African American Studies
Department Chair:
Nathaniel Norment, Ph.D.
Undergraduate contact person:
Sonja Peterson-Lewis, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Director of Undergraduate Studies
Office location: 829 Gladfelter Hall
Telephone: 215 204-1996
Email address: Sonja.Peterson-Lewi@Temple.edu
The mission of the Department of African-American Studies is to provide
an intellectual arena in which students learn to critically examine,
analyze, and interpret the experiences, traditions, and dynamics of
peoples of African descent so as to be prepared to take roles of effective
agency, participation, and leadership in the intellectual, research,
and social activist domains of professional and community life. The
Department’s guiding philosophy is African-centered in that we
believe that mindful awareness of the social, cultural and historical
experiences of African peoples must inform and guide all viable research,
analysis, interpretation, and action directed toward people of African
descent.
The curriculum stresses the skills necessary to think critically, write
clearly, argue persuasively, and problem solve effectively. Students
are exposed to theory and research in a variety of subject areas and
are encouraged to engage in active research and service beyond the classroom.
Past AAS alumni have entered careers in primary and secondary education
and administration, social work and administration, research design,
law enforcement, city government, and have also worked with museums
and other cultural and artistic institutions. Others have entered graduate
studies in a variety of areas including law, the health-related professions,
public administration, and the social sciences.
The Department offers three internal awards for graduating seniors—two
privately sponsored awards for outstanding academic performance and
one departmental award for outstanding service. The Temple in Ghana
program, which allows students to study for six weeks during the summer
at the University of Ghana in Accra, operates out of the Department
of African American Studies.
Suggested Order of Completion of the AAS Major
and Minor Requirements. Minors are not required to complete AAS
398 Senior Seminar.
| Department |
Course
# |
Course
Name |
Semester
Hours |
Core
Indicator |
| |
| AAS
|
W051 |
Introduction
to African American Studies |
3
|
WI |
| AAS
|
0052 |
Introduction
to African Aesthetics |
3
|
|
| |
0100 |
African
Civilization |
3
|
|
| AAS |
0151 |
Mass
Media in the Black Community |
3
|
|
| AAS |
0155
See note #1 |
Introduction
to Research Methods (offered during Fall semester only).
See note #1 below. |
3
|
|
| AAS
|
W398
See note #1 |
Senior
Capstone Seminar (offered during Spring semester only.
Required for AAS majors only; not required for AAS Minors.
See note #1 below. |
3
|
WI
* |
| Note
1: Students should complete AAS 155 (Research Methods) during
the Fall semester-the only term in which it is offered--and should
immediately enroll in AAS W398 in the following Spring |
| Additional
Requirements for the Major and Minor |
| AAS
Majors |
Select
four (4) additional courses, two of which must be above the 100
level. Make these selections based on the content areas
in which you desire greater familiarity (e.g., AAS literature,
AAS social issues, AAS psychology, etc.). Two of these
four courses may be AAS-related courses outside the Department;
however, students must seek written approval from the AAS Undergraduate
Director prior to enrolling in outside courses that they want
to apply toward the AAS major. .
|
| AAS
Minors |
Select
two (2) additional courses, one of which must be above the 100
level. Make these selections based on the content areas
in which you desire greater familiarity (e.g., AAS literature,
AAS social issues, AAS psychology, etc.). One of these
two upper level courses may be AAS-related courses outside the
Department; however, students must seek written approval
from the AAS Undergraduate Director prior to enrolling in outside
courses that they want to apply toward the AAS minor. |
|
