2024-2025 Binghamton University Academic Guide
Department of Africana Studies
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 Return to: Harpur College of Arts and Sciences
About the Department
Africana Studies is the study of Africans and African descended peoples. It offers a multidisciplinary, integrative hermeneutics to investigate, educate, promote and value the contributions and experiences of Africans and African descended peoples worldwide. The department’s vision is to impart innovative, creative, solidly grounded knowledge and understandings of Africans and the African Diasporas. The department attracts students of all ethnic backgrounds. Both minority and non-minority students benefit from exposure to academic materials and perspectives not otherwise available to them.
All the department’s courses satisfy Harpur College writing requirements. A single, double or cross-disciplinary major (BA program) and minor in Africana Studies are available.
Department Educational Goals
- Students will have knowledge of the national, global roles and cultural contributions and experiences of Africans and people of African descent.
- Students will have knowledge of oral traditions, literature, art and aesthetics, expressions and conceptualizations of spiritualism within the African purview.
- Students will have knowledge of health, social, political and environmental history of global Africa.
Departmental Honors
Exceptional students majoring in Africana Studies are considered for admission to the honors program upon the successful completion of six semesters or 96 credit hours (including at least 32 in Africana Studies).
The honors program consists of two courses taken in the senior year: AFST 497 Advanced Independent Study/Honors Research and AFST 499 Honors Thesis. Honors in Africana Studies are awarded to students who receive at least a B+ grade in Advanced Independent Study/Honors Research and at least an A- in Honors Thesis.
Students who wish to enroll in the honors program must have a cumulative and major/program 3.5 grade-point average, must be recommended to the program by a faculty who will take responsibility for directing that student’s honors thesis and must be granted permission to participate in the program by the department chairperson. Interested students should apply in the spring semester of the junior year to the undergraduate studies director who solicits a sample of the student’s written work in Africana Studies courses and two letters of recommendation from appropriate faculty. Upon acceptance, a Change of Major, Degree or Specialization Form is submitted to the Office of the Registrar.
Programs
Return to: Harpur College of Arts and Sciences
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