Why Major in Africana Studies?

The world is increasingly interconnected, and corporations are becoming more international each day. Succeeding in this global environment requires a diverse and interdisciplinary breadth of knowledge. Africana Studies helps you build this knowledge.   
  
Learn why you should consider this field and how the online Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) in Africana Studies from LSU Alexandria can support your career.   

What is Africana Studies?  

Africana Studies is an interdisciplinary field that examines the history, culture, and politics of people of African descent in Africa and the diaspora. The online BGS in Africana Studies offers an opportunity to explore this rich and complex subject in depth. This program includes courses in African American Studies, the African Diaspora, and African Studies. These courses provide a broad general education with a diverse humanities and arts curriculum.   

What kind of classes will I take?  

The online BGS in Africana Studies provides opportunities to study history, culture, philosophy, race, literature, politics, music, and film while focusing on the Black Africana experience. The program also includes two enrichment areas that allow you to expand your educational perspectives.   
  
Classes include:  
AFST 2001 - Introduction to Africana Studies   
AFST 3030 - Black Musical Traditions   
AFST 3099 - Selected Topics in Africana Studies   
RELG 4020 - African Religion   
ENGL 3030 - American Slave Narratives  
ENGL 4300 - African American Cinema  
ENGL 4674 - Major African-American Writers  
HIST 2061 - African-American History  
PHIL 4020 - Race in America   
  
The Minor in Africana Studies is an interdisciplinary minor that includes courses in Africana Studies, English, History, Philosophy, and Religion.  It requires 18 credit hours.  

What professions will a degree in Africana Studies prepare me for?

Students majoring in the online BGS in Africana Studies continue to graduate school or go on to a broad range of professional careers in government, health care, research, public policy, human resources, sales, or teaching.   

What skills will I acquire studying Africana Studies?  

The online bachelor's degree program in Africana Studies attracts traditional and non-traditional students returning to complete their bachelor's degrees. Students today are very mindful of the importance of diversity and inclusivity. They are aware of the diversity of experiences and perceptions, and they are attracted to fields that prepare them for the diversity of people in the workplace. Students are also attracted to disciplines that improve their critical thinking skills, writing, and research skills, which are sought-after skills by many businesses. This program provides these skills and more.   

Hear from Current Students   

ENGL 4674 – African American Writers  

Latoya Garrett 
“Deciding to take English 4674 Major African American Writers is one of the best decisions I have made academically. I was pleasantly surprised to see a class offering the opportunity to read literature by people who look like me, and this class did not disappoint. As a part of Africana Studies, this class explores and analyzes African Americans' experience in America as well as historical accounts of Black culture. Some of the selected contributing Black writers of the literary canon proficiently detail personal experiences through essays and autobiographies, giving a titillating reading experience while other Black writers allow readers an intimate peep into their captivating art of storytelling. The literature is truly engaging, revolutionary, and inspiring. In addition to the literature, Dr. Robison's engagement with her students and her consistent feedback also made the class a joy. I can honestly say that I am leaving this class with a better understanding of the history of African Americans in the United States, and the literature appropriately aligns with the political, social, and economic atmosphere in the Black community today. I encourage anyone who is interested in Africana Studies and America's history to take English 4674 Major African American Writers.” 
  
   
PHIL 4020 - Race in America  
  
Tay'la Brown  
"This class helped me put into words how it feels to be Black in America. In my past history classes, we were only told about what happened during slavery, the civil rights movement, and Jim Crow, but never about how these times affect us now. For example, some Black people have PTSD from experiences they never lived or how we unconsciously do things, such as having a 'double consciousness'... From the topics in this class, I have had meaningful, in-depth conversations with friends who wanted to talk about this stuff but never knew exactly how. This class taught me a lot and made me think about how I felt as a person and, more importantly, a black person in America."  
   
  
Kelly Easterling  
"As I read through this course content, it became so much more apparent to me how and why our modern racial tensions exist, in particular against the Black community. This course illustrated well the nature of slavery and the treatment of enslaved people and how that evolved through the reconstruction period and into the Civil Rights Movement. I learned that so much of what we see and experience today, from Black churches to ghettos and redlining to violence against the Black community, is the specter of slavery.  
  
People don't often associate modern racial challenges in America with slavery. It almost seems outlandish to claim that what is happening in today's society is the carryover of slavery, but I've learned that it is...After going through this course, I now more clearly see the similarities between the treatment of enslaved people and the treatment of present-day Black Americans. While it is dismaying to see this happening, understanding this history and how it has evolved into what we're witnessing today helps support taking critical steps toward true liberation and freedom."  

Gain an Interdisciplinary Education with LSU Alexandria

The online Bachelor of General Studies in Africana Studies equips you with a unique perspective, critical thinking skills, and a deep understanding of global issues. By exploring the history, cultures, and experiences within the African diaspora, you'll gain valuable insights that can be applied to a wide range of fields.   
  
Ready to take the first step? Learn more about the program, and apply today!