two students walking outside a building on campus

African American and African Diaspora Studies, Minor

Study Plan

To obtain the optional minor in African American and African Diaspora Studies (AAADS), a student must complete at least 15 hours of designated AAADS coursework, including both required and elective courses. Electives must be taken in at least two disciplines, and at least 6 hours of electives must be at the upper-division level. These courses should include AD 200 Introduction to Critical Race & Ethnic Studies. The minor will be supervised by the director of the AAADS program or a member of the AAADS advisory board. Students may complete the minor in two ways. They may

  • submit a study plan consisting of coursework formally identified as counting toward the AAADS minor, or
  • develop a study plan to request alternate coursework be accepted toward the minor.

The minor plans will be reviewed by the director of the program and advisory board to ensure the program learning outcomes are met. Students wishing to complete the minor must submit their study plan for approval before completing coursework in the minor.

Required Courses

AD 200Introduction to Critical Race & Ethnic Studies3
One of the following courses:3
African-American History
Civil Rights Movement
Modern Africa, c. 1700-Present
Peoples and Cultures of Africa
Electives that may count toward the minor include but are not limited to:9
Peoples and Cultures of Africa
Art of Africa
African-American History
Civil Rights Movement
Modern Africa, c. 1700-Present
Multicultural Issues
Minorities & The Media
Special Topics
Approved directed readings or independent studies
Total Hours15

 Please note that, while the classes above all require prerequisites, these prerequisites will be waived for students pursuing this minor program.

AD 199  Special Topics in African American and African Diaspora Studies  (3)  

Topics will vary from semester to semester and will be announced in advance. May be taken for more than one semester. Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor

AD 200  Introduction to Critical Race & Ethnic Studies  (3)  

This course provides students with foundational knowledge of Critical Race Theory as a lens to understand race and ethnicity as socially, culturally, and historically constructed realities that sustain unequal distribution of political and socioeconomic power and inform constructions of identity and community. Students will gain skills to work toward an anti-racist and socially just society. Prerequisite: None.

(General Ed Social Science. Global Citizenship Ethics Div.)  

AD 299  Special Topics in African American and African Diaspora Studies  (3)  

Topics will vary from semester to semester and will be announced in advance. May be taken for more than one semester. Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor

AD 395  Directed Study in African American and African Diaspora Studies  (1-3)  

Directed readings and individualized research program on a subject relevant to African American and African Diaspora Studies and with the guidance of a professor. May be taken for more than one semester. Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor and approval of the AAADS Director.

AD 397  Internship in AAADS  (1-3)  

A program for junior/senior–level undergraduates offered in cooperation with a local or state agency with the supervision of faculty and/or the AAADS Director. Prerequisite: Approval of the AAADS Director.

AD 399  Special Topics in African American and African Diaspora Studies  (3)  

Topics will vary from semester to semester and will be announced in advance. May be taken for more than one semester. Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor