African American Studies Minor

Department of Interdisciplinary Studies
Office:  241 Fenton Hall

(716) 673-3861

Dr. Jeanette McVicker, Program Coordinator

Email: jeanette.mcvicker@fredonia.edu

Website: https://www.fredonia.edu/academics/colleges-schools/college-liberal-arts-sciences/program/ethnic-gender-studies

 The African American Studies minor provides an interdisciplinary investigation of the origins, experiences, conditions, accomplishments, and contributions of people of African ancestry in the Americas. The program is designed for all students who want to deepen their understanding of African Americans by studying their earlier history in Africa, their transition to the New World, and their diasporic experiences in the Americas. The program also seeks to promote new ways of thinking about race, culture and social representation from different perspectives–notably, historical, literary, sociological, anthropological, psychological and artistic.

African American Studies is for everyone. No matter your major or your future plans, the program will provide intellectual skills and cultural knowledge that will benefit you. A minor in African American Studies will deepen your ability to listen and communicate in a meaningful way. It will make you more aware and respectful of differences in your community. These skills will help to prepare you for employment in education, government, legislation, international business and marketing, urban planning, counseling and social work, the media, and many other fields.

Minor Requirements

Students declaring an African American Studies minor may use past courses retroactively with approval of the coordinator.

 
Some courses require prerequisites.  Click on any hyperlinked course for additional information. 

Core courses:

ETHN 202Foundations of Social Justice

3

ETHN 206African American Studies

3

ETHN 333African American History to 1877

3

or

ETHN 334African American History since 1877

3

ETHN 240Introduction to African American Literature and Culture

3

Total Credit Hours:12

Electives:

ENGL 340Black Women Writers

3

ENGL 341Harlem Renaissance

3

ENGL 342African American Autobiography

3

ENGL 344Contemporary Multiethnic American Literature

3

HIST 272Africa to 1800

3

HIST 273Africa From the 1800s

3

ETHN 333African American History to 1877

3

ETHN 334African American History since 1877

3

HIST 336African American Black Women's History

3

HIST 343Civil Rights Movement

3

HIST 344African American Social Thought

3

ETHN 359Ethnicity and Race

3

MUS 265History of Jazz

3

MUS 267African American Music

3

POLI 334African Politics

3

POLI 371Civil Rights and Liberties

3

SOC 275Social Inequalities

3

Total Credit Hours:6

NOTE:

  • Six credit hours earned in two courses, each in a different discipline; must not include a course that has been used for core course credit; other courses not listed may be included with approval of coordinator.

Capstone course:

ETHN 491Social Change Capstone

3

Total Credit Hours:3

Total Credit Hours: 21

Students are encouraged to explore relevant Study Abroad courses to meet the elective requirements.

The African American Studies minor falls under the umbrella of the Ethnic Studies program, which also offers minors in Native American Studies, Latinx Studies, and Multi-Ethnic Studies.