Africana Studies is an interdisciplinary major degree-granting program which provides to the University community the African-American perspective to issues relevant to the education of all people, especially African Americans, for the 21st century. Some of the program courses are cross-listed with Political Science, Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies, American Studies, English, Communication and Journalism and other departments. All of these courses may be taken toward a degree, substitutes for required courses may be made with prior approval of the student’s major department, or as electives.
The Charlie Morrisey Research Hall is a repository of documents including photographs, rare books and artifacts documenting the presence of Africans and African-Americans in New Mexico in particular and the Southwest in general. Presently, the Hall has more than 4,000 photographs, books and other documents.
The CMR Hall also organizes public lectures and panel discussions. These lectures and panels address the presence and contributions of Africans and African-Americans to the Southwest. Periodically, the CMR Hall organizes major exhibitions of its rare photographs and other artifacts. Interested organizations may request rental of the Hall’s traveling exhibition of The Charlie Morrisey collections of rare photographs and artifacts.
The “African Field History Experience” Project was established in 2000. The Project subscribes to the holistic approach to education. Its main goal is to bridge the gap between the intellectual encounter with Africana Studies courses and the experiential. Therefore, students participate in a 2-3 week educational excursion and research experience in an African Community. Students earn 3-6 undergraduate or graduate credit hours.
Courses
AFST 101.
Swahili I.
(3)
(Also offered as SWAH 101)
Foundation course for all beginning students interested in reading or speaking the language.
{Offered upon demand}
AFST 102.
Swahili II.
(3)
(Also offered as SWAH 102)
This course builds directly upon AFST 101, and is designed to bring the students beyond a novice-intermediate or intermediate level of competence.
Prerequisite: 101.
AFST 103.
Foundation of Africana Studies.
(3)
An exploration of the philosophical basis for the creation and the existence of African-American Studies program.
{Fall, Spring}
AFST 104.
Introduction to Africana Studies.
(3)
An interdisciplinary course that introduce students to the histories, cultures, and experiences of global people of African descent.
AFST 106.
Elementary Arabic I.
(3)
(Also offered as ARAB 101)
A course in elementary modern standard Arabic.
AFST 107.
Elementary Arabic II.
(3)
(Also offered as ARAB 102)
A course for those with very minimal exposure to modern Arabic Language.
AFST 109.
Introduction to Comparative Global and Ethnic Societies.
(3)
(Also offered as CCS, NATV, SUST, WMST 109)
The course explores historical and contemporary social forces that impact ethnic communities across the Americas. Students will examine social and economic dynamics of Indigenous, Latino, Asian-Pacific, Africana communities, and women's experiences.
AFST 111.
Intensive Elementary Arabic I.
(6)
(Also offered as ARAB 111)
Intensive Arabic language course that develops students' Arabic skills to the ACTFL Novice High level and expands their cultural knowledge of the Arab world. Students may not receive credit for both ARAB 101 and 111.
AFST 112.
Intensive Elementary Arabic II.
(6)
(Also offered as ARAB 112)
Intensive Arabic language course that develops students' Arabic skills to the ACTFL Intermediate Low level and expands their cultural knowledge of the Arab world. Students may not receive credit for both ARAB 102 and 112.
AFST 115.
Communication Across Cultures.
(3)
(Also offered as CJ 115)
An introduction to communication among people from different cultural backgrounds, emphasizing intercultural relations. The class seeks to identify, honor and enhance the strengths of different cultural perspectives.
AFST 206.
Intermediate Arabic I.
(1)
(Also offered as ARAB 201)
The course covers the writing system, phonology, vocabulary, morphology and syntax structures of the Arabic language. Students will attend language laboratory to enhance their listening, comprehension and pronunciation skills.
AFST 207.
Intermediate Arabic II.
(3)
(Also offered as ARAB 202)
The course increases student’s reading, writing and speaking skills in Arabic including student’s knowledge of the writing system, the phonology, the vocabulary, the morphology and the syntax structures of the language. Language laboratory requirement is optional.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
AFST 211.
Intensive Intermediate Arabic I.
(6)
(Also offered as ARAB 211)
Intensive Arabic language course that develops students' Arabic skills to the ACTFL Intermediate Mid level and expands their cultural knowledge of the Arab world. Students may not receive credit for both ARAB 201 and 211.
AFST 212.
Intensive Intermediate Arabic II.
(6)
(Also offered as ARAB 212)
Intensive Arabic language course that develops students' Arabic skills to the ACTFL Intermediate High level and expands their cultural knowledge of the Arab world. Students may not receive credit for both ARAB 202 and 212.
AFST 249.
Race and the Black Male.
(3)
This course explores the historical construction of Black Manhood in America. Students in this class will critically analyze the construction of Black male identity in America within the contexts of education, religion and mass incarceration.
AFST 251.
African-American Literature I.
(3)
(Also offered as ENGL 281)
The course introduces students to the African American classics of the slavery era. Daily experiences of the characters in these books become the basis for discussing race, class, gender, revolt, freedom, peace and humanity.
AFST 255.
Black Women and the Diaspora.
(3)
(Also offered as WMST 255)
This survey course reviews the contributions of Black women to the Black Diasporic story.
AFST 280.
African-American Culture.
(3)
An analysis of the political, economic, religious and familial organization of African-American communities in the United States.
AFST 284.
African-American History I.
(3)
(Also offered as HIST 284)
A comprehensive survey of the story of African-Americans from pre-European days in Africa to the Civil War, U.S.
AFST 285.
African-American History II.
(3)
This course will explore each of the major historical events, Black leaders of those times and their influence on the social and political advancement of African-American from the Civil War to the present.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
AFST 297.
Interdisciplinary Topics.
(1-3)
Special topic courses in specialized areas of African-American Studies. Community Economic Development; Race and American Law; Culture and Personality.
AFST 299.
Black Leaders in the U.S..
(3)
A comparative study of major African-American leaders and their impact on race relations in the United States.
AFST 301.
Advanced Arabic I.
(3)
(Also offered as ARAB 301)
Improves functional use of Arabic language and culture. Class is for students with four years of Arabic study or for heritage speakers. Students will attend language laboratory to enhance their listening, comprehension, and pronunciation skills.
AFST 302.
Advanced Arabic II.
(3)
(Also offered as ARAB 302)
Improves functional use of Arabic language and culture. Class is for students with four semesters of Arabic study or for heritage speakers. Students will attend language laboratory to enhance their listening, comprehension, and pronunciation skills.
AFST 303.
Introduction to Black Liberation and Religion.
(3)
(Also offered as RELG 303)
Students will be introduced to the Black experience, which necessitates the redefinition of God and Jesus Christ in the lives of Black people as the struggle for transcendental and political freedom.
AFST 307.
Blacks in the U.S. West.
(3)
(Also offered as AMST 351)
A survey of the lives of Blacks in the American West (1528–1918).
AFST 309.
Black Politics.
(3)
(Also offered as POLS 309)
A study of the history and diverse educational and political maturation processes of elected American officials and functions of the political process.
{Fall}
AFST 315.
Race and the Law.
(3)
Explores the historical and contemporary treatment of race in the United States by the courts and the legislature, and the construction of race as a concept and position of identity through the law.
AFST 317.
Civil Rights Movement.
(3)
This course surveys the Civil Rights Movement, focusing on legal decisions, events, and consequences of the era. Black radicalism, federal policies, world affairs, the role/impact of gender, and post-Civil Rights America will be explored.
AFST 318.
Civil Rights Politics and Legislation.
(3)
(Also offered as POLS 318)
An analysis of the dynamics of the major events, issues and actors in the civil rights movement (and legislations) in view of the theories of U.S. politics.
Prerequisite: 103.
AFST 319.
Focus on Contemporary Egypt.
(3)
(Also offered as ARAB 319)
The course provides an introduction to political, social, and cultural movements in 20th and 21st century Egypt via academic and literary material and focuses on developing students' abilities to critically analyze media and current events.
AFST 320.
Arabic Study Abroad.
(1-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
(Also offered as ARAB 320)
An introduction to Arabic cultures and language through study abroad. Course locations vary according to course content.
AFST 322.
Africana Study Abroad.
(1-6 to a maximum of 9 Δ)
This course surveys the Civil Rights Movement, focusing on legal decisions, events, and consequences of the era. Black radicalism, federal policies, world affairs, the role/impact of gender, and post-Civil Rights America will be explored.
AFST 329.
Introduction to African Politics.
(3)
(Also offered as POLS 329)
An introductory course in the volatile politics in Africa. The various ideologies that underlie political movements and influence African governments will be explored.
AFST 333.
Black Political Theory.
(3)
Survey course of the literature and philosophy of the Black Diaspora.
AFST 334.
Black Public Intellectuals.
(3)
This course explores the African American intellectual tradition of engaging in critical thought and discourse about complex world problems.
AFST 355.
Black Womanist and Feminist Theories.
(3)
(Also offered as WMST 355)
This survey course critically explores the Black Woman's experience through Feminist and Womanist theories.
AFST 360.
Introduction to Harlem Renaissance.
(3)
This course introduces the art, literature, and music of the Harlem Renaissance and the development of Black identity. The course will also review the historic roots of the Black Arts Movement and Hip Hop Culture.
AFST 375.
Topics in Arabic Literature and Culture in Translation.
(3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
(Also offered as ARAB 375)
This course involves the study of Arabic literature and culture in translation. No knowledge of Arabic is required.
AFST 379.
North African Literature and Culture.
(3)
A look at the works of some of the major writers of North Africa and their portrayal of colonial and contemporary African issues.
AFST 380.
African Literature.
(3)
An analytical look at the works of major African writers and their usage of African symbols to portray Africa of the past, present and the future.
AFST 381.
African-American Literature II.
(3)
(Also offered as ENGL 381)
This is the second phase of a three-part journey through the African-American experience in search of humanity and peace. The vehicle is post-slavery books written by and about African-American people. Issues raised and the characters in the books provide the occasion for in-depth discussion of inhumanity, protests, self definition, race relationships, liberalism, etc.
AFST 385.
The African World.
(3)
An interdisciplinary introduction to the study of Africa; its political and economic geographies; its traditional and new societies; and its politics in global perspectives.
AFST 386.
Caribbean Peoples and Cultures [Peoples and Cultures of the Circum-Caribbean].
(3)
Outlines the sociocultural transformation of the region since 1492. Emphasis upon cultural legacies of, and resistance, to colonialism, the Afro-Caribbean and Hispanic heritages, and the contemporary trans-nationalization of island identities.
AFST 388.
Blacks in Latin America I.
(3)
A comprehensive analysis of the plight of Black people in Latin America as compared with their experiences in North America, from the 15th to 19th century.
AFST 391.
Problems.
(1-3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)
AFST 395.
Education and Colonial West Africa.
(3)
A study of European education and its psychological, sociological and cultural impact on traditional African society.
{Fall, Spring}
AFST 396.
Emancipation and Equality.
(3)
The course examines the ending of and aftermath of slavery focusing on Silversmith’s The First Emancipation and also the general emancipation of the Civil War era.
AFST *397.
Interdisciplinary Topics.
(1-3, no limit Δ)
Special topic courses in specialized areas of African-American Studies. African-American Literature; Sociopolitics: Africa; Politics of Southern Africa; Black Books III, Education and African-American Education and Free Society.
{Fall, Spring}
AFST 399.
Culture and Education.
(3)
Analysis of the different child-rearing practices and their effects on the academic performances of children. Analyzes the role of culture in education.
AFST 453.
African American Art.
(3)
(Also offered as ARTH 453)
This class provides an overview of African American artists and contextualizes their creativity within the wider framework of U.S. art. What, for example, are the benefits and pitfalls of assigning race to any creative practice?
AFST 475.
Topics in Literature and Culture in Arabic.
(3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
(Also offered as ARAB 475)
This course involves the study of Arabic literature and culture in the original language. Advanced abilities in Arabic are required.
AFST *491.
African-American Religious Traditions.
(3)
(Also offered as RELG 491)
This course will examine the bipolarity of religion in African-American history, showing how Black religion in the U.S. has served as an institution both for acculturation and also for self and cultural assertion.
AFST *495.
Topics in Africana Studies.
(1-3 to a maximum of 24 Δ)
Explorations of a variety of advanced topics in Africana Studies.
AFST 497.
Advanced Community Organizing.
(1-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
This course serves as one of the possible capstone experiences for Africana Studies majors. Students engage in research and/or community projects.
AFST 498.
Research Seminar.
(3)
This course examines several types of research and mixed-methods as tools for understanding the role of theory, research, methods, and practice across disciplines related to Africana Studies.
