African and African American Studies Minor

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Website: www.loyola.edu/academics/african-american-studies

The Minor in African and African American Studies (AAAS) offers opportunities for critical examination and sophisticated understanding of the cultural, social, political, economic, and historical factors that have created and shaped Africa and its diaspora, including black experiences in the United States, the Caribbean, and throughout the globe. The minor consists of six, three-credit courses, some of which may require prior approval of the program director, and a portfolio submission. Credits toward the minor must come from at least three distinct disciplines; at least four courses must be at the 300-level or above; and up to two courses may be cross-counted between the AAAS minor and another major or minor. Some courses are more applicable or available to certain majors than others.

Requirements for the Minor

Requirements for the minor are as follows:

One African Studies Elective
Two African American Studies Electives
Three African, African American, African Diaspora, and/or Comparative Racial Studies Electives, including any combination of courses from the electives listed below; courses approved for AAAS elective credit for a particular semester; study abroad courses approved for AAAS elective credit (prior approval required); a senior seminar, capstone, or internship course in the student's major that significantly engages AAAS topics (prior approval required).
A portfolio of representative work in the minor, submitted to program director in the final year.

International, Service-learning, or Internship Course

An international, service-learning, or internship course is recommended. Study-abroad courses must be in Africa or in a black-majority location in the diaspora (e.g., Guadeloupe); up to three study-abroad courses can count toward the AAAS minor, in consultation with the Department accepting the credit. Service-learning is integral to courses designated as such, which entails working with African American or African diaspora populations in the greater Baltimore area. Internship courses are offered through a student's major and it is the student's responsibility to seek program director approval for AAAS credit. Students may also take up to two courses offered through the Baltimore Student Exchange Program at other area colleges and universities; however, these courses must be preapproved by the program director.

Notes:

Students should work with the program director, in addition to their major advisor, to devise a coherent program of study. Meeting once per semester with the director is suggested. Students are required to work with the program director to compile and submit a final portfolio of a representative selection of work from various AAAS classes, ordinarily in the final year of coursework in the minor.

Electives

African Studies

African American Studies

African Diaspora and Comparative Racial Studies

AAAS Approval Required:

The electives listed below may count toward AAAS credit if the final paper or project significantly engages African, African American, or African diaspora studies. The student must seek approval in advance from the program director, and it is the student's responsibility to work with the course instructor to ensure that the final paper or project is on AAAS topics. Other courses may be approved for credit toward the AAAS minor if they significantly engage AAAS learning aims.