Pan-African Studies Curriculum Options

The Department of Pan-African Studies offers an undergraduate major leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree and a minor in the College of Arts and Sciences. DPAS major and minor course sequences are structured to provide an in-depth study of history, language, philosophy, education, literature, art, music, science, sociology, and other subjects as they relate to peoples of African descent throughout the world. These courses also expose students to theoretical, practical, and domestic and national issues facing African-Americans. Students are encouraged to use their intellectual skills to bring about better organization and development within the African-American community.

Students majoring in any field – from Business or Education to the Humanities and Fine and Professional Arts – are encouraged to consider Pan-African Studies as a minor. A minor in Pan-African Studies often enhances the employability of students who major in other fields.

The PAS curriculum include courses which cover a broad spectrum of the Pan-African experience. Its purpose is to provide students with basic information and questions that will lead to further research, study, and analysis. The curriculum seeks also to investigate African connections and influences among other ethnic groups, particularly Native American Students and SALSA, and to what extent these may be reciprocal.

 

Courses

Elemantary Kiswahili / Kiswahili III / African World Creative Writing / Intro to African Arts / Black Experience I & II / Honors Black Experience / Caribbean Studies / African & African American Philosophy / Practicum:African Theatre Arts / African American Family / The Black Woman / Ancient African Cultures / Latinos in American Society / African American Sociology Political Economic Systems / Afro-American Affairs Practicum / Research Methods In Pan-African Studies / Jazz Images in Africa / ST: Black Theatre / ST: African Literature / ST: Black Autobiography / ST: Black Images / ST: Legacy of Slavery / Gendsexuality in African Diapora / ST: Cultural Expressions I & II / Native American Studies / Theoretical Approach to Pan-African Studies / ST: Pan-African Women's Lit / Selected Topics / ST: Black Film / Individual Investigation

 

Career Options in Pan-African Studies

Students majoring in Pan-African Studies have career options similar to students with baccalaureate degrees in other areas of the Humanities and Social Sciences. Careers in civil service, law, business, psychology, music, entertainment, telecommunications, human resources, counseling, sales, securities, international marketing, non-profit organizations, and others are all attainable. Increasingly, our alumni are finding career opportunities specific to the discipline itself. Such opportunities are most common in social, cultural, and educational organizations, as well as in business and international initiatives that concern people of color. Other PAS graduates choose to pursue graduate degrees in various disciplines, as well as in African and African-American Studies.

If you have questions regarding the Pan-African Studies curriculum, please call the PAS office at 330-672-2300 to schedule a meeting with an adviser.