Undergraduate Courses

Our curriculum is organized to reflect the strengths of our faculty, the languages we offer, and the three main geographical regions that influence our pedagogy. Core courses provide a broad exposure to the cultural and historical foundations, and lead students to a range of subjects, issues, methods, perspectives, and innovations in Africana studies. Our interdisciplinary and cross listed courses allow students to choose and pursue area of concentration, explore a specialized path of inquiry, satisfy a language and a non-western culture requirement, and facilitate double-majoring. Our curriculum attracts students from the College and the Schools of Journalism, Business, Fine Arts, Social Welfare, Education, Architecture and Engineering.

African and African-American Studies Courses

AAAS 102 Arabic and Islamic Studies (3) NW
An introduction to the study of Islam and the Arabic language in relation to Islamic cultures in Africa, the Mediterranean region, and beyond. Topics covered include the historical origins of the Islam in relation to the Arabic language and its cultures of origin. This course is interdisciplinary, including attention to the topic from the perspectives of historical unfolding of both the language and religion, geographic and cultural perspectives, political and economic concerns, and aesthetic perspectives, including literature and the arts. SATISFIES NON-WESTERN CULTURE REQUIREMENT

AAAS 103 Introduction to Africa (3) WS, SC, NW
An introduction to the interdisciplinary study of African cultures and societies focusing on contemporary life on the continent. Topics to be covered include the geography, history, politics and economics of the continent, as well as the religion, languages and literatures, music and the arts. The interdisciplinary perspective will provide students with a sound basis for understanding contemporary African societies. Principal Course.
Satisfies Non-Western Culture requirement

AAAS 104 Introduction to African-American Studies (3). U
Interdisciplinary introduction to the basic concepts and literature in the disciplines covered in African American Studies. Includes the social sciences, and humanities (including history, religion, and literature) as well as conceptual framework for investigation and analysis of Black history and culture and society. LEC
AAAS 105 Introduction to African History (3) WH, NW
An introduction to important historical developments in Africa, mainly south of the Sahara. Topics will include pre-history, empires, kingdoms and city-states, the slave trade, southern Africa, partition and colonialism, the independence era, military and civilian governments, and liberation movements. Approaches will include literature, the visual arts, politics, economics and geography.
Satisfies Non-Western Culture requirement (Same as HIST 104)
AAAS 106 The Black Experience in the Americas (3) WH, HT
An interdisciplinary study of the history of the African peoples of the New World, relating their cultures and institutions to the African background and to their peculiar New World experiences up to and including the 19th century. While the main emphasis will be on the U.S.A., attention will also be paid to the Caribbean and Latin America. Approaches will include demography, economics, social and political developments, literature and music.
AAAS 115 Introduction to African History, Honors (3) H, NW
An intensive version of AAAS 105. Open only to students on Dean's Honor Roll or enrolled in Honors Program, or consent of instructor.
AAAS 116 The Black Experience in the Americas, Honors (3) H, HT
An intensive version of AAAS 106. Open only to students on Dean's Honor Roll or enrolled in Honors Program, or consent of instructor.
AAAS 300 African Traditional Religion and Thought (3) WH, NW
A study of African traditional religious beliefs, systems and practices and how these have conditioned spiritual, moral and social values, attitudes, social relationships and institutions, art, literature and music. Topics covered include the African world-view; concepts of birth, life, marriage, death and reincarnation; the concurrent practice of monotheism, polytheism and the practices of the ancestors; and the extent of relevance to Black societies in the New World.
Prerequisites: AAAS 103 or AAAS 105 or AAAS 106 or consent of instructor
Satisfies Non-Western Culture requirement
AAAS 301 Portrait of a Third World Nation: Haiti (3) WH, NW
Case study of Third-World problems and aspirations through the first Black nation to win independence from colonialism. Topics include: profile of the Third World; Caribbean diversity; the Columbian exchange; piracy; slavery and plantocracy; Revolution and the burden of freedom; U.S. occupation; Papa Doc, Baby Doc, and the Tontons Macoute; Liberation theology; peasant life; government and corruption; poverty and hunger; morality of foreign aid; Voodoo; folk medicine. No knowledge of French or Haitian is required. Students may not receive credit for both HAIT 200 and AAAS 301.
Cross-listed with HAIT 200
Satisfies non western culture requirement
AAAS 302 Contemporary Haiti (3) NW
Detailed analysis of recent Haitian history. The focus will include interactions between religion, social structure, politics, economics and international relations.
Prerequisites: AAAS 301/HAIT 200, or consent of instructor
AAAS 305 Modern African History (3) WH, NW
A survey of social, political, and economic developments during the colonial era and independence struggles, followed by a closer examination of the contemporary experience in a selected country or region. (Same as HIST 300.)
Satisfies Non-Western Culture requirement
AAAS 306 The Black Experience In the U.S. Since Emancipation (3) H
An interdisciplinary study of the history and culture of Black people in America from Reconstruction to the present. Topics covered include an analysis of Reconstruction, Black leaders, organizations and movements, the Harlem Renaissance, migration, and race relations. Demographic variables covered include socio-economic class, education, political persuasion, and influence by avant-garde cultural changes.
AAAS 307 Modern African History, Honors (3) NW
An intensive version of AAAS 305. A survey of social. political and economic developments during the colonial era and independence struggles, followed by a closer examination of the contemporary experience in a selected country or region. Open only to students admitted to the university honors program, or by consent of the instructor. (Same as HIST 307)
AAAS 310 Women of Africa Today (3) S, NW
An analysis of the position and status of the African woman today, as she grapples with factors peculiar to her environment, history, and culture in a global perspective. The course will examine specific and relevant factors which impact on her current status in her society and how she compares with her older counterpart. Comparative study will be made of different African cultures. (Same as WS 310).
AAAS 320 African Studies in: _________ (3) WH, NW
Lecture and discussion course in African area of current interest. May be repeated for credit toward the major.
Prerequisite: AAAS 103 or AAAS 105 or consent of instructor
AAAS 323 African-American Studies In: _______________ (3) H
Lecture and discussion course in African-American area of current interest. May be repeated for credit toward the major.
Prerequisite: AAAS 106 or consent of instructor
AAAS 330 Black Leadership (3) WH
The course focuses on the concept of leadership and on Black leadership in the U.S. An in-depth analysis of selected case studies of Black leaders both from historical and contemporary scenes will be made. Some attention will be given to the dispersion of Africans into the Americas, the leadership that emerged and was conditioned both by environmental factors and the psychology engendered by the system of slavery. Selected successful Black leaders will be invited to visit the class from time to time. (Same as AMS 340).
Cross-listed with AMS 340
AAAS 332 Introduction to African Literature (3) WH, NW
Reading, analysis, and discussion of contemporary fiction, poetry, and drama from sub-Sahara Africa. Brief attention will be paid to historical development and to traditional literature. (Same as ENGL 326.)
Prerequisite: ENGL 102 and one 200-level English course or consent of instructor.
Satisfies Non-Western Culture requirement
AAAS 333 Introduction to Caribbean Literature (3) WH
Reading, analysis, and discussion of contemporary fiction, poetry, and drama from the Caribbean, including a small selection of Spanish, French, and Dutch Antillean works in translation. (Same as ENGL 339)
Prerequisite: ENGL 102 and one 200-level English course or consent of instructor.
AAAS 334 Introduction to African Dance Theatre (2) U, NW
Introduction to the general techniques of non-verbal theatrical conventions in African cultures. Practical training in movement vocabulary supplemented by lectures on the "text" of performance. There will be an end of semester "studio performance".
Cross-listed with DANCE 230 and TH&F 226.
AAAS 335 Introduction to Southern African Literature (3) WH, NW
This course deals with the literatures of the southern Africa region, including works by both women and men from South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Zaire, Zimbabwe, and Mauritius. Course includes close attention to the political and cultural bases of social conflict in the region.
AAAS 340 Women in Contemporary African Literature (3) H, NW
A critical study of issues and questions raised about women in contemporary African literature and implications for the larger society through the analysis of theme, language, characterization, roles and functions of women in selected works. (Same as WS 330.)
AAAS 349 Islam (3) NW
Islam's Origins, the prophet Muhammed, the Holy Koran, religious symbols and moral mandates, and historical developments. (Same as REL 350)
AAAS 350 Physical Geography of Africa (3) N
This course is a survey of the basic physical features of the African continent including structure and relief, rivers and lakes, soils and mineral resources. It includes characteristics and processes of African climates, and the ecology of Africa's four major biomes: tropical rain forest, savanna, steppe, and desert. Climatic and environmental variations of the past, emergence of humankind, and development of pastoral and farming systems are discussed. Contemporary environmental concerns also include deforestation and desertification, the impacts of drought, methods for monitoring African environments, and Africa's prospects in a 21st century suffering from global warming. (Same as GEOG 350).
AAAS 351 Africa's Human Geographies (3) WS, NW
An introduction to historical, cultural, social, political, and economic issues in Africa from a geographic perspective. The course begins with the historical geography of humanity in Africa, from ancient times through to the present. Other topics include cultural dynamics, demography, health, rural development, urbanization, gender issues, and political geography. Case studies from Eastern and Southern Africa will be used to illustrate major themes. (Same as GEOG 351.)
AAAS 355 African Theatre & Drama (3) WH, NW
A study of the origin and development of continental African theatre and its affinity to the Levant. Traditional, colonial and contemporary dramatic theories and experiments will be examined in play selections.
Cross-listed with TH&F 326
AAAS 356 African-American Theatre & Drama (3) H
A historical study of Black theatre in the U.S.A. from its African genesis to its contemporary Americanness. Epochs in African-American dramaturgy will be critically examined.
Cross-listed with TH&F 327
AAAS 360 Introduction to West African History (Same as HIST 160)
This course treats West African history through the first part of the twentieth century. The student is provided with a perspective on the major historical patterns that have rise to West Africa's development as an integral part of world history. Special attention is paid to anthropological, geographical, and technological developments that influenced West African political and socioeconomic changes. (Same as HIST 160)
AAAS 370 Introduction to the Languages of Africa (3) WH, NW
A survey of the indigenous languages of Africa from a linguistic perspective, covering the main language families and their geographic distribution, and focusing on the features and structure of the more widely spoken and representative languages in each family (e.g. Fula, Hausa, Maninka, Swahili, Yoruba). (Same as LING 370.)
AAAS 376 West African Art (3) WH, NW
Introduction to the rich visual art traditions of West Africa. Emphasis is given to the major art-producing cultures of the Western Sudan and the Guinea Coast, including the prehistoric cultures of the Western Sudan and the Guinea Coast, including the prehistoric cultures of Nigeria, Mali, and Ghana. The diverse forms of figure sculptures and masquerade performance and meanings of these arts in historical and cultural contexts are examined. (Same as HA 376)
AAAS 388 The Black Woman (3) WS
An interdisciplinary study of the role of Black women in our society, from the African background through the plantation experience to the present.
Prerequisite: One course in the social sciences and/or humanities or consent of instructor.
AAAS 400 Readings in: ____________ (3) U
Investigation of a subject selected by a student in consultation with a departmental advisor and conducted under supervision. Individual reports and conferences. Open only to junior and senior majors who have completed two required courses plus one elective course in the major concentration. Cannot be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor
AAAS 415 Women and Islam (3) WH, NW
Addresses the widely-held stereotype of Muslim women as pawns in patriarchal socio-religious context. Investigating the Muslim cultures of certain regions, the course will examine the manner in which indigenous culture was influenced by the introduction of Islam and the historical impact of Islam on women's social roles. Focusing principally on social change in the 20th century, roles where religion is integrally involved in daily life. To what extent is individualism valued, and how are the pressures of the late 20th century life mediated? The course will draw on texts from history, sociology, and literature.
Same as AAAS 520
Satisfies Non-Western Culture requirement
AAAS 420 Intercultural Communications: The Afro-American (3) WH
An examination of the barriers to effective communication between Black Americans and non-Black Americans.
Cross-listed with COMS 447
Prerequisite: Skills in basic composition essential.
AAAS 432 Francophone African Literature (3) WH, NW
This course is an introduction to 20th century African literature written in French covering selected works by major authors from both sub-Saharan Africa and the Maghreb. Attention will be given primarily to the novel, although some poetry will also be read. Topics and themes include negritude, African identity in the wake of colonialism, Islam, and women's writing. Classes will be conducted in English. Students may read text in French or in translation. (Same as FREN 432.)
Prerequisite: ENGL 102 and a 200-level English course.
AAAS 433 Islamic Literature (3) WH, NW
Contemporary literature that is set in the context of Muslim cultures provide for an examination of Muslim identity on its own terms. This course focuses on the literary examination of works by Muslim authors from Egypt, Sudan, Senegal, Guinea, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, and Niger. From the perspectives of both male and female authors, the issue of what it means to be a Muslim is considered through fictional accounts set in contemporary contexts. Some works will be read in translation from Arabic or French; others are written originally in English. Cultures considered in this course vary widely in their origins and customs, which allows for a focus on the one pervasive element they share in common: Islam as it shapes people's lives.
Cross-listed with ENG 479
Same as AAAS 520
AAAS 434 African Women Writers (3) WH, NW
This course focuses on four decades of African women's writing from all regions of the continent. Works included deal with a wide variety of issues of conceptions of gender roles, and the struggle to attain personal rights and freedom within traditional cultural frameworks.
AAAS 435 Muslim Women's Autobiography (3) WH, NW
This course examines the realities of Muslim women's experience as conveyed in their own voices. Works are drawn from all over the world, from Africa and the Middle East to Europe and the U.S. and cover the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
AAAS 440 The Afro-American Family: A Psychological Approach (3) S
The examination of the structure, values, and behavior patterns of the contemporary African-American family as influenced by African cultures and kinship systems and the institution of slavery in association with other factors. Social and psychological forces that have enhanced or blocked family survival, stability, and advancement will be explored. The orientation of Black family life will emphasize its strengths, weaknesses, adaptations, strong kinship bonds, and equalitarian family roles. (Same as PSYC 440.)
AAAS 445 Arab Thought and Identity (3) WH, NW
Intention of this course is to present a comprehensive portrait and a deeper understanding of the Arab society and its cultural background. We will focus on the debate that is still raging about traditionalism versus modernity, and authenticity (assala) and specificity (Khususiyya) versus westernization. Moreover, we will discuss the question of Arab identity which manifests itself through a sense of belonging and diversity of affiliations, and relies as well on shared culture and its variations, and shared place in history and common experiences. It is designed for any student interested in this ethnic group.
AAAS 450 Popular Culture in the Muslim World (3). NW
A study of pop songs, television, comics and other idioms of popular culture from different parts of the Muslim world, with attention to Muslims' sense of humor, tragedy, aesthetics, and pertinent issues of the day. (Same as REL 450.)
AAAS 460 Topics and Problems in African & African-American Studies (1-3) WH
Individual investigation of special topics in African and African-American studies. May not be repeated for credit toward the major.
Prerequisite: Six hours in & African-American Studies or consent of instructor
AAAS 470 Language and Society in Africa (3) WH, NW
Examines issues and problems associated with language use in sub-Saharan Africa from a sociological perspective. Topics covered include and overview of the types of languages spoken on the continent; indigenous languages, colonial languages, pidgins and creoles, and Arabic as a religious language; problems associated with the politics of literacy and language planning, writing and standardization of indigenous languages; and the cultural and ideological dilemmas of language choice.
Prerequisite: AAAS 103 or AAAS 305 or LING 104 or LING 106 or consent of instructor
Cross-listed with LING 470
AAAS 496 Field Experience (3) WH
A supervised placement in practical situations where students actively participate in organized work with the community, to be completed with an acceptable paper. The course may be taken in the United States, Caribbean, or Africa to meet the B.A. degree requirement in African and African-American Studies. Open only to junior and senior majors or by consent of the department.
AAAS 501 Regional History: __________ (3) WH
A survey of the major political, social, economic and intellectual trends in a region of Africa or the Americas.
Prerequisite: Five hours of distribution courses in history
AAAS 502 Directed Language Study: __________ (5) U
Study of an African language at Elementary I and Elementary II levels under individual supervision and with the aid of self-instructional material. Open only to juniors and seniors in good standing and graduate students only with the permission of the department. May be repeated for up to 10 credit hours. Cannot be used to fulfill B.A. foreign language requirement.
AAAS 503 Directed Language Study: ___________ (3) U
Study of an African language at Intermediate I and Intermediate II levels under the supervision and with the aid of self-instructional material. Open only to junior and senior in good standing and graduate students only with the permission of the department. May be repeated up to 6 credit hours. Cannot be used to fulfill B.A. foreign language requirement
AAAS 504 Directed Language Study: __________ (5) U
Study of an African language at Advanced I and Advanced II levels under individual supervision and with the aid of self-instructional material. Open only to juniors and seniors in good standing and graduate students only with the permission of the department. May be repeated for up to 10 credit hours. Cannot be used to fulfill B.A. foreign language requirement.
AAAS 505 Directed Language Study: ___________ (3) U
Study of an African language at native speaker or near native speaker level under the supervision and with the aid of self-instructional material. Open only to junior and senior in good standing and graduate students only with the permission of the department. May be repeated up to 6 credit hours. Cannot be used to fulfill B.A. foreign language requirement.
AAAS 510 Comparative Racial and Ethnic Relations (3) S, NW
An examination of race and ethnicity around the world. Emphasis will be on the social, political, and economic factors that lead to the creation, ethnic movements, and ethnic political organization. Racial and ethnic relations in the U.S. will be compared with other countries.
Major focus will be on ethnicity in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. (Same as SOC 534.)
AAAS 511 The Civil Rights Movement (3) H
An examination of the Civil Rights Movement in American History. Emphasis is placed the activities of major Civil Rights organizations, Civil Rights legislation and its impact on American life, and conflicts between integrationist and separatist forces in politics, education, culture and race relations in the United States.
AAAS 512 African and Western Cosmologies (3) WH
Ancient and modern Western world view will be compared to African world views, with special attention paid to the ways these are supported in the underpinnings of sociocultural institutions.
Prerequisite: A course in African Studies and a course in the philosophy of science or consent of instructor.
AAAS 520 African Studies in ____________ (3) WH, NW
Upper level lecture and discussion courses in African areas of current interest and/or taking advantage of faculty resources in topics relevant to the major. May be repeated for credit toward the major.
Prerequisite: Junior-Senior in good standing
AAAS 522 African and African-American Religion: __________ (3) WH
Historical development, systematic ideas and rites of selected periods, cultural settings, and movements.
Prerequisite: Five hours of distribution courses in the humanities or AAAS 512 and consent of instructor
AAAS 523 African-American Studies In: ______________ (3) WH
Upper level lecture and discussion courses in African-American area of current interest and/or taking advantage of faculty resources in topics relevant to the major. May be repeated for credit toward the major.
Prerequisite: Junior/Senior in good standing.
AAAS 525 Social History of Black Aging in America (3) WH
The purpose of this course is to provide a comprehensive historical examination of American society's changing attitudes and responses to aging and older adults, with emphasis on the Black aged. Beginning with the African background where older adults were highly valued, the course explores the impact of slavery, the industrial Revolution, urbanization and the development of the youth-oriented culture prevalent in the United States today. Subsequently, the course focuses on the emergence of twentieth century social gerontological problems and the role of the modern Black movements, public agencies, and private organizations in addressing the issues. Film, essays, each historical period.
Prerequisite: AAAS 103 or AAAS 105 or AAAS 106 or a course in American history, or consent of instructor.
AAAS 527 Popular Culture in Africa (3) WS
This course examines multiple expressions of popular culture in contemporary Africa, focusing on the aesthetics of forms such as music, theater, dress, street art, and popular literary genres, as well as the social themes they deal with and the societies that produce them. The approach will be based on a critical reconsideration of notions such as traditional versus modern culture, elite versus folk art, westernization, and cultural hybridity, in order to find better ways of discussing the cultural vibrancy of everyday life in contemporary Africa.
AAAS 532 Studies in Islam (3) H
Study of religious thought, practice, and institutions of Islam with an emphasis on the examination of primary documents. (Same as REL 532.)
AAAS 534 The Rhetoric of Black Americans (3) WH
A study of the rhetoric of Black Americans, from their earliest protest efforts to the contemporary scene, with the focus on the methods and themes employed to alter their status in American society.
Cross-listed with COMS 551
Prerequisite: COMS 131. Skills in basic composition essential
AAAS 542 The History of Islam in Africa (3) WH, NW
A study of the history and institutions of Islam in Africa. Emphasis will be placed on the impact of Islam on African traditional religions and African civilization in general; the historiographical traditions of Islam in Africa.
Prerequisite: Five hours of distribution courses in the humanities
Cross-listed with REL 535
AAAS 543 Language and Culture in Arabic-Speaking Communities (3) NW
The course examines the links between language structure, patterns, of use, language choice, and language attitudes in the diglossic and bi-lingual Arabic speaking communities. It also explores language as a reflector and creator of Arab culture (e.g. linguistic encoding of politeness, the Quranic text as the spoken and written word, the role of tropes in Arabic rhetoric). The topics for discussion range from the micro-level language choice to the macro-level issues of national language policies and planning within the domain of government and education across the Arab world. (Same as LING 543)
AAAS 550 Senior Seminar in: _______ (3) WH
Small discussion groups, each designed to consider a specific, clearly defined topic, using an interdisciplinary approach and requiring the demonstration of a comprehensive knowledge of the fundamentals in the field as appropriate to the topic. Class discussion based on student presentations.
Prerequisite: Senior majors; special departmental permission for other seniors
AAAS 551 Environmental Issues in Africa (3) S
Acquaints students with the complexities of debates on environmental problems in Sub-Saharan Africa. Topics addressed may include deforestation, desert expansion, wildlife conservation, soil erosion, climate change, coral reef destruction, water resources development, mangrove preservation, and the environmental effects of war, industrialization, and urbanization. Class presentations and projects synthesize the perspectives of both human and physical geography. (Same as GEOG 550.)
Prerequisite: GEOG 104 or permission of instructor.
AAAS 552 Classical Islamic Literature (3) NW
An examination of major developments in classical Islamic literature in the Middle East and beyond, with the attention to the poetic and prose works (in translation) the emerged from them. (Same as REL 552.)
AAAS 553 Geography of African Development (3) S, NW
Acquaints students with the values and social parameters of African agricultural and pastoral practice. Topics include customary land rights, African perspectives on the natural world, gender issues in African agriculture, and the urbanization of African cultures. The course also contrasts African views with those of Western development practitioners and donor agencies. Case studies from different countries are used to highlight the continent's regional differences.
Cross-listed with GEOG 553
AAAS 554 Contemporary Health Issues in Africa (3) S
The course examines health and nutrition an African communities, using methods of biological and medical anthropology. Fundamental to the approach taken in the course is the understanding that the health of human groups depends on interactions between biological and cultural phenomena in a particular ecological context. One topic will be selected per semester, to examine in detail the full array of epidemiological factors contributing to patterns of specific diseases. AIDS, childhood diseases and reproductive health of African women are among possible topics. Course material will be selected from scholarly and medical publications, as well as coverage in the popular media. The use of a variety of sources will enhance understanding of the biological and cultural issues involved, and will help students identify possible bias and misinformation in popular coverage of events such as famine or epidemic in African settings.
Prerequisite: An introductory course in either Anthropology of African Studies
Cross-listed with ANTH 545
AAAS 555 African Film and Video (3) H, NW
A critical study of Africa and its peoples as depicted in films and videos. The aesthetic, cultural, economic, political, historical, and ideological aspects of African films and videos will be examined. (Same as TH&F 530.)
AAAS 560 Race, Gender, and Post-Colonial Discourses (3) H
An examination of the ways in which the concept of race, gender, and post-colonial frame African literatures from the Caribbean, North America, and the continent itself. The course will focus on these discourses grounding them in critical frameworks within which they can be contextually analyzed and evaluated, at the same time examining their impact in literacy praxis and theory.
Cross-listed with WS 560
AAAS 574 Slavery in the New World (3) WH
Slavery, slave culture, and the slave trade in the U.S., Latin America, and the Caribbean will be examined comparatively. Attention will also be given to African cultures, the effects of the slave trade on Africa, and the effects of African cultures on institutions in the New World. (Same as HIST 574.)
AAAS 578 Central African Art (3) WH, NW
Introduction to the arts and cultures of Central Africa. Emphasis is given to the major art-producing cultures of the Equatorial forest and the Southern Savanna regions of Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Zaire, and Angola. The historical and cultural contexts for the visual arts associated with centralized leadership and non-centralized societies are explored.
Cross-listed with HA 578
AAAS 584 Black American Literature (3) H
A study of the literature written by Black Americans from the pre-Civil War period to the present. Emphasis upon specific historical periods in the development of Black literature as well as on critical analysis of major autobiographical, poetic, and fictional works.
AAAS 585 Race and the American Theatre (3) U
The representation(s) of race in significant texts and performance styles in American theatre analyzed according to political ideologies, dramatic movements and the impact of these factors on the representation of the “other” in the theatre. (Same as AMS 529 and TH&F 529).
AAAS 590 The Rise and Fall of Apartheid (3) H
This course will deal with the last fifty years of South African history during which apartheid came to be formulated, supported, and perpetuated, and the forces that were responsible for its disintegration by 1990. Reference will also be made to the transformation process since April 1994.
Cross-listed with HIST 599
AAAS 598 Sexuality and Gender in African History (3) H
An examination of the history of sexuality and gender in Africa with a focus on the 19th and 20th centuries. Major issues and methods in the historical scholarship on gender and sexuality will be covered. Topics of historical analysis include life histories, rites of passage, courtship, marriage, reproduction, education, masculinities, homosexuality, colonial control, and changing gender relations. Prior course work in African history is suggested. (Same as HIST 598)
AAAS 600 Politics in Africa (3) S, NW
A survey of politics in Africa, focused on the countries of sub-Saharan or Black Africa. The course includes a historical discussion of pre-colonial Africa, colonization and the creation of contemporary states, and the politics of independence, before examining contemporary political systems and the forces influencing patterns of politics on the continent.
Prerequisite: POLS 150 or AAAS 105 or AAAS 305 or consent of instructor
Cross-listed with POLS 665
AAAS 602 U.S. Policy—Post-Colonial World (3) S
Focuses on the 20th century U.S. political, military, and economic relations with Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Examines the impact of the international environment, ideology, the foreign policy bureaucracy, congress, domestic factors, and individual leaders on U.S. policy choices. Evaluation of policy implementation and outcomes. (Same as POLS 682.)
Prerequisite:Nine hours of political science, including POLS 170/POLS 171 and POLS 150/POLS 151, or permission of instructor.
AAAS 650 Sufism (3) NW
A survey a developments in Sufi (Islamic Mystical) thought, poetry, ritual throughout Muslim history and across the Muslim world. (Same as REL 650.)
Prerequisite: AAAS 349/ REL 350 or permission of instructor.
AAAS 676 West African Art (3) WH, NW
Introduction to the rich visual art traditions of West Africa. Emphasis is given to the major art producing cultures of the Western Sudan and the Guinea Coast, including the archaeological cultures of Nigeria, Mali, and Ghana. The diverse forms of figure sculptures and masquerade performance and meanings of these arts in historical and cultural contexts are examined. This course requires more intensive work than AAAS 376 and is open to upper division and graduate students only. Not open to students who have taken AAAS 376/HA 376. (Same as HA 676.)
AAAS 677 African Design (3) WH, NW
A survey of sub-Saharan African media, emphasizing textiles, ceramics, metal and bead work, the artist's techniques, working methods and apprenticeship, and historical and contemporary cultural contexts, including the influence of tourism and the international art market on artistic production and style. Open to juniors, seniors, and graduate students only. (Same as HA 677.)
Prerequisite: AAAS 376 or HA 376, or AAAS 578, or HA 578, or an introductory course in art history at the college level, or consent of instructor.
AAAS 679 African Expressive Culture: _______ WH, NW
An in-depth examination of an artistic tradition shared by a number of African cultures. Discussion includes historical development related to style, use and meaning and other relevant issues. Open to juniors, seniors, and graduate students only. (Same as HA 679.)
Prerequisite: AAAS 376 or HA 376, or AAAS 578, or HA 578, or an introductory course in art history at the college level, or consent of instructor.
AAAS 680 Introduction to Modern Africa (3) WH
An interdisciplinary approach to cross-cultural understanding of Africa's place in the modern world. Specific emphasis will be given to the role of Africa in world history, African cultures, modern African history, and problems of development and nation building in Africa.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor
AAAS 690 Investigation and Conference (1-3) WH
Individual and supervised readings in selected areas of African and African-American studies which will be an investigation of a subject selected by the student with the advice and direction of an instructor. Individual reports and conferences.
Prerequisite: Seniors and consent of department.
AAAS 695 Honors Project in: _____________ (3) H
An individual research project in African-American or African studies under the direction of a specialist in the area of the student's interest, the results of the project to be presented in written form and to be defended before a committee of three faculty members as provided for under the requirements for Honors.
Majors only and permission of instructor
AAAS 700 Africa in World Politics (3)
AAAS 715 Seminar in African Art (3)
AAAS 774 Topics in Literature of Africa and the African Diaspora (3)

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