Faculty

Chair

Thomas N. Robinson, Jr.
B.A., Morehouse College, 1967; M.S., Howard University, 1971; Ph.D., 1974

Associate Professors

Gloria I. Chuku
B.A., University of Nigeria (Nsukka), 1986; M.A., University of Port Harcourt (Nigeria), 1989; Ph.D., University of Nigeria (Nsukka), 1995

Professor Emeritus

Willie B. Lamouse-Smith
B.Sc., University of London (U.K.), 1962; Dr.sc.pol., University of Muenster (Germany), 1966

Professor Emerita

Daphne D. Harrison
Mus.B., Talladega College, 1953; Mus.M., Northwestern University, 1961; Ed.D., University of Miami, 1971

Instructors

Kwame Ansah-Brew

Tammy Sanders Henderson

Terrence Hickey

Sharon King

Kibibi Mack-Shelton

Jason Rhodes

Courses in this program are listed under AFST.

The Department of Africana Studies provides an undergraduate education that draws from the intellectual heritage, accumulated knowledge, enduring experiences and contributions of Africa and its diaspora. Through multi- and interdisciplinary methodologies, students acquire knowledge in ways that help them build their analytical and critical thinking skills. Students are helped to use their knowledge and experiences to prepare for graduate study in a variety of fields and for rewarding careers that will enhance the quality of their lives and contribute to the development of their communities.

Students may pursue the standard major in Africana studies or a concentration in a track. Many students find it productive to combine Africana studies with another discipline in a dual major. Students also may minor in Africana studies. Students who select the major or double-major in Africana Studies have the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge through internships or field research.

Career and Academic Paths

Majors in Africana studies have continued on into graduate and professional schools and built successful careers in many fields, including public affairs, law, health, government, social work, education, the visual and performing arts, and business and management. Many students planning careers in medicine, law, public policy, social work and education pursue a second major or a minor in Africana studies. Students with interest in foreign service in Africa and the Caribbean or students who intend to acquire graduate training with specialization on Africa or the Caribbean will be well-prepared in the department. The concentration in community involvement studies prepares students to work in community-oriented, community-based agencies or in local government. The track in education enables students with career interest in elementary-and secondary-level teaching to prepare for Maryland Teacher Certification in social studies through the UMBC Department of Education.

Transfers and Other Majors in the Upper Division

If a student successfully has completed 60 or more credit hours at the time of declaring the major, the core requirements in Africana studies may be substituted with equivalent courses completed elsewhere, subject to approval by the student’s AFST advisor and the department’s chairperson.

Interdisciplinary Studies Major

In addition to the major options in Africana studies, a student may choose to complete the major through the Interdisciplinary Studies Program. Full descriptions of the options offered by the INDS major can be found in the catalog under Interdisciplinary Studies.

Non-Majors

Generally, students learn comparatively little about the black experience in elementary and secondary schools. Through Africana studies, they find the opportunity to benefit from courses offering broad perspectives on the history and culture of black peoples. For students planning careers in public service (including education, health-related professions, environmental management, law and social services), an exposure to the values and dynamics of black society and culture is indispensable. In addition to AFST 100 , other lower-level courses in Africana studies are highly recommended to all students for the purpose of fulfilling the general foundation requirements. Through mutual cooperation, many of the courses in Africana studies are cross-listed with other departments in the humanities and social sciences, thus offering students several electives for completing their graduation requirements.

Honors Program

Qualified students may enroll in the department’s honors program. This is an intensive program of seminars, workshops, research and independent study. It emphasizes the development of critical thinking and leadership skills. Information and application forms are available in the department office.

Special Opportunities

The department encourages and assists students to pursue internships focused on community involvement in urban development, health, education, justice, business and industry.

Programs

• Africana Studies, B.A.
• Africana Studies, Community Involvement Studies Concentration, B.A.

• Africana Studies Minor

Courses

• AFST 100 - Introduction to The Black Experience
• AFST 201 - Introduction to Methodology and Research in Africana Studies
• AFST 205 - Contemporary Black Popular Culture
• AFST 206 - Introduction to African-American History: A Survey
• AFST 211 - Introduction to Contemporary Africa
• AFST 212 - Introduction to African History
• AFST 213 - Africa: Culture and Development
• AFST 215 - Introduction to African Dance
• AFST 230 - Comparative African Religions
• AFST 240 - Topics in African and African-American Studies
• AFST 241 - The Making of the Caribbean
• AFST 245 - Introduction to Black Music
• AFST 250 - Directed Individual Study
• AFST 255 - Psychology of the Black Experience in the United States
• AFST 260 - Black Literature to 1900
• AFST 261 - Black Literature: Twentieth Century
• AFST 262W - Introductory Writing in Africana Studies
• AFST 263 - Introduction to Black Drama
• AFST 264 - Introductory Writing in Africana Studies
• AFST 271 - Introduction to Community Involvement
• AFST 275 - The Criminal Justice Process and Black Americans
• AFST 301 - Research Design and Documentation
• AFST 312 - West African History
• AFST 314 - Islam in Africa
• AFST 320 - Contemporary African Politics
• AFST 323 - Economic Development in Africa
• AFST 340 - Issues in African and Afro-American Studies
• AFST 344 - Black Folklore
• AFST 345 - Black American Music
• AFST 347 - Gender, Race, and Media
• AFST 350 - Psychology of Racism
• AFST 351 - Black Political Thought
• AFST 352 - African-American History to 1865
• AFST 353 - African American History Since 1865
• AFST 354 - African American Women’s History
• AFST 360 - Studies in Black Fiction
• AFST 361 - Studies in Black Drama
• AFST 362 - Studies in Black Poetry
• AFST 363 - Literature, Society and Blacks: Regional
• AFST 364 - Advanced Writing in Africana Studies
• AFST 367 - Workshop in Black Theatre
• AFST 368 - African Religions in Africa and the Diaspora
• AFST 369 - Black Families in the United States
• AFST 370 - Black Women: Cross-Cultural Perspectives
• AFST 371 - The Female Offender
• AFST 372 - Economic Activity in the Black Community
• AFST 375 - The Black Church
• AFST 377 - Black Community Development
• AFST 378 - Population Dynamics of Black Americans
• AFST 381 - Urban Housing Policy
• AFST 385 - Problem-Solving in the Urban Black Community
• AFST 390 - American Health Care System and the Black Community
• AFST 411 - American Foreign Policy and Africa
• AFST 415 - Music, Art and Society in West Africa
• AFST 420 - Comparative Slavery: Africa and the New World
• AFST 430 - Health Care in Africa
• AFST 439 - Women in Africa and the Diaspora
• AFST 440 - Topics in African and African-American Studies
• AFST 442 - African-Caribbean Music
• AFST 445 - Black Music in the New World
• AFST 450 - Black Philosophical Thought in the Twentieth Century
• AFST 453 - Topics in the Psychology of the Black Experience
• AFST 460 - Seminar in Black Hair and Body Politics
• AFST 465 - Seminar in African and African-American Literature
• AFST 473 - The Black Senior Citizen
• AFST 490 - Community Internship Project
• AFST 495 - Field Research in Africana Studies
• AFST 498 - Directed Individual Study
• AFST 499 - Honors Thesis