The course of study and the requirements for the undergraduate (B.A.) degree in African American Studies provide an opportunity for students (a) who desire to extend their education in the social/behavioral sciences with an emphasis in Pan-African Studies; (b) who wish to prepare themselves for graduate work in African-centered studies, or in a variety of other fields including law, teaching, and the social/behavioral sciences; (c) or who plan to enter one of several professional or occupational fields for which a substantial background in Pan-African Studies is essential or helpful.

The major in PAS requires 45 units of completed coursework within three specific concentration options:

• Option I:     African American Social Sciences
• Option II:    African American Arts & Literature
• Option III:   African and African American Cultural Studies
  (which allows a focus on either continental African Studies or African American History)

Each option is designed to prepare students for rigorous graduate study or for employment. Students can also double major in a combination like Pan African Studies and Urban Studies, or they can major in PAS with a Business or other disciplinary major. Contact the PAS office for more information.

Major Requirements

In order to graduate with a major in Pan African Studies, you must complete the core requirements (21 units), and complete one of the three options (24 units).

Core Requirements (21 units)

Lower Division

• PAS 100 Introduction to Black Culture (3 units)
• PAS 161 American Political Institutions: A Black Perspective (3 units)
• PAS 201 Economics of the African American Community I(3 units)
• Choose one of the following:
  • PAS 220 Psychological Environment of the African American (3 units)
  • PAS 221 Sociological Environment of the African American (3 units)
• Choose one of the following:
  • PAS 271 African American History to 1865 (3 units)
  • PAS 272 African American History since 1865 (3 units)

Upper Division

• PAS 350 Advanced Writing (3 units)
• PAS 498 Proseminar in Pan African Studies: Methodology, Research and Analysis (3 units)