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Undergraduate Studies in AFAS

Local to Global Black Studies

The African and African American Studies department offers opportunities for students to explore the social, political and intellectual history as well as the literature, culture and artistic life of the people and places of the African diaspora. Our department emphasizes Global Black Studies and is distinguished by a commitment to community-engaged, transformative research, teaching, programming, and service. 

Led by leading scholars in their fields of Africana Studies, Anthropology, History, English, Sociology, Design, and more, the department examines a wide spectrum of experiences and issues and is both multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary in its approach. Courses are offered in the humanities, the social sciences and the performing arts. Our faculty and students pursue Global Black Studies through research, courses, programs and initiatives spanning East, West and Central Africa, the United States, Europe, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and are deeply enaged with St. Louis. 

Students who major or minor in African and African American Studies design a course of study and experiencial learning that focuses on either a particular area of interest (e.g., health and wellness; arts and culture; global studies) or a more comprehensive examination of black culture and life. Students also have opportunities to collaborate in faculty research and undertake internships with St. Louis community organizations such as the Missouri Historical Society, the Griot Museum of Black History, Vitendo4Africa, Greenwood Cemetery, and the George B. Vashon Museum. Study abroad and immersive learning opportunities through departmental programs in Kenya and Senegal, Ampersand courses, and study trips and programs in other parts of the U.S. and global African Diaspora, can further enrich the student experience. Our alums have achieved success and distinction across a wide spectrum of fields, including the arts, medicine, law, education, science, and many other areas of creative and professional endeavor. 

Global Black Studies

Global Black Studies in AFAS

Undergraduate majors and minors have abundant opportunities to pursue fundamentally global dimensions of Africana Studies, including through departmental Ampersand courses and study abroad programs, and through WashU's Office of Overseas Programs, where several AFAS-approved programs are available in countries spanning the Americas, Europe and Africa.

Our department works with the Overseas Program at Washington University to identify Global Opportunities aligned with an education in AFAS. Current offerings include programs in Brazil, Colombia, Ghana, South Africa, Morocco, and London. Faculty advisors in AFAS and Study Abroad advisors in Arts & Sciences work with students to access these and other transformative opportunities in Global Black Studies.

Learn more at A&S Overseas Programs

Summer in Senegal Program

AFAS-approved Global Opportunities include programs offered by the department, The summer program to Senegal, West Africa is designed for students who want to build their conversational French language skills, learn more about Francophone West Africa, and experiment with field research. Dakar, Senegal provides the perfect opportunity to explore themes in African and Francophone studies because of its geographical space and unique history. Geographically, Dakar naturally opens itself to the wider world, as reflected in its history, its role in the former French empire, its religious landscape, and its current relationships with other countries. Senegal, very proud of its place as an intellectual center, is the epicenter of many artistic and cultural movements. The program is intended to accommodate individual student interests and may therefore appeal to students with interests in African Studies, French, Anthropology, International and Area Studies, Public Health, History, Women’s Studies and Political Science.

learn more about the program

Summer in Kenya Program

Washington University's Summer Program in Kenya is a dynamic program in language and culture offering four weeks of full immersion in the central region of the country: Nairobi, Rift Valley, Mt. Kenya area, and the coast (subject to confirmation). This program is designed to enhance a student’s understanding of Kenyan society by carefully blending coursework, home stays, community conservation projects through the Green Belt Movement, guest lectures, and memorable excursions.

The program is intended to accommodate individual student interests and may therefore appeal to students who major in African Studies, Anthropology, Environmental Studies, Education, Kiswahili, Women’s Studies and Political Science.

learn more about the program

Beyond The Classroom: AFAS Engaged

Students in African & African American Studies at WashU have the opportunity to apply critical race analyses to real-world issues through various pathways before graduating. These opportunities include experiential learning by conducting research with esteemed faculty members, interning with AFAS community partners, traveling to an African country, or receiving funding to design their own projects.

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Majoring in African and African American Studies

Students who declare a major or second major in African and African American Studies will work with the department to select an academic advisor whose fields and areas of study align with their interests. With guidance from their advisor, students will design a coherent course of study that fulfills AFAS requirements and supports their academic, intellectual, and postgraduation goals.

The major in African and African American Studies requires 31 units of coursework. Coursework counted toward the major must be completed with a grade of C– or better.

Students must complete the following required courses:

  • AFAS 1002: Foundations in African & African-American Studies — 1 unit
  • AFAS 2550: Introduction to Africana Studies — 3 units
  • AFAS 4018: Approaches, Debates and Practices in Black Studies — 3 units
  • AFAS 4501: Senior Seminar — 3 units

Students must also complete 21 elective credits in AFAS. Elective coursework must include at least one course in each of the four AFAS focus areas:

  • Language, Aesthetics, and Expressive Cultures
  • Social and Historical Formations
  • Gender, Sexuality, and the Body
  • Engaging Africa and Non-U.S. Diaspora Currents

Students must complete an additional 9 credits from any combination of the focus areas.

At least 18 elective credits must be at the 3000 level or above, including a minimum of 6 credits at the 4000 level. Up to 3 elective credits may be taken at the 1000 or 2000 level, although lower-level electives are not required for the major.

Students are required to complete at least one semester of a foreign language. Wolof and Swahili are strongly encouraged and are pre-approved for the major. Other languages may fulfill this requirement with the approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies or the student’s AFAS advisor.

For the full and official requirements, please visit the Washington University Bulletin page for the African & African American Studies major.


Honors

The Honors program in AFAS is open to majors in African and African American Studies who have strong academic records. Students usually have an overall grade point average of at least 3.65. Application to the program should be made to the undergraduate committee as early as possible in the junior year.

To help expedite the process, you should talk with the faculty member you wish to have supervise your work, and obtain their agreement to be your thesis supervisor. Then complete a proposal form, setting out what you plan to do for your thesis, naming your thesis advisor, and enclosing a copy of your transcript. The proposal form and transcript should be submitted to the Chair of African and African American Studies no later than August 1 of your junior year.

Upon admission to the program, you should find 2-3 outside readers who will agree to be on your committee. They will hear your defense of your thesis. Their recommendations will determine what is contained in your final draft of your thesis.

From the DUS

Welcome to African & African American Studies! My name is Zachary Manditch-Prottas, and I am the Director of Undergraduate Studies. I am here to assist you with any questions you may have. Whether you're interested in our major, minor, a specific class or subject, or simply want to learn more about our department and the many scholarly and professional opportunities available for undergraduates, I am here to listen and provide guidance. Please find an overview of our major and minor below, as well as a link to the Bulletin that includes further detailed information about major/minor requirements. Otherwise, feel free to reach out to me directly at zmanditch-prottas@wustl.edu or swing by my office, McMillan Hall #231. 
Zachary Manditch-Prottas

Zachary Manditch-Prottas

Senior Lecturer in African and African American Studies and American Culture Studies

Zachary Manditch-Prottas's research and teaching work at the nexus of African American literature, Black cultural studies, and theories of gender and sexuality.

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Minoring in African and African American Studies

The minor in African and African American Studies requires 16 units of coursework in AFAS. Students must complete: 

Two Introductory Required Courses

  • AFAS 1002: Foundations in African & African-American Studie
  • AFAS 2550: Introduction to Africana Studies

Students must also complete 12 elective credits in AFAS. At least 9 of these elective credits must be at the 3000 level or higher.

Coursework counted toward the minor must be completed with a grade of C– or higher. Students may apply a maximum of 6 credits earned through study abroad and/or transfer credit toward the minor.

Elective courses should be selected in consultation with an AFAS academic advisor to ensure coherence within the minor and alignment with the student’s academic interests, intellectual development, and postgraduation goals.

For the full and official requirements, please visit the Washington University Bulletin page for the African & African American Studies minor.

 

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