DEGREES AND PROGRAMS OFFERED

Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies
Minor in Africana Studies
 

ADVISING

College of Ethnic Studies Advising Web Page
Africana Studies Advising Web Page

AFRICANA STUDIES

Department Chair - Dorthy Tsuruta,   Ph. D.

The Africana Studies Department at San Francisco State University was the first Africana Studies Department established on a four year college campus in the United States. The department offers a multi-disciplinary curriculum in the areas of Black Humanities and Behavioral and Social Sciences. Courses offered in the Africana Studies curriculum enable a student to have a holistic understanding of the Black reality, by offering instruction that provides analysis and synthesis of African Philosophy, African and African American History, the Black Family, Black Psychology, Pigmentation theory and research, Black Political Movements, Economics of the Black community, Community Organizing, Black Religion, Black Literature, African and African American Theatre, Black Art and Black Dance. 

The premise of Africana Studies is that self knowledge is the key to all knowledge. By offering students a balanced and well-minded curriculum, the Department seeks to develop self knowledge and critical thinking skills that will help them to serve as agents of awareness and change in their communities. Students taking Africana Studies classes have the option to major in Africana Studies and/or to complete a double major. In addition, students can minor in Africana Studies, or take Africana Studies as electives or to meet GE requirements. Whatever option a student selects, Africana Studies courses will prove helpful in pursuing a specific professional career. For example, students who are interested in pursuing a career in business will find courses in Black History, Black Psychology and Black Economics helpful because these courses provide the student with a perspective and understanding of culture, history, psychology and economic characteristics of Black people, that cannot be attained in other departments within the University.

More importantly, the Africana Studies curricular program is designed to serve the needs of the Black community. Africana Studies courses stress using academic skills to further advance community empowerment and change. Students enrolled in the Africana Studies program are encouraged to view the Black community as a classroom where lessons can be learned and taught. 

Finally, the Africana Studies program at San Francisco State University has distinguished faculty who are nationally and internationally renowned for their academic scholarship and leadership in the area of Africana Studies. 

CAREER ALTERNATIVES

Regarding the prospect of majoring in Africana Studies, one of the most commonly asked questions is: What can I do with a major in Africana Studies? The answer is: the same thing you can do with any liberal arts or science major (English, Foreign Languages, History, Chemistry) and much more. A concentration in Africana Studies provides the foundation through which you can guide your personal and professional ambitions. The Africana Studies perspective also assists the student in understanding the compartmentalized and often disconnected areas of focus within Western education.
 

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN AFRICANA STUDIES

All students majoring in Africana Studies will be required to complete a program consisting of core courses and electives with concentrations in the areas of the Humanities and Behavioral and Social Sciences. The objectives of the Africana Studies curriculum include developing the skills to apply logical, artistic and scientific principles to the study of culture from the context of an African World view. 

Required Core Courses 
 

AFRS 101 Introduction to Africana Studies (3)
AFRS 200 Introduction to Black Psychology (3)
AFRS 201 Black Involvement in Scientific Development (3)
AFRS 210 Introduction to Black Literature (3)
AFRS 300 From Africa to America (3)
AFRS 302 Black Diaspora (3)
AFRS 340 Economics of the Black Community (3)
AFRS 516 Research Methods in the Black Community (3)
AFRS 551 Field Work in Africana Studies (3) 

TOTAL.......................................................................................27 units
 

Black Humanities Concentration
Units selected from the following on advisement ...12 
 

AFRS 221 Afro-American Music A 20th Century Survey (3)
AFRS 225 Images and Issues in Black Visual Media (3)
AFRS 270 Introduction to Egyptian Language (3)
AFRS 301 Africa in Global Perspectives (3)
AFRS 303 Afro-American History (3)
AFRS 305 Ancient Egypt (3)
AFRS 400 Black Arts and Humanities (3)
AFRS 411 African-African-American Literature (3)
AFRS 420 Black Fiction (3)
AFRS 430 Black Poetry (3)
AFRS 440 Black Oratory (3)
AFRS 450 Black Philosophy (3)
AFRS 617 Black Dance Experience (3)
AFRS 660 Black Journalism (3) 

Black Behavioral and Social Science Concentration
Units selected from the following on advisement ..12 
 

AFRS 111 Black Cultures and Personalities (3)
AFRS 206 Black Child Development (3)
AFRS 215 Introduction to Black Family Studies (3)
AFRS 301 Africa in Global Perspectives (3)
AFRS 303 Afro-American History (3)
AFRS 310 Anthropology of Blackness (3)
AFRS 320 Black Politics, Mass Movements and Liberation Themes (3)
AFRS 326 Black Religion (3)
AFRS 330 Sociological Dimensions of the Black Experience (3)
AFRS 370 Health, Medicine and Nutrition in the Black Community (3)
AFRS 515 Black Family Studies (3)
AFRS 555 Pigmentation and the Experience of Color (3)
AFRS 610 Art, Myth and Religion (3)
AFRS 655 Selected Topics in Africana Studies (3) 

Electives upon advisement from Africana Studies or related areas ...................6 

Total Units for Major .......45
 

MINOR PROGRAM IN AFRICANA STUDIES

The Africana Studies Minor is available for students desiring a program of study which is coherent but not as extensive as the Bachelor of Arts degree program. The Minor consists of a planned combination of core courses selected to focus on African perspectives experiences and expressions 

Required Courses 
 

AFRS 101 Introduction to Africana Studies (3)
AFRS 200 Introduction to Black Psychology (3)
AFRS 201 Black Involvement in Scientific Development (3)
AFRS 302 Black Diaspora (3)
AFRS 340 Economics of the Black Community (3)
AFRS 516 Research Methods (3) 

Total Units for Minor ..............................24
 
 

We hope this information will be helpful. Official requirements of all majors and programs are published in the University Bulletin

SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY
1600 Holloway Ave · San Francisco, CA 94132
Office of Admissions: (415) 338-3311 

Department of Africana Studies: (415) 338-2352
Email: bls@sfsu.edu