Introduction to the Major
African American Studies exposes students to the social, political, and cultural history of African-descended people in the modern world. While its primary focus is on the United States, the program places African Americans within a broader global dialogue about the evolving function of race.
The Department of African American Studies offers a major and minor in African American Studies, as well as a joint minor in Race and the Law with the Department of Ethnic Studies.
“I initially sought out this major in an attempt to learn more about myself. In turn, I actually found myself, I found knowledge, I found the world, and I found peace.”
- Kristin Therese Jones, African American Studies & Rhetoric major
The Major Curriculum
Along with three lower division courses, students in the African American Studies major will complete eight courses focused on black intellectual thought, colonialism and slavery, and research. Additionally, each student will work with their advisor to choose a concentration area. Students will also complete a senior capstone course that guides majors in the process of consolidating their intellectual experience as they work toward carving out the next stage of their professional lives.
Amplify Your Major
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Apply to the African American Theme Program
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Get involved in a student organization such as the Black Student Union
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Experience life off campus with study abroad or a semester at a HBCU.
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Complete a summer minor in Race and the Law
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Join the Clark Institute, a community of engaged scholars of African American Studies.
First Year
Explore Your Major
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Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
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Familiarize yourself with major and college requirements.
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Start on the lower division requirements (AFRICAM 4A, 5A and 5B).
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Consider taking an African language like AFRICAM 11A: Elementary Swahili.
Connect and Build Community
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Get 1:1 mentoring with Berkeley Connect in African American Studies
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Find study groups, tutoring, and academic support at the Student Learning Center
- Consider applying to the African American Theme Program.
Discover Your Passions
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Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar like AFRICAM 24, L&S 1, or a student-run DeCal course
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Visit the Ethnic Studies Library in Stephens Hall and explore its collections.
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Get inspired with The Diaspora newsletter
Engage Locally and Globally
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Attend the Calapalooza student activities fair and get involved with a student organization.
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Find service opportunities through the Public Service Center
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Explore study, internship, and research abroad options with Berkeley Study Abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Visit Berkeley Career Engagement and the Career Counseling Library
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Develop a plan for getting career ready.
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Sign up for Handshake and CareerMail
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Explore career fields in the Career Connections Networking Series or the Cal Job Shadow Program.
Second Year
Explore Your Major
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Complete the three lower division prerequisites and declare the major.
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Once declared, start on upper division requirements (AFRICAM 100, 101, 116, and 195).
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Review major guidelines for study abroad
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Consider doing the Race and the Law minor.
Connect and Build Community
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Join a student organization such as the Black Student Union
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Check out resources from African American Student Development
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Apply to the Clark Institute and join a community of scholars in African American Studies.
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Get to know professors and graduate student instructors during their office hours.
Discover Your Passions
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Continue with a Sophomore Seminar, Big Ideas Course or Discovery Course
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Assist faculty in their research through URAP
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Planning study or research in Africa? Apply for the Geist and Rosberg Fellowship
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Enrich your studies with a certificate, course thread, or summer minor like Race and the Law.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Work with a community organization in an American Cultures Engaged Scholarship course
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Join the student leadership team of African American Student Development
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Consider a Berkeley Global Internship in the United States or abroad.
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Get involved with the Black Recruitment and Retention Center.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Reflect on your education so far and continue to set goals for yourself.
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Discuss career options and goals with a Career Educator
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Think about doing an internship and attend an internship fair
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Learn about graduate and professional school. See Step-by-Step for planning help.
Third Year
Explore Your Major
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Focus on upper division requirements and electives.
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Meet with your major advisor to discuss your elective cluster or area of concentration.
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Start thinking about your senior capstone course (AFRICAM 195).
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Ask the major advisor about the African American Studies honors program.
Connect and Build Community
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Attend African American Studies events
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Welcome new students to UC Berkeley through Black Welcome Month and Golden Bear Orientation
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Check out events sponsored by the Ethnic Studies Department or the Multicultural Community Center.
Discover Your Passions
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Explore campus centers and institutes like the Center for African Studies, Center for Race & Gender, Center for Research on Social Change, Institute for the Study of Societal Issues, and Othering & Belonging Institute
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Planning a senior thesis or project? Apply to the Haas Scholars Program, SURF, or Center for Race and Gender Student Grants Program.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Experience life at another UC or college on a visitor and exchange program. Check out Berkeley’s exchange with Howard University, Fisk University, Spelman College and Morehouse College.
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Study and intern in Washington D.C. with UCDC or Cal in the Capital.
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Contribute to youth participatory action research through the Berkeley Black Scholars Project.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
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Discuss post-graduate options with advisors and professors.
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Attend career and graduate school fairs like the “Nonprofit, Education, & Public Service Career Fair.”
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Ask professors and graduate student instructors for recommendation letters.
Fourth Year
Explore Your Major
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Complete AFRICAM 195 during fall semester.
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Do a degree check to ensure you are on track to graduate
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Complete any “bucket list” courses and remaining major, college, and campus requirements.
Connect and Build Community
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Join a professional association such as the National Association of African American Studies
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Connect with alumni groups such as the Black Alumni Association and build your network as you prepare to graduate.
Discover Your Passions
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Teach your own DeCal course
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Undertake an optional honors thesis or independent study and submit your work to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal
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Keep pursuing your interests through a fellowship or gap year after graduation.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Hone your leadership skills with the Peter E. Haas Public Service Leaders program
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Interested in a public service career? Apply for the John Gardner Fellowship
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Explore service opportunities after graduation, such as Peace Corps, Teach for America, or U.S. Department of State
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Utilize job board tools in your job search.
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Meet employers at Employer Info Sessions and On-Campus Recruiting
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Apply to jobs, graduate school, and other opportunities.
With its interdisciplinary strengths in history, culture, and social and political institutions, the African American Studies major provides students with skills in research, criticism, and writing that our graduates have taken to a variety of professional paths, including teaching, government and policy work, employment in mass media, professional schools (law, medicine, business), and graduate study in multiple fields.
Jobs and Employers
- Art History Lecturer, UC Berkeley
- Assoc. Professor, Florida State University
- Career Development Coord., Unitek College
- Executive Consultant, Self-Care Consulting
- Founder, Infinite Potential Africa
- Independence Facilitator, Aspire Public Schools
- Interim Campus Director, Flatiron School
- Public Health Nurse, County of San Mateo
- Recruiting Coordinator, Segment
- Obama Admin/Special Asst. and Personal Aide to the First Lady
- Technical Sourcer, Allstate
Graduate Programs
- African-American/Black Studies, Masters/PhD
- African Diaspora Studies, PhD
- American Culture Studies, PhD
- Curriculum and Instruction, Masters
- Sociology, Masters/PhD
Examples gathered from LinkedIn and the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students and AAS department workshops for majors.
Events
Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit africam.berkeley.edu for news and updates.
Advising
Students can schedule appointments and send general advising questions to Althea Grannum-Cummings at cummings@berkeley.edu
Advising Drop-In Hours
Tuesday & Thursday, 10am-12pm, 1-4pm (in-person)
Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 10am-12pm (Zoom)
How to Use this Map
Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.
