Binghamton University, State University of New York

Africana Studies (BA, Minor)

Some courses to consider in your first year:

AFST 101 - Intro To Africana Studies

A broad survey of some of the major themes in African, African American, and other African diasporic experiences over several hundred years. It centers on systems, movements, and ideas that have transcended national, continental, and oceanic boundaries - including slavery and emancipation, politics and religion, culture and identity, colonialism and nationalism. Overall, the course is an introduction to the making of the modern world, from the standpoint of black experiences globally. This course is offered in the fall. 4 credits Levels: Undergraduate

AFST 251 - Islamic Cultures in Africa

Introduction to Islamic cultural productions in North, West, East, and South Africa from the advent of Islam to modern times. Focuses on literature, music, architecture, and films in studying the syncretism of Islam and indigenous African religions and/or cultures and in highlighting the unifying cultural influences of the religion. Attends also to factors and issues of artistic production. This course is offered in the spring. 4 credits Levels: Undergraduate

AFST 171 - Intro to African Religion

E. A. Wallis Budge defined African religion as “the worship of the souls of the dead, commonly called Ancestor Worship.” Also, Diodorus, a Greek historian, wrote over 2,000 years ago that blacks were “the first to be taught to honor the gods and to hold sacrifices and processions and festivals and other rites by which men honor the deity; and … sacrifices practiced among the Ethiopians [black people] ... are those which are the most pleasing to heaven.” Thus, the course reviews the history of religion as a discipline, nature, and phenomenon of African religion, the conception of God and gods and goddesses, ancestors and elders, witchcraft, and rituals and symbols that offer to mean to the lives of believers. Course offering varies. 4 credits Levels: Undergraduate

AFST 317 - African Women & Feminism

An interdisciplinary approach to issues of importance to African women draws extensively from a range of theoretical writings, literary, and/or film works to study the political, social, and economic roles of women. Paying close attention to culture, it examines the impact of colonialism, nationalism, dictatorship, and military rule on women's autonomy, agency, and rights within and outside the family. This course is offered in the spring. 4 credits Levels: Undergraduate

After You Graduate

Africana studies at Binghamton University prepare students for a wide array of careers including:

• Business
• Counseling
• Government
• Law enforcement
• Medicine
• Psychology
• Public health
• Social work
• Technologies
• Teaching

Our graduates have gone on to continue their studies at prestigious graduate schools including:

• Harvard University
• Yale University
• New York University
• Columbia University
• University of Michigan
• Boston University