As an Africana studies major, you’ll have the chance to explore the centrality of Africa and the African Diaspora to the modern world and previous eras in the fields of literature, history, philosophy, international relations, cultural studies, music, and the visual arts.
Requirements
Major requirements
A major in Africana studies requires at least 10 Africana studies (ASRC) courses with a grade of C or better, distributed as follows:
- Introduction to Africana studies
- Three courses, each of which falls under one of the following categories (at the 2000 level or above): African, African-American, Caribbean or other diaspora studies
- Four courses: To generate a more specific focus, choose up to two topics that fall within the African diaspora from the following: history, literature, politics, popular culture, race and inequality, or gender and sexuality and take two courses in each of the chosen topics (at the 3000 level or above)
- Two seminar courses (at the 4000 level or above)
Minor requirements
A minor concentration in Africana studies requires at least five Africana studies (ASRC) courses with a grade of C or better distributed as follows:
- Introduction to Africana studies
- Three courses, each of which falls under one of the following categories (at the 2000 level or above): African, African-American, and Caribbean, or other diaspora studies
- One course on history, literature, politics, popular culture, race and inequality, or gender and sexuality within the African diaspora (at the 3000 level or above)
Sample classes
- Black Queer Studies
- Africa, Humanitarianism, and Postcolonial Sensibilities
- Women in Hip Hop
- The African Diaspora: Theories and Texts
Outcomes
All information below is based on the 2022 First-Destination Post-Graduate Survey. Lists are not exhaustive, rather they are a sampling of the data. If you would like more information, please email as_careers@cornell.edu
What can you do with a degree in Africana Studies?
Graduate school:
Africana studies students pursued various advanced degrees like their MA, MPP, and PhD. Their graduate field interest ranges from African studies to history and public policy.
These ambitious individuals have chosen to continue their education at prestigious institutions like American University, Columbia University, and Syracuse University.
Employment:
The majority of Africana studies graduates entered sectors in communications/media, hospitality, and law.
Where 2022 Africana Studies Graduates Work
| Employer | Job Titles |
|---|---|
| All Mutable | Curator |
| Amyas Naegele Fine Art Bases | Gallery Assistant |
| Comcast/NBCUniversal | Ad Sales Associate |
| Margolis Law Firm | Paralegal |
