2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Africana Studies
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Faculty
Chair
Tyson King-Meadows
B.A., North Carolina Central University, 1992; Ph.D., University of North Carolina, 2001
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
Assistant Professors
Thomas N. Robinson, Jr.
B.A., Morehouse College, 1967; M.S., Howard University, 1971; Ph.D., 1974
Maleda Belilgne
B.A., Hunter College, 2003; Ph.D., Duke University, 2011
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
Michelle Harrison-Davis
Tammy Sanders Henderson
Jason Rhodes
Damon Turner
Affiliate Faculty
Kimberly Moffitt, Associate Professor of American Studies
George Derek Musgrove, Associate Professor of History
Michelle Scott, Associate Professor of History
Courses in this program are listed under AFST.
The Department of Africana Studies (AFST) provides students of all ethnic, national and cultural backgrounds the necessary tools to understand, critically evaluate, analyze and interpret events and phenomena that structure the experiences, possibilities and dynamics of the people of African descent in the United States, Africa and its Diasporas. AFST students are offered a broad array of courses addressing cultural, economic, historical, political, psychological and sociological issues that affect peoples of African descent from diverse disciplinary and comparative perspectives. Africana Studies at UMBC offers a rigorous and challenging academic program that prepares students to think and write critically and clearly, engage in research and service, argue persuasively, and effectively solve problems. AFST adopts an intellectual approach that is sensitive to the interests and outlook of the people of African descent and their contributions to the interdependent global world through human development and civilization, arts and the sciences.
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.
Minor
To earn a minor, a student must complete 18 credits in Africana studies. The courses selected to fulfill the requirements of the minor must include nine credits of introductory-level courses. The other nine credits will be earned in upper-level courses of the student’s interest and selection. A minimum grade of “C” must be earned in each course counting toward the minor.
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 research assistantships and internships focused on community involvement in urban development, health, education, justice, business and industry.
Freshmen and sophomore students can obtain research experience on an Africana Studies topic of their choice by completing AFST 250 [Directed Independent Study; 3 credits] under the supervision of a faculty member of the department. Students pursuing the AFST major are required to complete six credits of faculty supervised directed research/independent study or community internship before completion of the major.
ProgramsBachelor of ArtsNon-DegreeCoursesAfricana Studies
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