Department Chair: James Jervis (Carman Hall, Room 287)
Department Faculty: Associate Professors: James A. Jervis; Assistant Professors: Bertrade B. Ngo-Ngijol Banoum, Anne Rice.
African and African American Studies is a body of knowledge that records, describes, and analyzes the experience of people of African descent in all parts of the world, but especially in Africa, the Caribbean, and the Americas. Africa and African American Studies appraises the past, examines the present, and seeks to shape the future.
Career Preparation: The Department's offerings are designed to prepare students for graduate and professional studies as well as for careers in business; community development and social service agencies; federal, state, and city government service; research; and teaching at the college, secondary and elementary levels.
The required courses and credits are distributed as follows:
Credits (36)
21* In required courses as follows: AAS 166 (3), AAS 232 or 248 (3), AAS 235 (3), AAS 241 or 242 or 267 (3), AAS 245 (3), AAS 330 or 342 (3), and AAS 390 or 470 (3)
15 In electiveAAS courses at the 300 or 400 level
*NOTE: Students in the Early Childhood and Childhood teaching certification sequence may substitute the courses in the ECCE certification, ECE 480 and 483, which are student teaching and the accompanying seminar (6 credits) for AAS 470: Fieldwork in the African American Community.
Students who wish to qualify for Departmental honors are required to take AAS 481: Honors Project.
The College requirement in foreign language may be satisfied by earning 10 credits in either Swahili or Yoruba.
Students interested in obtaining New York State teacher certification should consult the Office of the Dean of Education (Carman Hall, Room B-33, 718-960-4972).
See the description of this program contained later in this Bulletin.
15 Credits distributed as follows:
3 AAS 166
12 In elective AAS courses: 6 credits in AAS courses at the 200 level or above; and 6 credits in AAS courses at the 300 or 400 level.
*Courses preceded by an asterisk are not expected to be offered in 2009-2011.
AAS 166: Introduction to African and African American Studies. 3 hours, 3 credits. A thematic and methodological introduction to African and African American Studies from diverse disciplinary perspectives, including the humanities, social sciences, and the arts.
AAS 212: African Art. 3 hours, 3 credits. Historical survey of African art, traditional and contemporary.
AAS 213: African American Art. 3 hours, 3 credits. Historical survey of works of African American artists.
AAS 225: The Contemporary Urban Community. 3 hours, 3 credits. Survey of the development of urban communities and institutions and of public policy issues facing modern urban populations, such as housing, health care, and education.
AAS 226: Community Organization. 3 hours, 3 credits. The structure of the inner city. Analysis of community needs and resources--health, housing, recreation, and neighborhood projects in urban areas. The organization of community action projects within a theoretical framework for understanding and applying models of community control. PREREQ: Departmental permission.
AAS(WST)228: The African-American Family. 3 hours, 3 credits. A course examining the African-American family from slavery to the present. The family organization arising from the social structure of slavery. Current characteristics of the African-American family and possible suggestions for the improvement of the social structure of African-American families. PREREQ: Six credits in either AAS or an appropriate field.
AAS 232: African Civilizations. 3 hours, 3 credits. Exploration of the development of African civilizations from the origin of humankind to the present day. Their contributions to the development of the continent and the major world civilizations.
AAS (LAC)235: Caribbean Societies. 3 hours, 3 credits. A comparative study of Caribbean societies and cultures, with emphasis on the commonality and diversity in their historical, social, political, and economic development.
AAS (THE)238: African American Theatre. 3 hours, 3 credits. Contemporary African American plays and playwrights. The changing image of African Americans from the stereotypes of early American theatre to contemporary representations.
AAS(WST)239: Black Women in American Society. 3 hours, 3 credits. The experiences of and contributions made by women of African descent living in the United States. Emphasis on the effects of race, gender, socioeconomic status, sexuality, and spirituality in their lives.
AAS (WST)240: Women in African Society. 3 hours, 3 credits. Roles and status of women in traditional, colonial, and contemporary African societies. Impact of international organizations and globalization.
AAS (LAC)241: Literature of the English and Francophone Caribbean. 3 hours, 3 credits. Analysis of the literary works of Caribbean writers. Poetry, the novel, drama, and other literary forms of major authors.
AAS 242: African Literature. 3 hours, 3 credits. Analysis of African literary texts, including the epic, folktale, song, poetry, the novel, short story, and memoir.
AAS(HIS)245: History of African Americans. 3 hours, 3 credits. A study of the major forces shaping the history and culture of African Americans.
AAS (HIS)248: African History. 3 hours, 3 credits. Introduction to the history of Africa.
AAS 266: Contemporary Black Music. 3 hours, 3 credits. Development of contemporary Black music from jazz to hip hop.
AAS 267: African American Literature. 3 hours, 3 credits. Literary expression and historical experience of African American writers.
AAS 268: The Economics of Poverty. 3 hours, 3 credits. A course offering an objective evaluation and analysis of the nature of poverty in America as it relates to African Americans. The many economic, as well as social, political, and institutional, causes and characteristics of poverty will be explored. Various aspects of antipoverty programs are considered. The course also reviews recent theories of alleviating poverty in Black urban areas.
AAS(PHI)269: Introduction to African Philosophy. 3 hours, 3 credits. Examination of traditional and contemporary African philosophies.
AAS 303: Globalization and Africa. 3 hours, 3 credits. Economic transformation in Africa. The impact of globalization and transnationalism on political movements and the migration of peoples and ideas.
AAS 304: Societies and Cultures of Africa. 3 hours, 3 credits. Comparative study of African societies and cultures. Dynamics of organizations and social institutions, including family and kinship systems.
AAS (PHI)305: African Philosophical Thought. 3 hours, 3 credits. Traditional and contemporary African philosophical thought, including world views, ethics, ontology, and religions.
AAS 312: African American Religious Movements in the United States. 3 hours, 3 credits. Development of the Black church and African American religious movements in the United States.
AAS (HIU)311: Black Nationalism. 3 hours, 3 credits. Analysis of the social, political, and cultural ideology and practices of Black Nationalist movements.
AAS 313: The African-American Economy. 3 hours, 3 credits. Historical and contemporary analysis of the role Blacks have played in U.S. economic development. The economic status of Blacks in terms of labor unions, job and employment opportunities, purchasing power, investment, and savings.
AAS 316: Introduction to Community Development and Planning. 3 hours, 3 credits. General survey of the city and its problems as they affect urban communities. Effecting neighborhood change through community organization, using problem-defining and solving techniques, and community control to effect social, economic, and institutional development. PREREQ: AAS 226.
AAS 317: African Americans and The Law. 3 hours, 3 credits. Major constitutional and statutory provisions and judicial rulings affecting African Americans.
AAS 318: African American Psychology. 3 hours, 3 credits. Methods for studying the effects of a variety of aspects of African American culture on the social, cognitive, and linguistic development of African Americans. PREREQ: PSY 166.
AAS 320: Ancient Egypt(KMT). 3 hours, 3 credits. Explorations of the origins and development of Ancient Egypt (KMT). Interaction with the rest of Africa and beyond.
AAS 321: African Americans in Cinema. 3 hours, 3 credits. Visual images of African Americans in films, shorts, cartoons, and documentaries.
AAS 322: The City in Africa. 3 hours, 3 credits. The city in contemporary Africa.
AAS (HIW)323: History of Africa to 1800. 3 hours, 3 credits. Events and forces shaping African history before 1800.
AAS 324: History of African American Education. 3 hours, 3 credits. Historical, social, political, and economic factors shaping the education of African Americans.
AAS 326: Africa in Cinema. 3 hours, 3 credits. Study of images of Africa in cinema.
AAS (HIW)327: History of Africa 1800 to the Present. 3 hours, 3 credits. Events and forces shaping the history of Africa after 1800.
AAS(HIU)330: The Civil Rights Movement. 3 hours, 3 credits. Study of the modern Civil Rights movement.
AAS (COM)(MLJ)332: African American Media. 3 hours, 3 credits. Analysis of the African American media's role in U.S. history and culture.
AAS(LAC)334: Music of the Caribbean. 3 hours, 3 credits. Analysis of music and performance in Caribbean cultures and societies.
AAS (LAC)335: The Caribbean in World Politics. 3 hours, 3 credits. Problems and prospects for Caribbean states in contemporary world politics.
AAS(PHI)(SOC)338: Race and Ethnicity in Society. 3 hours., 3 credits. Sociological perspectives on race and ethnic relations in the United States and other societies.
AAS(LNG)339: African Languages. 3 hours, 3 credits. African languages and language families, their characteristics and development, including pidgin and Creole languages. Analysis of relations of language to ethnicity and identity. The contributions of African languages to general linguistic theory.
AAS (HIU)(WST)340: History of African American Women. 3 hours, 3 credits. The social, political, and cultural history of African American women in the United States from an interdisciplinary perspective.
AAS (POL)342: African-Americans in the Political System. 3 hours, 3 credits. The role, influence, and impact of African-Americans on the political process in the United States.
AAS 343: African American Women Writers. 3 hours, 3 credits. African American women's prose, poetry, fiction, and drama.
AAS(WST)344: African Women Writers. 3 hours, 3 credits. African women's writing, from the rich oral tradition to prose, poetry, fiction, and drama.
AAS 345: African American Poetry. 3 hours, 3 credits. Development of the African American poetic tradition. Eighteenth-century poetry, the vernacular, major poetic movements, such as the Harlem Renaissance and Black Arts, feminism, and the spoken word.
AAS 346: African American Autobiography. 3 hours, 3 credits. Major texts of African American autobiography.
AAS(WST)347: Black Feminisms. 3 hours, 3 credits. Contemporary Black feminist thought.
AAS 348: Literatures of Africa and the African Diaspora. 3 hours, 3 credits. Contemporary poetry, prose, fiction, and drama of Africa and the African Diaspora.
AAS (HIU)349: The Harlem Renaissance. 3 hours, 3 credits. Examination of poetry, prose, folklore, history, politics, art, and music of the Harlem Renaissance.
AAS (HIW)351: Topics in African History, Politics, and Society. 3 hours, 3 credits. Selected aspects of African history, politics, and society. Topics to be announced each semester.
AAS(HIU)352: Topics in African American History and Culture. 3 hours, 3 credits. Selected aspects of African American history and culture. Topics to be announced each semester.
AAS(HIW)353: Topics in Caribbean History, Politics, and Society. 3 hours, 3 credits. Selected aspects of Caribbean history, politics, and society. Topics to be announced each semester.
AAS 381: Individual Tutorial Project in African and African American Studies. 3 hours, 3 credits.(maximum of 6 credits. May be repeated once with change of topic). Opportunity for students to pursue individual research and reading on a specific topic, under faculty supervision. PREREQ: Departmental permission.
AAS 390: Research Methods. 3 hours, 3 credits. Interdisciplinary research in African and African American Studies. PREREQ: Departmental permission.
AAS(LAC)400: Seminar: Slavery in the New World. 3 hours, 3 credits. Intensive study of the institution of slavery in the New World. PREREQ: Departmental permission.
AAS 451: Seminar in African History, Politics, and Society. 3 hours, 3 credits. Independent reading and research on a selected topic.
AAS 470: Fieldwork in the African American Community. 10 hours(2, seminar; 8, fieldwork), 3 credits. Supervised placement in community service agencies and institutions. PREREQ: Departmental permission.
AAS 475: Fieldwork in Africa. 3-9 credits. This course provides students with the opportunity to receive academic credit for participation in a summer study program in Africa or supervised independent research in Africa. PREREQ: Departmental permission.
AAS 481: Honors Project. One semester, 3 credits(maximum 6 credits). Provides students with the opportunity to do supervised individual research and directed reading in the student's major. PREREQ: Departmental permission.
*Courses preceded by an asterisk are not expected to be offered in 2009-2011.
SWA 101: Elementary Swahili I. 5 hours, 5 credits. Fundamentals of the phonology and grammar of Swahili. Reading of simple texts and practice in speaking. NOTE: SWA 101 may not be credited without SWA 102.
SWA 102: Elementary Swahili II. 5 hours, 5 credits. Continuation of the study of Swahili grammar and vocabulary. PREREQ: SWA 101.
SWA 201: Intermediate Swahili I. 3 hours, 3 credits. A course in Swahili providing intensive practice in speaking, reading, and writing. The fundamentals of Swahili grammar are reviewed through use of audiolingual techniques. Emphasis on the development of fluency in speaking, reading, and writing. PREREQ: SWA 101 and 102 (or equivalent, as evaluated by the program coordinator).
*SWA 202: Intermediate Swahili II. 3 hours, 3 credits. PREREQ: SWA 201.
*SWA 345: Swahili Literature I. 3 hours, 3 credits. PREREQ: SWA 202 (or equivalent).
*SWA 346: Swahili Literature II. 3 hours, 3 credits.
*Courses preceded by an asterisk are not expected to be offered in 2009-2011.
YOR 101: Elementary Yoruba I. 5 hours, 5 credits. NOTE: YOR 101 may not be credited without YOR 102. Introduction to Yoruba grammar. This course deals with grammar, syntax, pronunciation, and spelling. NOTE: YOR 101 may not be credited without YOR 102.
YOR 102: Elementary Yoruba II. 5 hours, 5 credits. PREREQ: YOR 101. This course deals with oral work and elementary reading based on YOR 101. Sentence construction and introduction to the customs and culture of the language. PREREQ: YOR 101.
*YOR 201: Intermediate Yoruba. 3 hours, 3 credits. PREREQ: YOR 101 and 102.
*YOR 345: Yoruba Oral Literature. 3 hours, 3 credits. PREREQ: YOR 201.
*YOR 346: Modern Yoruba Literature. 3 hours, 3 credits. PREREQ: YOR 345.
Foundation Course
AAS 166: Introduction to African and African American Studies
African Sequence
AAS 232: African Civilizations
AAS(WST)240: Women in African Society
AAS(HIS)248: African History
AAS(PHI)269: Introduction to African Philosophy
AAS 303: Globalization and Africa
AAS 304: Societies and Cultures of Africa
AAS(PHI)305: African Philosophical Thought
AAS 320: Ancient Egypt (KMT)
AAS 322: The City in Africa
AAS(HIW)323: History of Africa to 1800
AAS 326: Africa in Cinema
AAS(HIW)327: History of Africa 1800 to the Present
AAS(HIW)351: Topics in African History, Politics, and Society
AAS 451: Seminar in African History, Politics, and Society
AAS 475: Fieldwork in Africa
African American Sequence
AAS(WST)228: The African American Family
AAS(WST)239: Black Women in American Society
AAS(HIS)245: History of African Americans
AAS 268: The Economics of Poverty
AAS(HIU)311: Black Nationalism
AAS 312: African American Religious Movements in the United States
AAS 313: The African American Economy
AAS 317: African Americans and the Law
AAS 324: History of African American Education
AAS(HIU)330: The Civil Rights Movement
AAS(COM, MLJ)332: African American Media
AAS(PHI)(SOC)338: Race and Ethnicity in Society
AAS(HIU)(WST)340: History of African American Women
AAS 341: Black Feminisms
AAS(POL)342: African Americans in the Political System
AAS(HIU)352: Topics in African American History and Culture
Caribbean Sequence
AAS(LAC)235: Caribbean Societies
AAS(LAC)335: The Caribbean in World Politics
AAS(HIW)353: Topics in Caribbean History, Politics and Society
Community and Urban Sequence
AAS 225: The Contemporary Urban Community
AAS 226: Community Organization
AAS 316: Introduction to Community Development and Planning
AAS 470: Fieldwork in the African American Community
Literature and the Arts
AAS 212: African Art
AAS 213: African American Art
AAS(THE)238: African American Theatre
AAS(LAC)241: Literature of the English and Francophone Caribbean
AAS 242: African Literature
AAS 266: Contemporary Black Music
AAS 267: African American Literature
AAS(LAC)334: Music of the Caribbean
AAS 343: African American Women Writers
AAS(WST) 344: African Women Writers
AAS 345: African American Poetry
AAS 346: African American Autobiography
AAS 348: Literature of Africa and the African Diaspora
AAS(HIU)349: The Harlem Renaissance
Languages
AAS 339: African Languages
Swahili Language and Literature
SWA 101: Elementary Swahili I
SWA 102: Elementary Swahili II
SWA 201: Intermediate Swahili I
*SWA 202: Intermediate Swahili II
*SWA 345: Swahili Literature I
*SWA 346: Swahili Literature II
Yoruba Language and Literature
YOR 101: Elementary Yoruba I
YOR 102: Elementary Yoruba II
*YOR 201: Intermediate Yoruba
*YOR 345: Yoruba Oral Literature
*YOR 346: Modern Yoruba Literature