African American Studies, Department of

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Department Co-Chairs

Stan Breckenridge
Zakyi Ibrahim

Department Office/Website

Humanities 314
657/278-3848
hss.fullerton.edu/african-american/about/index.asp

Faculty

Stan Breckenridge, Siobhan Brooks, Natalie Graham, Tyler D. Parry

Introduction

African American Studies, an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the black experience, is an Option within the Ethnic Studies degree program. African American Studies fosters an understanding of and appreciation for the rich traditions of the African diaspora, advances interdisciplinary knowledge of African American history and culture, and helps students develop critical awareness of the status of peoples of African descent in our inter-connected global society. Students who take African American Studies courses will learn about the ways that people of African descent have created dynamic cultural forms, forged communities and fought for freedom within and outside the United States. They will gain an understanding of the varied inter- and intra-racial dynamics that affect black communities in the United States and abroad. And, they will apply this knowledge to forms of community, cultural, professional or civic engagement.

Students who pursue the African American Studies Option of the Ethnic Studies major, or choose to minor in African American Studies, go on to pursue graduate degrees in the humanities, social sciences and sciences. Our graduates make career choices that reflect a commitment to leadership and community development. These areas include law, medicine, civil service, education and a number of other professional occupations.

Degree Description

Students who major or minor in African American Studies will receive a well-rounded, interdisciplinary education and go on to have successful careers in a variety of professions. The degree prepares its alumni for both graduate study, and careers in a variety of professional fields, such as education, law, business, social work and more.

Learning Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

• Bachelor of Arts in Ethnic Studies, African American Studies

Programs and Courses Offered

Programs

• Ethnic Studies, Option in African American Studies, B.A.

• African American Studies Minor

Courses

Courses are designated as AFAM in the class schedule.

• AFAM 101 - Introduction to Ethnic Studies (3)
• AFAM 107 - Introduction to African American Studies (3)
• AFAM 108 - Linguistics and Minority Dialects (3)
• AFAM 190 - Survey of American History with Emphasis on Ethnic Minorities (3)
• AFAM 196 - Tutorial (1-3)
• AFAM 280 - Introduction to African American History (3)
• AFAM 301 - African American Food Culture (3)
• AFAM 304 - Black Families in America (3)
• AFAM 306 - American Indian Women (3)
• AFAM 307 - Research and Writing in Ethnic Studies (3)
• AFAM 308 - Black Men in America (3)
• AFAM 310 - Black Women in America (3)
• AFAM 311 - Race and Relationships (3)
• AFAM 314 - Pan-African Dance and Movement (3)
• AFAM 317 - Black Politics (3)
• AFAM 320 - Black Political Thought (3)
• AFAM 321 - Grassroots Planning and Community Development in Minority Communities (3)
• AFAM 322 - Psychology of African Americans (3)
• AFAM 324 - Introduction to African American Literature (3)
• AFAM 325 - African American Religions and Spirituality (3)
• AFAM 335 - History of Racism (3)
• AFAM 337 - American Indian Religions and Philosophy (3)
• AFAM 346 - The African Experience (3)
• AFAM 356 - African American Music Appreciation (3)
• AFAM 357 - Blacks in the Performing Arts (3)
• AFAM 370 - Development of African American Children and Youth (3)
• AFAM 371 - African American Concert Dance History (3)
• AFAM 381 - African Literature (3)
• AFAM 388 - Hip Hop Culture (3)
• AFAM 405 - Hollywood v. History: An Interpretive History of Blacks Through Film (3)
• AFAM 430 - A Social Psychological Study in Ethnic Minority Behavior (3)
• AFAM 458A - West Africa and the African Diaspora (3)
• AFAM 458B - Southern Africa in the 20th Century (3)
• AFAM 458C - African History Since 1935 (3)
• AFAM 476 - African American History: 1619 to 1863 (3)
• AFAM 477C - American Immigration History (3)
• AFAM 485 - Education and Ethnic Minorities (3)
• AFAM 496 - Tutorial (1-3)
• AFAM 499 - Independent Study (1-3)

Courses are designated as ETHN in the class schedule.

• ETHN 457 - Whiteness, a Racial Formation (3)
• ETHN 490 - Ethnic Studies Senior Seminar (3)

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