1.- General Information

401 Liberal Arts Bldg.
(915) 747-8650

DIRECTOR: Maceo Crenshaw Dailey, Jr.
PROFESSORS: Amastae, Ambler, Armitage, Hall, Jackson,
Cheryl Martin, McGee Deutsch, Staudt, Taylor
ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS: Dailey, Rodríguez
ASSISTANT PROFESSORS: Charles Martin, Watley-Beal, Weaver
LECTURERS: Farah, Hopkins

The African American Studies Program provides a humanistic lens and course of study for individuals of all backgrounds to examine the African American experience and the attendant complexities of "race" relations in the American southwest, the state of Texas, the nation, and the Diaspora. The program's curriculum centers on the African American experience as it relates primarily to past, present, and future issues of (1) economic and business development; (2) leadership and service; (3) changing family structures and values; (4) gender politics; (5) the rapidly changing world of science and technology; and the importance of these issues in the local and global consciousness and behavior of African Americans and others of African descent. Students explore these issues using the interdisciplinary approach, comparative methodology, and computer literacy to acquire the critical thinking skills and knowledge for leadership, involvement in community development, preparation for graduate school, and to meet the personal and professional challenges of the 21st century.

Individuals minoring in African American Studies and mastering the subject matter acquire, therefore, the empowering knowledge and self-awareness to become better citizens in their towns, cities, nations, and global communities based on their understanding and problem solving abilities when faced with the damaging and debilitating manifestations of bigotry, segregation, and other discordant "isms." Those seeking employment as teachers, ministers, engineers, scientists, musicians, athletes, aviators, scholars, public servants, social workers, filmmakers, and military personnel will find the African American Studies Program an excellent complement to their major course of study.

To earn a minor in African American Studies, students are required to complete the following core courses:

AFST 3200 (Introduction to African American Studies)
AFST 3201 (Theories in African American Studies), and
AFST 3390 (Topics in African American Studies).

With the permission of the director of the African American Studies Program and the chair of the relevant department, the student may substitute an independent study course for "Topics in African American Studies." If the option is selected, the student is strongly encouraged to do an independent study course in some aspect of local, regional, state, national, or global history impacting on the past or present lives of African Americans or their endeavors to envision new societal changes or improvements.

The final three courses for completion of the minor may be selected from the vast variety of General Courses , provided that at least six hours are at the upper-division (3300-3400) level. The student is urged, however, to select at least one course that will combine both the major and minor fields of study to address a pertinent and pressing praxis problem in the history of African Americans or those of African descent; their interactions with other groups (Asians, Native Americans, Hispanics, or Anglos); or a national or global aspect of contemporary "race" relations issues. The student may also earn three credits by designing a practicum course that permits him or her to do field work in the community, nation, or a foreign country using cognitive skills, comparative methodologies, or theoretical perspectives acquired while minoring in African American Studies. In addition to the core courses, students may complete the minor by selecting from upper-level courses listed on General Courses.

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