fundamentals of Digital Imaging
Fundamentals of Interactive Media
Introduction to Geographic Information System
Intro to Historical Methods
African American Urban Life
Cultural Sociology
Upper-Level Elective (Select Two) 1 6
Unrestricted Electives 12
Minor 2 18
Total Hours 120

1Students may choose a 3000 or 4000-level elective in any of the three areas.

Total SCH for minors may vary; please consult your academic advisor.

NOTE:  Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in all classes pertaining to their major and in those required in the support area and unrestricted electives. Furthermore, a minimum grade of “C” is required in the minor area (if applicable).