Major Descriptions

The Department of African and Afro-American Studies is an interdisciplinary program leading to the B. A. degree. The goal of African and Afro-American studies at UNC-Chapel Hill is to give specific and precise attention to the histories, cultures, and cultural linkages of the peoples of Africa and their descendants in the New World. Although students must concentrate in either African or Afro-American studies, all majors must gain competence in both areas and thereby come to understand the cultural and historical continuities and contrasts between Africa and the African New World.

African Studies

The African studies concentration develops an approach to contemporary Africa that is integrative and sympathetic to its peoples and cultures. Courses stress the importance of traditional values and institutions to the definition of modern African society as well as the historic range of commercial and political relationships with Europe and the New World. Core courses in history, anthropology, political science, geography, language and linguistics enable the student to develop skills in a variety of disciplines while the African Studies seminars provide the opportunity for in-depth research on particular issues and topics.

Career Opportunities:

The skills and perspectives of African Studies provide an excellent background for students considering careers in international development, education, business, government or diplomacy.

Afro-American Studies

The purpose of the concentration in Afro-American Studies is to develop a broad knowledge of the history, cultural heritage and significant social, political, economic and humanistic issues faced by the peoples of African descent in the Americas.

Career Opportunities:

Afro-American Studies majors go on to a wide variety of managerial, teaching and research positions. Other careers for which an Afro-American Studies major is excellent preparation include law, the foreign service, various positions in government, communications, social work, community development and public administration. All persons whose future work might require substantial contact with Afro-Americans can benefit from completing the requirements of the degree. Likewise, students who wish knowledge and appreciation of Afro-American culture for its own sake will find the program challenging.

Double Majors

Many students opt to combine African or Afro-American Studies with a major in such fields as English, music, history, and psychology. Increasing numbers of pre-law and pre-med students are choosing a double major in African or Afro-American Studies as a prerequisite for successful careers in or involving the black community. Social agencies, offices of civil rights compliance and equal opportunity offices deliberately recruit workers with a background in this field. Students who are inclined toward the creative arts often wish to deepen their sensitivities and insights into the myriad aspects of black culture. Artists, writers and musicians have long drawn thematic and textual materials from the African and Afro-American experience. The double major in African or Afro-American Studies is an appropriate complement to virtually any field of endeavor.

For more information please contact:

Julius E. Nyang'oro, Chair, Department of African & Afro-American Studies, CB 3395, 109 Battle Hall, UNC-CH, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3395. Telephone: (919) 966-5496 Fax: (919) 962-2694