The Department of African American Studies offers you an opportunity to study Black history, culture, and society in interdisciplinary models that reconstruct African American life. It challenges you to critically examine facts and issues that are historically and contemporaneously relevant to the African American experience. Faculty members and students are active in a broad range of activities, including hip-hop programs for at-risk youth, college classes for low-income adults, the Prison Education Initiative, and the Public History Project. The department prides itself on positive working relationships with our colleagues in other disciplines, including the departments of Gender and Women’s Studies, African Cultural Studies, English, History, and the School of Education.
The department is committed to bringing academic research to the broadest possible audience, with the belief that the deepest understanding of the complex reality of race in America requires a truly interdisciplinary approach, one that draws on history and literature, the social sciences, and the arts. Course options for the African American Studies major include “Introduction to Black Women Writers,” “Race and American Politics from the New Deal to the New Right,” “Hip-Hop and Contemporary American Society,” "Blacks, Film, and Society," “Afrofuturism and Popular Culture,” "Introduction to African American Art," “Black Street Culture,” “Traditions in African American Humor,” “Slavery and Capitalism,” and “Black Women's Political Behavior.”
African American Studies students gain deeper insight into ongoing racial inequality and social justice, helping them be more informed and empathetic when addressing issues of equity in their future careers. Students will graduate prepared to interact effectively in a multicultural world and workplaces and to share the results of academic research in the area of race with their communities.
How to Get in
Students should inform the Department of African American Studies office of their intention to major and be assigned an advisor within the department.
University General Education Requirements
All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below. Consult your advisor for assistance, as needed. For additional information, see the university Undergraduate General Education Requirements section of the Guide.
| General Education |
* The mortarboard symbol appears before the title of any course that fulfills one of the Communication Part A or Part B, Ethnic Studies, or Quantitative Reasoning Part A or Part B requirements. |
College of Letters & Science Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Letters & Science must complete all of the requirements below. The College of Letters & Science allows this major to be paired with either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree requirements.
Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements
| Mathematics | Complete two courses of 3+ credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level in MATH, COMP SCI, or STAT subjects. A maximum of one course in each of COMP SCI and STAT subjects counts toward this requirement. |
| Language | Complete the third unit of a language other than English. |
| L&S Breadth | Complete: • 12 credits of Humanities, which must include at least 6 credits of Literature; and • 12 credits of Social Science; and • 12 credits of Natural Science, which must include 6 credits of Biological Science and 6 credits of Physical Science. |
| Liberal Arts and Science Coursework | Complete at least 108 credits. |
| Depth of Intermediate/Advanced Coursework | Complete at least 60 credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level. |
| Major | Declare and complete at least one major. |
| Total Credits | Complete at least 120 credits. |
| UW-Madison Experience | Complete both: • 30 credits in residence, overall, and • 30 credits in residence after the 86th credit. |
| Quality of Work | • 2.000 in all coursework at UW–Madison • 2.000 in Intermediate/Advanced level coursework at UW–Madison |
Non–L&S students pursuing an L&S major
Non–L&S students who have permission from their school/college to pursue an additional major within L&S only need to fulfill the major requirements. They do not need to complete the L&S Degree Requirements above.
Requirements for the Major
The major in African American Studies requires a minimum of 30 credits. 15 credits must be numbered 300 and above. Students must take 2 courses from each of the four areas listed below:
- Literature;
- History and Society;
- Arts and Culture;
- Seminars and Advanced Courses; and Electives.
Literature
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Two Courses From: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Black Women Writers | ||
| Introduction to African American Dramatic Literature | ||
| Masterpieces of African American Literature | ||
| African-American Autobiography | ||
| The Harlem Renaissance | ||
| The Black Arts Movement | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |
History and Society
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Two Courses From: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Contemporary Afro-American Society | ||
| Introduction to African American History | ||
| Race and American Politics from the New Deal to the New Right | ||
| Afro-American History Since 1900 | ||
| African American History to 1900 | ||
| Black Women in America: Reconstruction to the Present | ||
| Race and Gender in Post-World War II U.S. Society | ||
| Slavery, Civil War, and Reconstruction, 1848-1877 | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Arts and Culture
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Two Courses From | 6 | |
| Hip-Hop and Contemporary American Society | ||
| Black Music and American Cultural History | ||
| Introduction to African Art and Architecture | ||
| Introduction to Afro-American Art | ||
| Artistic/Cultural Images of Black Women | ||
| Blacks, Film, and Society | ||
| Art and Visual Culture: Women of the African Diaspora and Africa | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Seminars and Advanced Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Two Courses From | 6 | |
| African American Women's Activism (19th & 20th Centuries) | ||
| Gender, Race and the Civil Rights Movement | ||
| History of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States | ||
| Colloquium in Afro-American History | ||
AFROAMER 669 | ||
| Selected Topics in Afro-American History | ||
| Selected Topics in Afro-American Literature | ||
| Selected Topics in Afro-American Society | ||
| Selected Topics in Afro-American Culture | ||
| Critical and Theoretical Perspectives in Black Women's Writings | ||
AFROAMER 679 | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Two Courses From | 6 | |
| Introduction to Comparative US Ethnic and American Indian Studies | ||
| They: Race in American Literature | ||
| Introduction to Black Women's Studies | ||
| Selected Topics in African American Culture | ||
| African and African-American Linkages: An Introduction | ||
| Undergraduate Studies in Afro-American History | ||
| Cultural Cross Currents: West African Dance/Music in the Americas | ||
| Gender, Race and Class: Women in U.S. History | ||
| Black Feminisms | ||
| The Caribbean and its Diasporas | ||
AFROAMER 456 | ||
AFROAMER 469 | ||
| African American Political Theory | ||
| Race, American Medicine and Public Health | ||
| History of African American Education | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Residence and Quality Of Work in the Major
- 2.000 GPA in all AFROAMER and major courses
- 2.000 GPA on at least 15 credits of upper-level work in the major, in residence2
- 15 credits in AFROAMER, taken on the UW–Madison campus
- 2
Upper-level in the major includes AFROAMER courses numbered 300 and above and courses that count for the major that are designated as Intermediate or Advanced level.
Honors in the Major
Students may declare Honors in the African American Studies Major in consultation with the African American Studies undergraduate advisor(s).
Honors in the African American Studies Major Requirements
To earn Honors in the Major in African American Studies, students must satisfy both the requirements for the major (above) and the following additional requirements:
- 3.300 University GPA
- 3.500 GPA in all AFROAMER courses, and all courses accepted in the major
- Complete at least one course with a cross-cultural or comparative focus:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AFROAMER/ART HIST 241 | Introduction to African Art and Architecture | 3 |
| AFROAMER/ANTHRO/C&E SOC/GEOG/HISTORY/LACIS/POLI SCI/SOC/SPANISH 260 | Latin America: An Introduction | 3-4 |
| AFROAMER/AFRICAN/ANTHRO/GEOG/HISTORY/POLI SCI/SOC 277 | Africa: An Introductory Survey | 4 |
| AFROAMER/AFRICAN/HISTORY/POLI SCI 297 | African and African-American Linkages: An Introduction | 4 |
| AFROAMER/HISTORY 347 | The Caribbean and its Diasporas | 3 |
| AFROAMER/AFRICAN 413 | Contemporary African and Caribbean Drama | 3-4 |
- Complete at least 15 credits in AFROAMER in courses numbered 500-599 or 600-699, to include a two-semester Senior Honors Thesis in AFROAMER 681 and AFROAMER 682, for a total of 6 credits.
University Degree Requirements
| Total Degree | To receive a bachelor's degree from UW–Madison, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 degree credits. Students should consult with their college or department advisor for information on specific credit requirements. |
| Residency | Degree candidates are required to earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at UW–Madison. "In residence" means on the UW–Madison campus with an undergraduate degree classification. “In residence” credit also includes UW–Madison courses offered in distance or online formats and credits earned in UW–Madison Study Abroad/Study Away programs. |
| Quality of Work | Undergraduate students must maintain the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, or academic program to remain in good academic standing. Students whose academic performance drops below these minimum thresholds will be placed on academic probation. |
Learning Outcomes
- Familiar with the history, culture and social conditions of African Americans in the United States and, secondarily, in the African diaspora.
- Prepared to interact effectively in a multicultural world.
- Prepared to share the results of academic research in the area of race with their communities in Wisconsin, the U.S., and the world.
- Prepared for careers working in institutions that address the needs of multicultural communities.
- Develop an understanding of the connection between different disciplinary approaches to the study of race.
Four-Year Plan
This Four-Year Plan is only one way a student may complete an L&S degree with this major. Many factors can affect student degree planning, including placement scores, credit for transferred courses, credits earned by examination, and individual scholarly interests. In addition, many students have commitments (e.g., athletics, honors, research, student organizations, study abroad, work and volunteer experiences) that necessitate they adjust their plans accordingly. Informed students engage in their own unique Wisconsin Experience by consulting their academic advisors, Guide, DARS, and Course Search & Enroll for assistance making and adjusting their plan.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Communication-A (complete during your first year) | 3 | AFROAMER major course | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning-A (complete during your first year) | 3 | AFROAMER major course (Literature)2 | 3 |
| Foreign Language | 4 | AFROAMER elective (Ethnic Studies)3 | 3 |
| AFROAMER Arts & Culture course1 | 3 | AFROAMER major course (History & Society)4 | 3 |
| Elective (eg. SEED = 1 credit) | 1-3 | Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Quantitative Reasoning-B | 4 | Communication-B | 3-4 |
| INTER-LS 210 (Elective) | 1 | AFROAMER major course numbered 300-above (History & Society) | 3 |
| AFROAMER major course (Arts & Culture) | 3 | Physical Science Breadth | 3 |
| Biological Science Breadth | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Declare the Major (before 86 credits)4 | AFROAMER major course numbered 300-higher (Literature) | 3 | |
| I/A Comp Sci, Math or Stats (if required for BS) | 3 | AFROAMER major course numbered 300-higher | 3 |
| AFROAMER major course numbered 300 and higher | 3 | Science Breadth | 3 |
| Science Breadth | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| AFROAMER seminar | 3 | AFROAMER Seminar | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
- 1
Many AFROAMER courses from Arts & Culture carry Humanities breadth and will also meet the L&S Breadth requirement for Humanities (up to 6 credits).
- 2
AFROAMER literature courses will satisfy the L&S Literature Breadth requirement (6 credits of Literature course work).
- 3
Nearly all AFROAMER courses carry the Ethnic Studies (ESR) designation and will apply to General Education and the major. Students should complete ESR within first 60 credits.
- 4
Many AFROAMER courses in History & Society will carry Social Science Breadth and also meet the L&S Breadth requirements for Social Science (12 credits) course work.
- 5
Students must declare a major by the time they reach 86 credits.
Advising and Careers
Declare or cancel this major
Please contact the undergraduate advisor, Anthony Black (anthony.black@wisc.edu).
SuccessWorks
SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps you turn the academic skills learned in your classes into a fulfilling life, guiding you every step of the way to securing jobs, internships, or admission to graduate school.
Through one-on-one career advising, events, and resources, you can explore career options, build valuable internship and research experience, and connect with supportive alumni and employers who open doors of opportunity.
- What you can do with your major (Major Skills & Outcomes Sheets)
- Make a career advising appointment
- Learn about internships and internship funding
- Try “Jobs, Internships, & How to Get Them,” an interactive guide in Canvas for enrolled UW–Madison students