AFAM Minor Requirements

A total of 18 credit hours is required to minor in the AFAM Program. There are three (3) required courses and three (3) elective courses selected from a menu of cross-listed courses. Elective courses must come from at least two (2) different disciplines.

Required Courses (9 credits):

AFAM 200	Introduction to African and African American Studies	(3 credits)
AFAM 301	Foundations of African Civilizations	(3 credits)
AFAM 302	Foundations of Africans in the Diaspora	(3 credits)

AFAM 200: Introduction to African and African AmericaN Studies (3 credits)

Introduction to African and African American Studies is an interdisciplinary and foundational course that introduces students to the field of African and African American Studies through an overview of the socio-economic, historical, psychological, political and cultural experiences of African peoples on the continent of Africa and throughout the Diaspora. Selected teachings are designed to give students a concise understanding of the heritage of African people in America and a framework to analyze the culture and institutional arrangements which both shaped the African Diaspora and was shaped by people of African descent throughout different parts of the world. Emphasizing an African-Centered philosophy and framework of analysis, the course content and emphasis includes a focus on students' acquisition of both an analytic ability and interdisciplinary skills of investigation and research and their development of a critical and comprehensive approach to challenging traditional Western orthodoxy, intellectual hegemony, and misinformation about Africa and its peoples. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of race, class, and gender in assessing similarities and differences in the African experience throughout the Diaspora.

AFAM 301: Foundations of African Civilizations (3 credits)

This is an interdisciplinary course examining African civilizations from the prehistoric past to contemporary periods utilizing an African centered perspective. The course uniquely employs a variety of multidisciplinary perspectives and materials from history, geography, anthropology, political science, art, sociology, linguistics and other disciplines. Course content and emphasis is placed on correcting misperceptions and stereotypes of Africa while exploring the rich and varied diversity of Africa, its rich history, the fundamental cultural commonalities shared by African peoples despite the diversity, and the significance and place of African civilizations on the world scene.

AFAM 302: Foundations of Africa In The Diaspora (3 credits)

Foundations of Africans in the Diaspora is an interdisciplinary course that focuses on the history, culture and experiences of African descendants in North America, South America and the Caribbean utilizing the research and writings from history, sociology, and anthropology conducted on and by the descendants of African peoples in these geographic areas. The objectives that form the foundation of the content for this course represent several topical areas that are in keeping with the overall goals of the minor in African and African American Studies. The topical areas are aligned into units of study and include: The African Diaspora, Africans in North America, The African American experience, Africans in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Afro-Brazilian, Mexican, Columbian, Jamaican, French, Cuban experiences. Course objectives will be achieved through individual readings and study, and class activities and lectures. The methods used in this course include lectures, open discussions, seminar discussions, structured activities, and media and are designed to accommodate diverse learning styles.

AFAM 303: Global Collaborations: Cross Cultural Research in Ghana (4 credits) (Optional)

This is an intensive, short term cross-cultural exchange that provides significant experience in research and creative practices. Students will travel to Ghana, West Africa, visit key cultural and historical sites, and engage in collaborative research and/or creative projects. Course sessions at NEIU before and after travel will frame the experience.

AFAM 319/ANTH 319: Prehistory of Africa (3 credits)

Africa is the sole source of evidence for the origins of human culture. Many significant cultural developments and technological innovations occurred first in Africa. This course surveys the archaeological evidence for the origins of human behavioral patterns from the earliest hominids to the eve of European colonization of this diverse continent. Principal course themes include: the origins of human culture; the Early, Middle, and Late Stone Ages; the origins of food production and complex societies; the history of ancient kingdoms including internal growth and external influences; the impact of Islam and the European contact with Africa. This course is cross-listed in the Anthropology Program (ANTH 319).

AFAM 320/ANTH 320: Religion and Healing in Africa and the African Diaspora (3 credits)

In numerous contexts throughout Africa and the African Diaspora there are cultural institutions that bring together healing, religious practices, spirit possession, and expressive culture (including music, dance, and costume) and direct them toward resolving the bodily and social misfortunes of participants. This course will investigate variations and continuities amongst a range of examples of this cultural institution, including African independent Christian churches, Candomble, Santeria, Vodou, and the “cults of affliction” or “ngoma” of Africa, in order to understand the resilience and relevance of an institution by means of which participants both analyze and respond to the world around them. This course is cross-listed in the Anthropology Program (ANTH 320).

Electives (Cross-Listed) Courses (9 credits) chosen from any of the following:

Note: The course descriptions here are abbreviated. Please check the for full descriptions.

African and African American Studies
AFAM 303	Global Collaborations: Cross Cultural Research in Ghana
Anthropology
ANTH 224/AFAM 224 ANTH 225 ANTH 319/AFAM 319 ANTH 320 ANTH 365	Contemporary African Culture Peoples of Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean Prehistory of Africa Religion in Africa Anthropology of Islam
Art
ARTH 308	African & Oceanic Art
Communication, Media & Theatre - Theatre
CMTT 335	American Social Problem Plays
English
ENG 365 ENG 381 ENG 383	Caribbean Literature African American Literature Postcolonial African Literature
Geography & Environmental Studies
G&ES 302C	Regional Geography: Africa
History
HIST 111E HIST 202 HIST 203 HIST 329A HIST 329B HIST 370 HIST 371 HIST 372 HIST 373	World History: Africa History of Afro-Americans to 1877 History of Afro-Americans from 1877 African American History to 1865 African American History and Race Relations since 1865 Pre-Colonial Sub-Saharan Africa 19th and 20th Century Africa History of Southern Africa, 1800 - Present Women and Gender in African History
Inner City Studies
ELAD-ICSE 202 ELAD-ICSE 204 ELAD-ICSE 301 ELAD-ICSE 304	Colonial Systems Introduction to African Civilizations Racism in Theory and Fact Communication in the Inner City
Justice Studies
JUST 202 JUST 314 JUST 331	WIP: Justice and Inequality Police in the Minority Community Law and Racism in America
Linguistics
LING 364	Introduction to African American English
Music
MUS 342	World Music
Philosophy
PHIL 291 PHIL 364	Philosophical Foundations of Oppression Critical Race Theory
Political Science
PSCI 329 PSCI 330 PSCI 360 PSCI 361 PSCI 397	Minority Politics in the US African American Politics and Social Change Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa Political Change in Africa African Political Thought
Psychology
PSYC 314	Psychology of the African American Families
Social Work
SWK 202 SWK 203 SWK 250 SWK 314	Community Analysis Analysis of Cross Culture Interaction Issues in Social Service Delivery Social Work Advocacy
Sociology
SOC 104 SOC 309 SOC 316 SOC 344 SOC 349	Schools and Society Sociology of Racism Race and Ethnic Relations African American Women: Feminism, Race and Resistance Black Social Movements

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