Introduction to the Major
African American Studies(link is external) 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(link is external) with the Department of Ethnic Studies.
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
-
Apply to the African American Theme Program(link is external)
-
Get involved in a student organization such as the Black Student Union(link is external)
-
Experience life off campus with study abroad(link is external) or a semester at a HBCU.
-
Complete a summer minor in Race and the Law(link is external)
-
Join the Clark Institute(link is external), a community of engaged scholars of African American Studies.
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(link is external) of recent Berkeley graduates.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House(link is external) in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation(link is external) program for all new students and AAS department workshops for majors.
Events
Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit africam.berkeley.edu(link is external) for news and updates.
Advising
Students can schedule appointments and send general advising questions to Althea Grannum-Cummings at cummings@berkeley.edu(link sends e-mail)
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.