STUDENTS
WHY STUDY AFRICAN AMERICAN AND AFRICAN STUDIES
The African American/African Studies major/minor is geared towards both the scholarly and the working world. Our major can be used in a broad array of fields, such as marketing; journalism; education; and the arts. In future we hope to establish internships for our majors, where they can apply their scholarly knowledge to a particular career.
Flexibility is a key characteristic of our program. African American/African Studies majors have a wide array of courses to choose from, and may also take courses in other departments as a way to fulfill electives in their major. Additionally, some of the courses in African American/African Studies may be taken for credit towards a major or minor in another department. The Department of African American/Studies is dedicated to giving our students the most expansive education possible, and for this reason we allow our students a range of course options, both from within and without the department. Several of our courses are also offered during the evening.
Thirty-nine credits are required for a major in African American/African Studies.
The following courses are required:
21:014:111, 112 -- Introduction to African American & African Studies
21:014:305 -- Black Women in the United States
21:014:306 – Comparative Race Relations
21:014:358 – Writers of Africa and the Caribbean
21:014:389 – Psychology and Values of the African-American
21:014:396 -- The African-American Community
21:014:412 -- Senior Seminar
Fifteen additional credits in electives are required for completion of the major.
The following electives are recommended:
21:014:220 – Black Political Thought
21:014:278 – Black Subcultures of the U.S.A.
21:014:302 – Special Topics in Black Studies
21:014:304 – Internship
Twenty-one credits are required for a minor in African-American/African Studies.
The following courses are required:
21:014:111,112 -- Introduction to African American & African Studies
Five African American and African Studies (014) electives (15 credits)
Johanna Ortner
African American and African studies Major
I came to Rutgers Newark in the fall of 2006 in order to pursue a degree in African and African American Studies. Growing up in Austria, I was always fascinated by African American history, and after studying African Studies at the University of Vienna for two years, I decided to transfer to Rutgers-Newark in order to gain a broader knowledge of the history of the African Diaspora. Studying at Rutgers for the past few years has been, without a doubt, the best experience of my life so far. Because the department here is smaller, it offers the great opportunity to stay in closer contact with faculty and build relationships, which are crucial factors if one wants to go on to graduate school or needs valuable advice from Professors. All the AFAM classes I have taken have helped me to gain great knowledge and I enjoyed every class here in the department. All of the Professors are excellent teachers and act as a supporting force for students. Prof. Holbrook stood out the most to me during my studies. I took many classes taught by Professor Holbrook and look up to him as a mentor.
All in all, I have enjoyed my studies in the African American and African Studies Department tremendously. In addition to the fact that one gains an invaluable amount of knowledge, the atmosphere and the friendly bond between students and faculty make one feel like part of a small family.
Matilda Williams
African American and African studies Major
I'm an African American woman, born in Newark, New Jersey in 1951. I have experienced the riots and Martin Luther King, Jr. visiting our high school in March of 1968. The school was South Side High in Newark, New Jersey. I chose this major because it is great to know our history and I can share what I know with others. I have learned so much about the history and culture of African Americans. From my first course which was Introduction to African American Studies to my present course, Black Political Thought, I knew that this was the major for me. All of the courses that I have taken have struck my interest. There is not one course that I did not like. I am so proud of my major. I work for the Montclair Public Library and the knowledge that I have learned from my courses keeps me constantly talking about my history. What a history from the beginning to now! What struggles we have had to endure and still have survived! After I get my Bachelor's Degree, I am planning on getting my Master's Degree in African History.
When I first started Professor Holbrook's class, I made a comment that I could not do this. Professor Holbrook said: Yes you can. The rest is history. Professor Holbrook is the best person and teacher a student can have. He makes learning our history so interesting and the class trip to the theatre is so helpful. Professor Holbrook takes his time with his students and you can tell that he cares. I give all of my credit to Professor Holbrook for keeping me in school and for keeping it real. He is an excellent professor. Also, Professor Price was another great person. My learning experience in his class was great since I grew up in Newark. Professor Price taught the history of Newark to our class and we were all spellbound by his voice and knowledge. It was an honor to be in his class. Professor Samatar gave me the most knowledge that I have ever gotten about South Africa. Great Professor! I would love to take another class with him. I also took Professor Atchison's class, African American HIV/AIDS. She was a great teacher, too. The younger professor brought on a newer way to learn and also brought new information about websites and articles.
My best experience as an African American and African Studies major was being able to learn about myself and my history. All of the staff have great personalities and the way they treat you is the most appreciated. I am going to feel so good when I pick up that diploma with my major: African American/ African Studies.
Khalil Muhammad
African American and African Studies Major with a Minor in Women's Studies
I've already gained a tremendous amount of knowledge and enhanced my personal wealth greatly. My BA is the definite goal, PhD possibly. I plan on working for and with my people and spreading the information this major has given me to the wider audience. I also plan on combining it with my minor and implementing both cohesively into my career. It's not a definite what that career will be, but if I can't find anything then I will make my own way with it.
The experience of being in the major is my best experience as an Af. Am. major. The ultimate experience will be when I graduate with a B.A. in Af. Am Studies.
I would like to see better promotion of this program, more involvement from its majors and minors, more activities held, internships required and paid, more office hours held by the professors, more courses offered, and more professors added!
Karen Peeples
African American and African studies Major
Goals: Elementary school teacher
I find that the courses offered in this department are beneficial for anyone who wants to learn about the history of blacks through the present time. Because I want to teach in the urban school districts, I find that this major is useful to me when dealing with the many concerns in the African American communities. While reexamining the diaspora of African descendants, I also spent a large amount of time researching African Americans and other minorities politically, economically and socially. Because I want to reach out to the youths growing up in the urban communities, teaching there will be a positive start.
For Admissions Information Contact:
Rutgers University-Newark
Office of Admission
249 University Avenue
Newark,NJ 07102-1896
973-353-5205
323 Conklin Hall, 175 University Avenue, Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: 973.353.5528, Fax: 973.353.1193